Retired Headmistress Odunola Ayeni honoured at grand send-off ceremony in Ifon

Tuesday, October 13, 2026, was a day of glory and celebration for Mrs. Odunola Arike Ayeni (JP), retired Headmistress and Chairperson of the Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), as dignitaries and well-wishers from all walks of life gathered at St. John’s R.C.M. Primary School, Ifon, Osun State, for a befitting retirement send-off ceremony in her honour.

The event served as a joyous reunion of Mrs. Ayeni’s childhood friends, family members, schoolmates, professional colleagues and associates from various spheres of life.

It was a day of spectacular gratitude to God as the crowd joined her in praise singing and dancing, celebrating a teaching career that ended well.

Early Life and Education

Born on December 25, 1965, into the family of Pa Theophilus Ilesanmi Omole and Ruth Omole, both of blessed memory, Mrs. Ayeni hails from Ijebu Ijesa in the then Obokun Local Government Area, now Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State.

She began her elementary education at CAC Primary School, Latona, Osogbo, between 1971 and 1977, before proceeding to CAC Modern School, Gbomni, Osogbo, from 1977 to 1978. She thereafter attended Baptist Girls’ High School for her secondary education from 1978 to 1983.

In her quest for higher education, she gained admission to Divisional Teachers’ Training College, Ijebu Ijesa, where she studied between 1984 and 1987, earning her Grade II certificate. She furthered her education at Oyo State Polytechnic, Iree, where she obtained the National Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1994. Determined to reach the pinnacle of her profession, she proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, in 1999 and graduated in 2003 with a B.A. Ed. in English.

Illustrious Career

Mrs. Ayeni began her teaching career in October 1990 and served in the following schools:

· AUD Primary School, Ifon-Osun (1990–1998)
· Baptist Primary School, Ifon-Osun (1998–2003)
· CAC Primary School, Ifon-Osun (2003–2006)
· St. John’s Anglican Primary School, Ifon-Osun (2006)
· CAC Primary School, Ifon-Osun (2006–2009)
· Eleesi Community Primary School, Ifon-Osun (2009–2015)
· St. John’s R.C.M. Primary School, Ifon-Osun (2015–2016)

She rose through the ranks to become Assistant Headmistress at Eleesi Community Primary School, Ifon-Osun (2016–2017), and St. John’s Anglican Primary School, Ifon-Osun (2017–2018).