Mama Umo Balogun
Mama Umo Balogun is among the unique set. Mama Balogun turns 79 today, May 27, 2023. It is only befitting that mama was born on May 27, a day set aside to celebrate children every year globally. Widely regarded as a “mother to all,” she has always been a lover of children. She devoted her career to teaching children and preparing them for the future. Many who know her testify she was very good at teaching.
Mama Balogun has received praises and prayers from friends and family. In a birthday message on Saturday, Mrs Bisola Ayeni described the celebrant as a “mother to all” who is “highly magnanimous in nature.”
Mrs. Ayeni joined friends and family to pray for more healthy years for the septuagenarian.
“Beloved, join me to celebrate our revered mother, a doyen of this dispensation, divinely endowed, mother to all without discrimination, a unique personality, a teacher to the core and by profession, highly magnanimous in nature, simplicity personified,” she wrote.
“She speaks English impeccably with a very good diction. All these encomium are for no other person than MAMA UMO BALOGUN as she adds another year today in the land of the living. No wonder it’s the children day.
“It’s my prayer that the Lord will renew your strength and grant you more healthy years . God will increase His grace in your life. Continue to age with greater grace.
“Happy birthday anniversary to our wonderful mentor , counselor, mother and friend. Cheers to more.”
Known for her excellent diction and masterful command of the English language, Mama Balogun was born in Calabar, Cross River State, southern Nigeria, on the 27th of May 1944. She is the first of five children born to Chief and Mrs. E. A. EneObong. Her father, a civil servant worked with the Post and Telegraphs Department (later known as NITEL) and her mother was a primary school teacher.
Being civil servants meant that the family moved around a lot, so Mama Balogun lived with her grandmother, who nurtured her, in her early years.
She attended Duke Town Primary School, Calabar for her primary education between 1950 – 1957 and went off to Union Secondary School, Ibiaku, Ikot Ekpene from 1958 – 62, then proceeded to Arch Deacon Crowther Memorial Girls School, Elelenwa from 1963-64 for her Higher School Certificate (HSC).
She moved West to attend the University of Ibadan where she studied English Language in 1965. Studying in Ibadan was an extremely new experience as this was her first time outside the South-South; the language was different, the food was different and most crucially, the Nigerian civil war had broken out which practically cut her off from her family for the most part of her undergraduate years.
After graduating from the University in 1968, Mrs. Balogun got a teaching offer in Molusi College, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, and with prompting from a friend, accepted the job. On a sunny day in June 1968, armed with all her belongings and a determination to succeed, she arrived the small town which unknown to her at the time would become her home.
She met and married Mr. Olatunde Balogun, a ‘son of the soil’, the ‘Lion Son Merchant’, erstwhile principal and former student of Molusi College. (Olatunde Balogun with college number 57 was one of the pioneer students to enroll in Molusi College in 1949).
After serving as a teacher in Molusi College for 4 years, Mama Balogun transferred to Ijebu Girls Grammar School for one month before she was transferred to Anglican Girls Grammar School Abeokuta.
After about a year, she transferred to Government College, Ketu and then Government College, Ikorodu when her husband served as pioneer principal in the newly founded Government College, Ikorodu.
In July 1979, Mama Umo Balogun returned to Molusi College as a classroom teacher when her husband retired and returned home. She continued there as a classroom teacher and later Acting Vice Principal after which she was transferred to Sopen Comprehensive High School as Principal in September 1981.
In September 1983, she was transferred to Molusi College as Principal. During the 12 years spent in Molusi College as Principal, Mrs. Balogun put everything she had into the development of the students and the school.
Mama Umo Balogun
With the help and support of the teachers, parents, the Old Students Association and the Community, the school rose to be one of the best in many spheres competing at state level in Mathematics, Science, Sports and Essay and Debating competitions.
In her tenure, the boarding school, which attracted students from far and near was revived bringing diversity and inclusion to the community.
In 1995, there was a mass transfer of principals and she was transferred yet again to Ijebu Igbo Girls’ Grammar School where she served until forced retirement in March 2001. The Government had at the time conducted a “rationalisation exercise,” which mandated retirement on many school principals and teachers.
However, because of Mama Balogun’s immeasurable contributions to the growth and success of the school, she was issued a contract appointment by the Ogun State government to stay on as principal; a position she held from September 2001 till September 2003.
During her stay in Ijebu Igbo Girls’ Grammar School, she had the opportunity to bring the school up to such an enviable standard; that one of her colleagues said she had the “magic wand to revive ailing schools.”
Mama Umo Balogun
After her final retirement in 2003, she left public life to fully face her private life with her husband Mr. Olatunde Balogun who sadly, passed away in July of 2011.
They had both lived together happily and raised their children together – all of whom are proudly ex-Molusians too.
The Management of Eko Hot Blog, leading Lagos-based media organisation, wishes Mama Balogun a happy birthday as she adds another year to her many fruitful years on earth. May the rest of mama’s life be spent in perfect health and complete peace.
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