Diaspora Desk

Robotic Revolutionist Remi Willoughby at 70: A Scroll-Stopping Profile

Published

3 hours ago

Dec 11, 2024.

The excitement was palpable. Everyone sensed the thrills. Nostrils tickled with scents and spices. Tongues enlivened with lip-smacking cuisines.

The atmosphere pulsated with sparkles and delightful music. For River Oak in Houston, this day was anything but ordinary.

EDITOR’S PICKS

PDP Declares Ethiope East Federal Seat Vacant Following Ibori-Suenu’s Defection to APC
Retired Principals Call for Recognition and Better Welfare from Government
BREAKING: IGP Egbetokun Orders Major Shake-Up, Deploys New AIG to Lagos FCID Annex

It was Mrs. Oluremi Willoughby’s 70th birthday celebration.

Climbing seven stairs without any signs of cardiovascular deficiencies is a testament to God’s grace and mercy, not just a result of regular exercise.

Little wonder, the celebrant’s joy was impossible to ignore; it was contagious.

The Sixty Nine Restaurant was indeed a sight to behold on this occasion.

The performance of a live jazz artists added an extra layer to the ambiance of the venue, a perfect choice for celebrating a woman of substance – a legend in her own right, a fashionista in every sense, and the embodiment of class, taste, distinction, and compassion.

This modest yet jaw-dropping celebration is a reflection of the unassuming nature of the celebrant, a woman whose life cannot be summed up in a few words.

Sope Willoughby set the tone for the evening by acknowledging the presence of all family members, explaining the reason for the gathering, and outlining what to expect throughout the evening.

This exclusive celebration featured carefully thought-out seating arrangement, with the name of each guest on their respective table.

At this cordial gathering, reserved for family and close friends ahead of a grand celebration to come, the celebrant took a moment to express her heartfelt gratitude to God for bringing her this far in life, and she shared her deep appreciation for the unwavering support of her loved ones throughout the years.

The celebrant, Mrs. Oluremi Willoughby is an exceptional educator with over forty years of classroom wizardry under her belt.

She is a graduate of Texas A&M University, U.S.A, where she received her master’s degree (M.Ed.) During her career, she taught at Loyola College, Ibadan, Itolo Girls’ Grammar School, Lagos, and finally at the Grange School, before she relocated to the U.S.A with her family.

Mrs. Willoughby received all her training in educational robotics from the National Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

She taught an Introduction to Engineering class in the last thirteen years at Rice School, Houston, Texas, empowering her students with hands-on exploration of robotic technologies.

An astute robotics instructor, after twenty-three years in one of Texas’ largest school district, Mrs. Willoughby retired in June 2015 shortly after which she returned to Nigeria to share her expertise in the field of educational robotics.

Mrs. Willoughby is passionate about the opportunities that robotics education can offer students, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork; and she has dedicated her time to providing opportunities for schools to include robotics in their curricula.

She has groomed her students for several contests where they have dominated podiums and claimed trophies.

She has been the chaperone and mastermind of her students’ annual award-winning performances in international robotics competition since 2017.

Some of the alumni who have benefited from the opportunities provided by the robotics competition are in top universities across the world, some have graduated, working in high-profiled organization, and one of her alumni is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in biomedical engineering at John Hopkins University, USA.

Mrs. Willoughby’s thirst for knowledge knows no bounds, as she is currently in the final year of her doctorate program,specializing in early childhood STEM education.

Upon completing the program, she will join the exclusive 70-plus doctorate league.

She is the co-founder of Roboglobal Educational Consulting, a Lagos and U.S based company that specializes in training and curriculum development in the areas of educational robotics and introduction to engineering.

Mrs. Oluremi Willoughby’s life has been enriched by her relationships with her loved ones, including her grandmother, who significantly shaped her values and aspirations.

Married to Omooba Diran Willoughby for over 4 decades, a fusion that God blessed with wonderful children – Funmi, Sope,Mayowa – and two grandchildren.

She profoundly loves children, which is evident in her dedication to their education and well-being.

Despite her congested schedule, Mrs. Oluremi Willoughby has been deeply involved in various Nigerian and American organizations.

Over the past 70 years, she’s witnessed her community grow and thrive, taking pride in seeing the relationships she nurtured blossom into lasting connections.