PEOPLE I ADMIRE

St Anne’s School, Molete Ibadan is the oldest female secondary school in Nigeria. It is fondly called Anzea.

In 1975 a group of girls aged 9 to 12 went through the rigours of common entrance and 2 separate interview sessions, one lasting 2 days. The top students and some who joined them over the course of the 5 years secondary school program, graduated in 1980. These are the Anzea Class of 80. They are all over the globe, from Lagos to London, New York to Toronto, Adelaide to Atlanta, Calgary to California, Chicago to Connecticut, Sagamu to Ibadan, Manchester to Maryland, Los Angeles to North Carolina, to Cape Town and everywhere in between. Did I mention that you can touch their love for each other and for GOD?

On February 24, 2015, Lola decided to form the group on WhatsApp, she had just visited Nigeria from her USA base and felt we needed a platform to be in constant touch. If only she knew! The first few days, most of the people she signed on didn’t sleep a wink. There was so much to catch up with. Imagine finally being in touch with people you had not seen in 35 years.  We laughed so much; members of our families had to protest for being left out.

On your birthday, messages start coming in the moment it is midnight and won’t stop till the middle of the day after.  Cough, everybody else catches a cold. You are sure that they have your back if nobody else does.

So, ladies and gentlemen allow me to introduce to you the girls of Anzea Class of 1980

Meet Lola, the initiator, an African queen, promoter of arts, artists and artisans, her business has been voted the best business in her area for the past few years. It was even featured in the cultural awareness to follow in the wake of “Black Panther” Who knows, she may have an outlet in Wakanda!!

 

AlabaO, an administrator, change facilitator, and community volunteer, how she finds the time to bake those delicious cupcakes beats my imagination.

BolanleT, a college professor in Social Linguistics, self-effacing, devotes her weekends to the Bible Club she runs for children of various ages. Josephine, lawyer, accountant and a woman of many parts, I swear, she is funnier than Ellen.

 

 

 

 

Mama Gab, health aficionado, exercise instructor, and high school principal. Very funny, yet so serious, I mentally put my hands behind my back and stand up straight when talking to her. YetundeO, a high court judge in the making, has a such unbelievably sharp wit. BolaO, a Customer Service practitioner, is a firm believer in the injunction of CHRIST that we should help the sick, the hungry and those in prison. Osen, class matron/shepherdess, farmer/entrepreneur, calls up all and every one no matter where you are on the surface of the earth.

Calm, easy-going Ranti, a blessing any day. BisolaA, class president, travel consultant per excellence, the set’s social prefect and still is a social butterfly, focused entrepreneur.  Bisi, an entrepreneur, go-to person, always willing to help, and always putting herself out.

 

 

 

BimboM, a fine mama, a lawyer, with a core of steel and DerinO, a lawyer, an accountant, with cast iron resolve. No wonder they make a perfect team.  Queens of intrigues and escapés, Jane Bond 007 and 008.

BimboO, Tito, Dupe, Bosola, Pastors and Pastors’ wives. Bimbo, Nurse, counsellor and partner in getting the group in stitches, Tito, a teacher and Bosola, a nurse. All patient, calm, entrepreneurs. Dupe, AGM in NIPOST, a healthy living enthusiast, hasn’t changed her dress size in 39 years.

 

Ikeoluwa, homemaker with a dry sense of humour and Ama think so much alike, they almost always say the same things. Joyin, speaks impeccable English, no wonder she is a director of a few Kumons. YemisiN, Software Consultant, she will win “think you can dance” any day.

  

Simidele, Beatrice, lawyers, Lanre, BimboN, Aramide, YetundeB, ageless babes. They don’t look a day older than 16.

 

Funke, Bose, Yemi, FunmiO , FunmiD, and doctors in the house. Funke, the entrepreneur, gets things done without any fuss, and has a heart of pure gold. Bose, Consultant Psychiatrist of repute.  Yemi, a gentle, kind, pure soul. Funmi, she of many parts, Pastor, Pastor’s wife, entrepreneur and a total inspiration.

Nike, lawyer, charitable, hospitable, people person, entrepreneur. BolaA, Pharmacist, vulnerable yet very strong, kind-hearted and warm.  Tosin, an HR expert, mentor, and fashionista, is definitely ageless. BimboN, Chemical Engineer, resilient, organiser.  Taiwo and Kehinde, twins, as different as two individuals can be, like but so different. TosinO, lawyer, Pastor, and events planner of repute. Emma, Administrator, is as African as anybody else, despite her impeccable English. Joke, and Bolaji are the quiet ones. ShadeL, Pharmacist, easygoing.

Biodun, Nurse Matron with such beautiful hair. Ayo, a clinical audiologist with a keen sense of humour, it’s safe to assume that she stopped ageing at 25.

Toun, Occupational Therapist, with the dimples and a bigger sense of humour. Kind-hearted, the life of the party, there is never a dull moment with this one. FunmiA, Chief Citizen, Adviser, quiet, private person

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BolanleO, was a Teacher before becoming a Nurse, gentle, quiet, and warm, she Pastors a Church with her husband. Moji and her husband Dele work with entrepreneurs to be the best versions of themselves as a step towards elevating poverty globally. They are a such a power couple that home-schooling their four children right through high school was a breeze. Freddy, a lawyer, quiet, good friend.

Foluke and Folusho, are two peas in a pod. Can tell where the other person is always. Think alike, talk alike, top Civil Servants. BunmiO, Banker, and entrepreneur, gives so much of herself.

    

Vicky, the entrepreneur, bakes the meanest cakes, and speaks French like a native.

Then there is Rosemarie, ma cherie, dedicated to the service of GOD and humanity, enabler, warm. She likes teaching, research and writing. She likes teaching, research, and writing loves meeting people and is a trav Ajala.

TokunboA, is ever willing to give a helping hand, fun to be with and up to date on the latest happening in the world.

Iyabo, spiritual leader, quiet, easygoing. Funto, college professor. Dele, tax consultant, quiet yet assertive. Peju is, Consultant, environmental hygienist, classy mama, and fashionista. FolukeO, Project Manager extraordinaire, human rights activist, and solutions provider. Kehinde, philanthropist, fundraiser, charity organizer, socialite, ageless.

Yinka, GIS Consultant, university lecturer, spiritual, attentive to details, fun to be with

  

Mope, lawyer, gentle soul.  YinkaO, caterer, chief host and the friend who watches out for you in all situations. NikeO- high school Principal, unassuming, high sense of humour. RonkeIKK, the lady with the triple barrel name, with the triple barrel sense of humour. Entrepreneur, whose dedication to family and sense of style is unique.

 

 

 

Our very dear Buki, a registered Nurse Anaesthetist, a round beautiful soul.

 

Its impossible to forget those who have passed, YemisiS, ShadeO, Idowu, NikeA, the two Margarets, and Tolu. May they continue to rest in peace.

And Feyikemi, a storyteller, certified coach, and business advisor with a dry sense of humour. There, now you know who we are, ladies so different, but not so different. Living life and overcoming their challenges, unified by the love shared, a common bond of being daughter, mother, wife and of course memories of their days in Anzea