Reverend (Mrs.) Victoria Arinola Ajayi, born on Friday July 4, 1930 to Rev. Samuel Dada Kolawole an Anglican Minister and Mercy Yewande Kolawole (nee Akeredolu) of Usi-Ekiti, is the third of six children.
She had her early education at Kudeti Girls School (now St. Anne’s School), Ibadan from 1944 -1946. Thereafter, she acquired professional education as a Teacher in the United Missionary College (UMC), where she obtained her Grade II Certificate in 1949. She started her teaching appointment in January 1950, in a special finishing school in Akure (Ondo Province), an Anglican School for young ladies being groomed as potential spouses to missionaries, pastors, catechists, etc. In January 1952, she was transferred to The Teacher Training College, Owo where students were prepared for their Grade II and Grade III Certificates.
Educating Young Minds
A seasoned educationist, focused visionary and committed Christian, she saw that the vision of ‘affordable quality education built on strong moral and scriptural principles for young minds to ‘overcome life challenges in an ethical manner’ was maintained.
London City Council
In September 1954, she left for England on scholarship in Education under the Ondo Province. In England she attended the C.F. Mott Teacher Training College (an affiliate College of The University of Liverpool). At the end of her course of study, she secured a teaching appointment under the London County Council, where she worked until she returned to Nigeria in January 1959.
Back Home In Nigeria
Back home in Nigeria, after having fulfilled the conditions of the employment bond to the Western Region, she worked as a teacher first at The Lagos Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, then at The Government Demonstration School and finally at The Government Teacher Training College, now College of Education, Ijanikin. She worked several years in The Voluntary Agency, The Anglican Mission and Government Agencies, she decided to launch out and founded Yewande Memorial School. With her constant presence in the life of the school, even in retirement, she ensured that the same virtues upon which she built a solid foundation were preserved.A seasoned educationist, focused visionary and committed Christian, VAA, with the help and Grace of Almighty God, saw that the vision of ‘affordable quality education built on strong moral and scriptural principles for young minds to overcome life challenges in an ethical manner’ was maintained.
Selfless Service To Humanity
She was a former Chairman of Private School Owners’ Association, (Surulere Chapter); a past Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of Prison Fellowship Nigeria (serving 3 terms) and a former Member of the Advisory Committee of the Prerogative of Mercy (Lagos State). She was a Lagos State Justice of the Peace.
Transition
She transited into Glory on Wednesday October 18, 2017 at the age of 87 years.
May the souls of Mercy Yewande Kolawole and Victoria Arinola Ajayi continue to rest in perfect love and peace.