By Precious Adenle Feyisara Komolafe

Copyright independent

This week, the Excel-lence Hotel, Lagos, was transformed into a sanctuary of gratitude and dazzling cele-bration as the social calen-dar paused to honour a true icon: Mrs. Janet Mosunmo-la Ogunbiyi. The occasion was a dual milestone—her radiant 60th birthday and her triumphant retirement after 35 years of meritorious service to the Lagos State Teaching Service Commis-sion (TESCOM).

The air was thick with palpable joy and nostal-gia as a celebratory host, including devoted family, cherished friends, loyal colleagues, and countless former students, gathered to pay homage to the legend-ary mentor. The presence of these gathered generations was the ultimate testament to the profound impact of Mrs. Ogunbiyi’s life and dedication.

The honoree, glowing with grace, alongside her husband, Olusegun Ogun-biyi, took the podium and declared that teaching was “more than a job to me; it was a calling and a good experience.” This heartfelt remark captured the emo-tional core of the evening, confirming why she was instrumental in moulding countless lives and inspir-ing so many young minds to pursue excellence since beginning her career with TESCOM in 1995. Her grat-itude to God for the gift of life and the opportunity to shape young Nigerians shone through every word.

The celebration was also a deep tribute to the wom-an behind the remarkable career. Born on August 24, 1965, at Island Hospital, La-gos, to the late Mr. Michael Ibikunle and Mrs. Florence Adetola Otunla, and hailing from the Dagunduro fami-ly of Oke-Eso, Ilesa, Mrs. Ogunbiyi was celebrated for her enduring personal lega-cy: a devotion to faith, integ-rity, kindness, humility, and commitment to others.

As the evening unfolded, captured beautifully for the social pages by Precious Ad-enle and Feyisara Komolafe, the collective sentiment was clear. This was not a good-bye, but a grand “thank you” for decades of unwavering dedication. Mrs. Ogunbiyi now steps away from active service, leaves behind a golden trail of success sto-ries.

With a marriage blessed with four adult, thriving children, many wished Ogunbiyi continued joy, good health, and fulfilment in this new chapter. It was, simply put, a coronation for a queen of education.