As you read this,she is in celebration mood.It is her 50th,but Fela Osibogun does not look her Golden age.She looks refreshingly young,so young that she can conveniently cut off a few years from her age and you won’t know.
She has this sweet look that gives her a beautiful outlook.And she dresses well.She is stylish in her ways.
Fela who lives in Dublin,is a Civil Servant.She works with the Health Service Executive (HSE).She is an Accounts person with HSE.
A few days ago,Citypeople Publisher,Seyekehinde spoke to this stunning beauty about her new life on the fifth floor.Below are excerpts of the interview.
Tell us about your life,like growing up years,and birth…
Let me start by saying I was born In Ijebu-Ode, on the 16th of August 1972 into family of Otunba O .A Osibogun (The Otunba Ajana of Ijebu Land) and Chief Mrs Bisi Osibogun (The Iyalode of Ijebu Land).
I grew up in Bodija GRA,in Ibadan, where my father was a senior civil servant with the old Western region. I moved to Abeokuta in 1976 with my parents when Ogun State was created and my late father became the 1st Permanent Secretary to Governor’s office, under Major General Saidu Ayodele Balogun. I grew up in Ibara GRA Abeokuta…our house now houses the “Iwe Iroyin”, beside Chief Shonekan’s House(The interim Persident of Nigeria in 1993).
Wow! How about schools attended?
I attended St Bernedette Private Nursery and Primary school, Ibara Abeokuta, where I finished my primary school.
I started my Secondary school at Ijemo Titun Secondary school in 1982.
When My Dad retired in 1984 as a State permanent secretary , he got a Federal appointment as the 1st Public Complaint Commissioner for Ogun State. He then moved us his family to our home town, Ijebu-Ode.
I attended Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School Ijebu-Ode, from 1984 to 1988.
I had my Tertiary education at Ogun State University in 1990 , 1st as a medical student , then I later changed my course to Microbiology because I wanted to work in an oil company , because as at that time Doctors were poorly paid.
I completed my Degree programme in Microbiology with a secondary class higher honours( 2-1) in 1994….
I did my mandatory 3weeks youth service in the Wailo camp in Bauchi State and redeployed to Lagos State.
I did my 1year youth service Corp with Shell petroleum Development Company 21/22 Marina, after my service year I was retained as a permanent staff ,a job I held till I relocated abroad in 2001.
In all, I thank God for my parents for providing a great conducive home front for my junior sister and I to grow up in….My childhood was great….I also thank them for investing in our education….God bless them for us…Continue to rest in peace Dad.
Tell us about mum and dad….
My Parents are Late Otunba O.A Osibogun, the Otunba Ajana and Chief Mrs Bisi Osibogun, the Iyalode of Ijebu Land.
My parents were senior civil servants till they retired, Dad 1st as a state permanent secretary of parastatals in Ogun State….it was when he was the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Fiance that the Ogun State Hotels were built…both in Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode….the Ota one was in the pipeline when he moved to another Ministry.
He retired as a Permanent Secretary in 1984 and was immediately given a Federal government appointment as Ogun State 1st Public Complaint Commissioner in 1984 till 1989.
My Mum as a senior civil servant was a Senior Matron of various teacher training colleges within Abeokuta.My mum is a trained Caterer.She was transferred to Ijebu.When we moved back home, she worked in Ijebu Land till her retirement.
My parents were much in love , which they showered on my sister and I,as well.They were so accommodating, reasons we had so many, NOW prominent people,lived with us at our Ibara GRA residence.Both were givers.
In my 1st year,he chose to sponsor about 10 students till they graduated.He didn’t tell me till they all graduated and I only got to know when one of them came to say thank you. He was the only one that came to say thank you out of the ten,but my Dad was okay with that, infact he was embarrassed that he even came.(Smiles).That is the kind of dad I have.
Both my parents were incorruptible civil servants,and that is the goodwill that lives with their names till date.
My Mum was and is still the disciplinarian. Both of them prepared me for living abroad without us knowing….Thank you Mum and Dad…
I am now a Civil servant abroad….daughter of Civil Servants (smiles).
They were happily married for over 44 beautiful years before my Dad joined the Saints on the 21st of April 2014.
To My Mum that continued Dad’s legacy…I say kudos and thank you Ma…May Integrity and honour never depart from our Family In Jesus Name .
What has life taught her @ 50?
I can only thank God Almighty for all…My beautiful upbringing…These 2 important factors helped shaped me and prepared me for life lessons or happenings (may not all).
Life at 50yrs has taught me to hold on tight to God…keep your circle small and clean…respect yourself and others…keep a low profile and let your achievements speak for you…strive to be the better version of your yester-years…A GOOD NAME IS BETTER THAN GOLD AND SILVER
Only your honest hand work are blessed by God…do not judge others…love your family
IN ALL THINGS PUT THE LOVE AND FEAR OF GOD 1ST …and thank Him for all.
You are very Stylish.How did this aspect of you evolve over time?
I got it from my parents…especially my Mum…She is so fashionable that The Awujale bestowed on her the Chieftaincy title of Yeyemeso of Ijebu Land in early 1980s, before she became the Iyalode of Ijebu Land.
But let me add that I love fashion…I love it classy and neat…I love dressing up…but I don’t like going to parties.(Smiles).
Tell us about life in Dublin.When did you relocate?
I moved abroad in 2001 to have my baby.My plan then was to go back to my work in Nigeria after delivery. But the rest is story.
I accredited my Microbiology Degree here in Ireland with the National Academy Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) by them calling for my transcripts from Ogun State University in Nigeria (now Olabisi Onabanjo University).And it was found to be the same standard as the 8th level(University level) in Ireland. I then faced the Medical Assessment Board of Ireland, in which I was to do just 3months adaptative internship in an HSE laboratory. But in those years HSE had capped employment …so I went back to school to study Bookkeeping (manual and computerised) and I got a job with it with the Louth Council.In between it I started my ACCA professional exams…I worked as as an account person with Louth Council for many years…before joining HSE where I am till date as an Administrator.
Tell us about your beautiful daughter….
Oh I am blessed with a beautiful 21year- old daughter, Brunelle…
