Today, we are not in mourning but in reverent celebration — to honour a woman who was more than a name, more than a title. Her Excellency Ambassador Ibironke Adefope was an icon, an amazon, a giant in stature and soul — and to me, a dear mother – ‘Iya tooto’.
Her life was a radiant testimony to excellence, grace, and purposeful service. With every step she took — from boardrooms to diplomatic missions, from academic halls to advisory councils — she exuded an unwavering strength cloaked in humility. She didn’t merely exist in public life; she blazed a trail that lifted communities, nations, and generations. She was a woman of immense poise, power, and profound purpose.
Early Years and Education
Born in 1952 in Ibadan to the esteemed Vaughan and Akinloye Eegunjenmi families, Ambassador Adefope’s foundation was one of legacy and leadership. She attended St. Anne’s School in Molete and continued her studies at the International School, University of Ibadan. She would go on to earn undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the United States, establishing herself as a citizen of the world long before the term became fashionable.
A Diplomatic Force
From 1999 to 2003, she served Nigeria with distinction as High Commissioner to Zambia and Malawi under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. In those years, she became a beacon of Nigerian diplomacy — navigating complex regional relationships with clarity, compassion, and conviction.
A Pillar of Oyo State
Her service to Oyo State was equally monumental. In October 2023, Governor Seyi Makinde appointed her to the prestigious Oyo State Elders’ Council, a consultative body bringing wisdom to governance. She also served on the Oyo State Advisory Council, contributing to policy and strategic development at the highest level of state leadership.
One of her most enduring contributions was her involvement in the Oyo-Osun committee for LAUTECH. As a key advisor in the negotiation process to return the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology to sole ownership by Oyo State, she helped resolve years of inter-state impasse — reaffirming her lifelong belief in the transformative power of education. In 2022, LAUTECH honored her with a Doctor of Civil Law (Honoris Causa) in recognition of her immeasurable contributions.
Champion of Education and the Vulnerable
Her Excellency, Ambassador Ibironke Adefope was central to the excellence of Omolewa Nursery and Primary School in Ibadan. The school was founded by her mother, Chief (Mrs.) Gladys Aduke Vaughan, in 1962. Initially established as a nursery and kindergarten institution, it expanded to include a primary school in 1964 due to parental demand. The school began with eight children in a rented building at Awodi Oke, Orita-Mefa, Ibadan, and later moved to a permanent site nearby. Under Chief Vaughan’s leadership, the school flourished, and upon her retirement, Ambassador Adefope, trained as a public health specialist in America, took over its administration. Today, Omolewa School boasts modern infrastructure and approximately 1,000 pupils.
Ambassador Adefope’s involvement with Omolewa School was pivotal in its growth and success. Her leadership ensured the continuation of her mother’s legacy, providing quality education to generations of students in Ibadan. Her dedication to education extended beyond the school, as she also contributed significantly to public service and community development in Nigeria.
In 2019, she founded the IA-Foundation, a UK and Nigerian-registered non-profit focused on addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis. Her foundation has since become a force for educational equity, transforming the lives of countless children through scholarships, advocacy, and systemic change.
Her philanthropic leadership earned her the Exemplary Women of Excellence Award at the EPRA Leadership and Entrepreneurial Awards UK (2024) and an appointment as Treasurer and Board Member of StreetInvest, an international charity supporting street-connected children. She was also listed among the 100 Most Outstanding Nigerians in the Diaspora by Exemplar Magazine in 2023, and received the Excellence in Human Capacity Building Award at the Achievers Awards International in 2024.
A Matriarch, Mentor, and Model
To many, she was a stateswoman. To me, she was a mother — a constant wellspring of wisdom, warmth, and unwavering support. Whenever I had the privilege of being in her Bodija, Ibadan residence, everyone knew there was no telling when I would re-emerge because of the warmth and wisdom of her presence. I recall the last time we were together at my dear sister’s birthday celebration,even though we had spent the evening together, she kept asking; ‘where is Beulah? Mi o ri Beulah. – I have not seen Beulah’. She loved deeply and completely – a complete force of nature by herself. Gentle yet all-compassing. Her influence stretched far beyond her lifetime. Her children, including my dear brother Adebayo Adefope and daughter, my dear sister Omotara Adefope, exemplifies her values. Tara currently serves as the Director-General of the Due Process Office in Oyo State, ensuring transparency and accountability in government procurement. With a UK law degree and a Master’s in Corporate Governance and Ethics, Tara continues the legacy of upright leadership — dignified, diligent, and devoted. In May 2023, she was recognized at the Oyo International Business Summit for her outstanding contributions to governance — a testament not only to her own brilliance but to the powerful inheritance of her mother’s name and character.
Her Eternal Light
Ambassador Ibironke Adefope’s story is not just a record of achievements — it is a legacy written on the hearts of all she touched. Her greatness was not in grandeur, but in grace. Not in noise, but in her nurturing. Not in titles, but in the tireless love she poured into her people.
Her life and values reflected deep spiritual grounding and faith in God. She strongly believed in the importance of humility and trusting in God’s plan, stating, “Life has taught me that God is indeed the Master planner of our lives, just humble yourself and allow Him take control” . This perspective summarized her strong personal faith and reliance on spiritual guidance, which is a beacon for us.
She is not gone. Her light lives on — in classrooms where children now learn because of her vision, in boardrooms where women lead without apology, and in every leader, like myself, whom she nurtured with care, correction, and confidence.
Rest well, my Amazon. My icon. My mother. You have run your race with honor. Your legacy is now our guide.
