Today, family, friends, colleagues, associates and loved ones gather in solemn remembrance of a remarkable woman, Alhaja Shakirat Olajumoke Fowosere (née Adams), who passed away on 13th August 2026 at the age of 59.
As her loved ones mark her 41st-day remembrance, memories of her life, accomplishments, sacrifices and contributions come flooding back. While her physical departure has created an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, the legacy she left behind continues to live on through her family, her students, her colleagues and the many lives she touched during her earthly journey.
Alhaja Shakirat Olajumoke Fowosere was a royal gem from the ancient soil of Ijebu Itele, Ijebu East Local Government, Ogun State. She was born on 31st October 1966 into the prestigious royal lineage of Prince and Mrs Abdul Fatai Adebisi of the Amoyegeso Ruling House, Idewon-Fidi Pote Mole, Ijebu Ode.
Born into royalty, she carried the dignity and heritage of her lineage with grace, but her life’s accomplishments went far beyond her royal ancestry. She distinguished herself through education, hard work, service to humanity, devotion to family and an unwavering commitment to the development of others.
Her journey began with a strong educational foundation. From 1973 to 1978, she attended Christ Central School, Ilupeju, Palm Groove, where she received her early education. She proceeded to Ilupeju Grammar School, Oshodi, from 1979 to 1983, further laying the foundation for the remarkable woman and professional she would become.
Driven by a passion for knowledge and service, she continued her academic journey at the African Church Teachers’ College, Ifako, where she studied between 1984 and 1987. She subsequently attended the Federal College of Education, Osiele, from 1987 to 1990.
Her quest for knowledge did not end there. In 2002, she attained another significant academic milestone at the University of Lagos, thereby further strengthening her intellectual and professional capacity.
For Alhaja Shakirat, education was not merely a personal pursuit. It was a means of empowering others and contributing meaningfully to society. This conviction eventually led her to the noble profession of teaching, where she devoted more than three decades of her life to shaping lives and building generations.
On 28th October 1992, she joined the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, beginning what would become a long and distinguished career in education.
Her first major posting was to Obele Community School, Randle, Surulere, where she served from 1992 to 2003. For 11 years, she contributed to the education and development of students, imparting not only knowledge but also values and discipline.
In 2003, she moved to AUD Grammar School, Randle, Surulere, where she continued her professional service until 2009. Her commitment, experience and dedication to the teaching profession continued to distinguish her throughout this period.
On 14th September 2009, she rose to another stage of her career when she proceeded to the Education District IV Headquarters. There, she continued her service in the CCS&T Department, where she served with distinction.
Across more than three decades of professional service, Alhaja Shakirat remained committed to the transformation of lives through education. Her career was not simply about occupying a position or earning a livelihood; it was about answering a calling.
She understood the profound responsibility entrusted to educators. She knew that every student represented a future, and that the words, guidance, discipline and encouragement of a teacher could influence the direction of a young person’s life.
Through the years, she therefore became much more than a teacher. She became a builder of generations.
Her contribution may not always have been accompanied by public recognition or grand ceremonies, but the impact of a dedicated educator is often seen in places far beyond the classroom. It is found in the lives of former students, in the achievements of colleagues she worked with, and in the values passed from one generation to another.
Alhaja Shakirat was a woman of many beautiful identities.
She was a royal daughter whose heritage was a source of dignity.
She was a passionate teacher who devoted more than three decades to education.
She was a visionary leader who approached her responsibilities with dedication.
She was a wife who shared the responsibilities and experiences of family life.
She was a mother whose love, guidance, discipline and sacrifices helped shape her children.
She was a grandmother whose presence brought warmth and affection to her grandchildren.
And she was a friend, colleague and associate whose life touched many people in different ways.
At home, she was a pillar of her family. Her role as a wife and mother extended far beyond providing for the material needs of those around her. She was a source of guidance, affection, discipline and support.
Her children and grandchildren were among the greatest beneficiaries of her love and nurturing spirit. The values she imparted to them and the example she set through her own life will remain part of her enduring legacy.
Her professional colleagues also knew her as a woman who understood the importance of commitment and responsibility. She approached her career with seriousness and dedication, giving a significant part of her adult life to the Lagos State education system.
The story of Alhaja Shakirat Fowosere is therefore a story of a woman who spent her life building.
She built through education.
She built through service.
She built through motherhood.
She built through relationships.
She built through leadership.
And she built through the countless lives she influenced directly and indirectly.
Her death on 13th August 2026 brought to an end a remarkable 59-year earthly journey, but it did not bring an end to the impact of her life.
For those who knew her, grief may remain painful, but so too will remain the memories of her laughter, her words, her counsel, her kindness, her professional dedication and her love for family.
Today, 41 days after her passing, we do not remember Alhaja Shakirat only because she died. We remember her because she lived — and she lived a purposeful life.
We remember the little girl who began her educational journey at Christ Central School, Ilupeju, Palm Groove.
We remember the student of Ilupeju Grammar School, Oshodi.
We remember the aspiring educator who passed through the African Church Teachers’ College, Ifako, and the Federal College of Education, Osiele.
We remember the graduate of the University of Lagos.
We remember the young professional who joined the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission on 28th October 1992.
We remember the teacher who served at Obele Community School, Randle, Surulere, from 1992 to 2003.
We remember the educator who continued her service at AUD Grammar School, Randle, Surulere, from 2003 to 2009.
We remember the dedicated professional who proceeded to the Education District IV Headquarters on 14th September 2009 and continued her service in the CCS&T Department.
We remember the wife.
We remember the mother.
We remember the grandmother.
We remember the royal daughter.
We remember the teacher.
We remember the woman whose life was devoted to service and the transformation of others.
Her story reminds us that a meaningful life is not measured only by the number of years lived, but by the lives touched, the values imparted and the legacy left behind.
Alhaja Shakirat Olajumoke Fowosere leaves behind her husband, children and grandchildren, as well as relatives, colleagues, friends and associates who will forever cherish her memory.
To her husband, children and grandchildren, her absence is a loss that words cannot adequately describe. Yet, in the midst of the grief, there is comfort in knowing that she lived a life of purpose and left behind a legacy worthy of honour.
To her colleagues in the education sector, her passing is the loss of a committed professional who devoted more than three decades to the service of education.
To her extended family, she remains a cherished member whose royal heritage, character and accomplishments brought honour to the family.
To her friends and associates, she remains a treasured memory and a woman whose presence made a difference.
As we mark her 41st-day remembrance today, we celebrate not just the life she lived, but the legacy she left.
We celebrate a woman who demonstrated that royalty is not only about lineage, but also about character.
We celebrate a teacher who understood that education is one of the most powerful ways of changing lives.
We celebrate a mother whose love and sacrifices will continue to resonate through her children.
We celebrate a grandmother whose memory will remain precious to her grandchildren.
We celebrate a professional who gave more than three decades of dedicated service.
We celebrate a woman whose life was a testament to grace, grit, dignity, service and unwavering commitment to the transformation of lives through education.
Although she is no longer physically present, her story will continue to be told.
Her family will tell it.
Her colleagues will tell it.
Those she taught will tell it.
Those who knew her will tell it.
And through those stories, the memory of Alhaja Shakirat Olajumoke Fowosere will continue to live.
She came from a royal lineage, but she earned respect through her character.
She became a teacher, but her lessons extended beyond the classroom.
She became a mother, but her nurturing influence reached beyond her immediate family.
She became a grandmother, leaving memories that will remain precious to another generation.
She served for more than three decades, leaving behind a record of dedication to education and humanity.
Today, we mourn her absence, but we celebrate her life.
We remember her service.
We honour her sacrifice.
We cherish her memories.
And we pray for the repose of her soul.
May Almighty Allah forgive her shortcomings, accept her good deeds, reward her years of service to humanity, illuminate her grave, grant her peace and admit her into Al-Jannah Firdaus.
May Almighty Allah grant her husband, children, grandchildren, relatives, friends, colleagues and all those who mourn her the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
May the beautiful memories of her life continue to comfort those she left behind.
May the values she lived by continue through her family.
May the lives she touched continue to bear the fruits of her labour.
And may her legacy as a royal daughter, a teacher, a mother and a builder of generations endure for many years to come.
Alhaja Shakirat Olajumoke Fowosere (née Adams), a royal gem, a teacher, a mother and a builder of generations — your earthly journey has ended, but your legacy lives on.
May Allah grant you Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
