Mrs. Juliana Olusheye to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Mrs. Juliana Bosede Ibitomi-Olusheye, a retired teacher and an evangelist, will on the 26th of June 2026, be honored with Ekinrin-Adde Lifetime Achievement Award.
Pastor Emmanuel Ajibola Ogungbuyi, the National Publicity Secretary of Ekinrin-Adde Community Development Association, disclosed this in a statement during the week.
Mrs. Juliana Bosede Ibitomi-Olusheye was born on 23 July 1950 into the family of Late Chief Timothy Aribido Atomode, the Olugbade of Ekinrin-Adde, of Oke Aofin in Otun Adde, and Late Mrs. Adefunke Deborah Atomode (née Aiyegbabe) of the Ibafin Clan, Otun Adde.
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She began her educational journey at Baptist Primary School, Ekinrin-Adde, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate. As a young girl filled with dreams and aspirations, she later moved to Ilorin to continue her education and pursue a brighter future. However, fate dealt her a difficult blow when she was involved in a serious accident that left her hospitalized for almost a year.
The unfortunate incident interrupted her plans and forced her return to the village. It was a life changing experience that could have discouraged many, but not Mrs Juliana.
Determined to rise above her challenges, she refused to allow the setback define her future. After her recovery, she enrolled at Kabba Teachers’ College, where she obtained the Teachers’ Grade II Certificate in 1986 while already serving in the teaching profession. At the time, the certificate represented one of the highest foundational qualifications required for teaching in primary and junior secondary schools in Nigeria.
Her passion for education and self development remained strong. Ten years later, she further enhanced her professional competence by obtaining the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) through a part time programme at the College of Education, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Mrs. Ibitomi-Olusheye dedicated over three decades of her life to the teaching profession. She began her teaching career in 1981 and served diligently until her retirement from the Universal Basic Education system in 2014.
Throughout her years in service, she taught in several schools within Ekinrin-Adde and neighbouring communities, including Model Primary School and Baptist Primary School, Ekinrin-Adde.
She was respected for her dedication, discipline, and commitment to nurturing young minds. Many of her former pupils still hold her in high esteem and continue to accord her the respect she deserves.
Her honesty, prudence, and exemplary financial discipline often earned her positions of trust within various groups and associations, where she frequently served as Treasurer.
Following her retirement, Mrs. Ibitomi-Olusheye channelled her energy into Christian service and entrepreneurship. Drawing from her deep knowledge of the Scriptures and passion for spreading the Gospel, she established the Holy Word Christian Bookshop, one of the few Christian bookstores within the community.
Through the bookshop, she provides Bibles, hymn books, motivational literature, church materials, Christian gifts, and other faith based resources that enrich the spiritual lives of many people.
A devoted member of Christ Apostolic Church, she is actively involved in Christian service from her youth. For decades, she has faithfully taught Sunday School, impacting lives through the teaching of God’s Word.
Her love for Christian ministry later inspired her to further her theological studies at Lightcom Theological School, where she was eventually ordained and conferred with the title of Evangelist.
Mrs. Juliana Ibitomi-Olusheye is widely known for her compassion and commitment to the welfare of widows and elderly women.
In 2011, she received what she described as a divine call to care for widows and aged women within the community. Being a widow herself, she understood firsthand the emotional and economic challenges many widows face.
What began as a modest outreach involving about one hundred women gradually evolved into a major annual community programme. By its 14th edition in 2025, the programme recorded an impressive attendance of 412 widows and elderly women, including participants from neighbouring communities.
Despite economic challenges and rising costs over the years, Mrs. Juliana Ibitomi-Olusheye remains steadfast in sustaining the initiative without interruption.
Every December, she continues to provide food items, clothing, cash gifts, and other forms of support to widows and elderly women.
More recently, the programme expanded to include medical outreach services with support from distinguished sons and daughters of the community, including Prof. Akinwumi.
Her selfless sacrifices, compassion, and outstanding contributions to the welfare of vulnerable members of society earned her the Lifetime Achievement Award.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JUNE 21ST 2026)
