This citation was read at the retirement party held in her honor when she "downed pen" from Holy Child College in 2007.
Chief Mrs. Marie-Therese Folake Sojinrin. Born on the 29th October, 1942, Chief Mrs. M.T.F. Sojinrin attended Mount Carmel Primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos (1948-1954) and St.Theresa’s College, Oke-Ade, Ibadan (1955-1961).
Her post-secorndary education began at the University of Ibadan (1963-1966) through Pitman Central College, London (1968-1970), the University of Lagos (1971-1972), as well as New York University (1976-1977).Most of her post-graduate education was sponsored on merit.
She obtained BA (Hons-English), Diploma in secretarial studies, PGD. Education and M.A. (Bus. Edu), in these institutions respectively.
Mrs. M.T.F. Sojinrin attended training courses on organization of Vocational Colleges at the International Lab our Organization Center in Turin, Italy (1981) and also at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry (1984). Her teaching and administrative experiences span a period of thirty-five years.During this time, she taught at St.
Matthew Secondary Modern School, Yemetu, Ibadan (1962-1963); Queen of Apostles Secondary School, Oluyoro, Ibadan (1966-1967); Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos (1969-1971) and Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka, Lagos (1972-1990). Her subjects were
English Language, English Literature, Typewriting and Office Practice. Her administrative appointments ranged from Head of Business Department (1976-1982) to Deputy Provost
(1982-1990) both of which were at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka. She served as Secretary Joint Consultative Committee on Education (1990-1993) and Deputy
Director, Education Support Services, Federal Ministry of Education (1993-1996).
Mrs.M.T.F. Sojinrin also served as Principal, Queens College, Lagos (1996-2001) and at our very own Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Lagos (2001-2007). Her position as Principal, Queens College (1996-2001) brought her into sharp focus as the following remarkable academic landmarks were recorded by the school :
* Best WAEC result nationwide – 1998.
* Best national female students’ result – 1998, 1999
* Best JSCE result among the Federal Government Colleges – 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
* Best Federal Government College SSCE result – 1997, 1998, 1999
An indefatigable “lobbyist”, Mrs. Sojinrin improved the school not only academically but in .several other ways. She campaigned tirelessly for the return of schools to missionaries and was the coordinator of the Return of Schools to Missionaries Project in the period before an administrator was appointed for each school.
* A 900-bed hostel was completed by the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWEN - Nigeria Chapter), PTA and Federal Ministry of Education.
* Fuel Dump constructed with assistance from a parent to solve fuel shortage
* PTA office and conference room built by the PTA
* Relaxation center for students built by Coca Cola
* Guidance and Counseling clinic with ten consulting rooms; a bookstore built by Ministry of Works.
*As Principal of Queens College, Mrs.M.T.F. Sojinrin initiated many programmes.Acculturation programme whereby SS2 students studying Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba visit Kano, Aba and Ipetumodu for two weeks to understand Nigerian culture at the grassroots.
* Queens College Old Girls Association and PTA were encouraged to give scholarships annually to at least four indigent students.
* Established TV cable network for students and staff and connected the school to the internet with money generated by the school.
* Established Queens College Public Relations Unit to enhance the image of the school within and outside the school.
* Set up a center for Educational Technology to assist teachers with effective
presentation of lessons.
* Created the students Banking System with the use of paper money to reduce the
incidence of stealing.
*Instituted Female Football competition sponsored by Ecobank.
* Instituted Inter-School chess competition sponsored by Nigerian Breweries.
* Introduced the following:
- Q.C. School shoes
-Q.C. Jackets
- Q.C. Badge to differentiate day students from boarders.
* Started the Queens College staff cooperative society which now assists the staff with loans for their personal projects.
Mrs. M.T.F Sojinrin’s sojourn in Holy Child College also recorded significant successes.
* In 2002, the school won 3rd place in the Cadbury State Quiz and Debate competition.
The students have won at least one debating competition in each term from 2002 to date.
* In Visual Arts, Holy Child College has won at least two competitions in each term to date.
* In 2006, the school came 2nd in Mathematics during the state-wide competition
organized by Mathematics Association of Nigeria and 10th in the Cowbell Maths
Competition for Junior School in 2005.
* In Music, the college has come1st about 10 times in The Choral Competitions organized twice a year by Muson.
* In Sports, the College Relay Team is known as the fastest among Lagos secondary schools.
* The college has won at least 10 essay competitions in the past two years.
* The Cultural Society also excelled in competitions.
* Four of the students have been given scholarships by the U.S. Consulate for preparatory courses for admission into universities.
Apart from the above notable successes, activities designed to bring parents, students, teachers, old girls and the community together were introduced in Holy Child College (2001-2007).
* Annual Inter-House Sports competition* Christmas Carol Day
* Annual Bazaar (fundraising)
* International speech/prize-giving day
* Valedictory Mass and Graduation ceremonies, In addition, the school journal, ‘The
Cornelian’; a handbook for parents as well as a newsletter each term have been introduced.
Mrs .M.T.F. Sojinrin belonged to professional associations in an executive capacity. She was
2nd National Vice-President of the Nigerian Association of Business Education (NABE; 1987-1990). She also served as the secretary to the Forum for African Women
Educationalists (FAWEN; Nigeria Chapter: 1996-2001).
Apart from this, she was member of the Governing councils of the Universities of Ilorin (1990-1993) and Ibadan (1993-1996) as well as the Governing Board of National Library (1993-1996).
Her excellence was rewarded as evidenced by the numerous awards she received over
the years.
* Federal Ministry of Education’s Merit Award (1996) as best Deputy Director in the
Ministry that year. Catholic Laity Award (1998)
* Mainland LGA Lagos State Merit Award (August 2000) as Principal of the best
secondary school in the local government.
* Women Rotary Award for the Career Woman of Excellence from Rotary District 9110
Nigeria (2001)
* Role Model Award (2005-2006) given by Lion’s International District 404a.
Mrs. M.T. F. Sojinrin’s expertise enabled her perform national assignments in which she
was a member of Dr. Abel Guobadia’s committee for the upgrading of some Colleges of
Education and Polytechnics to degree awarding status.
She was also a member of Olu Aina’s Committee on Technical Teacher Education in
Nigeria. Her love for culture is aptly demonstrated by the chieftaincy titles she received:
* “Ashipa Iya Ewe” from Olubadan, Oba Ashanike in 1990
* “Osi of Iya Ewe” by Alaiyeluwa, Oba Dr.Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, Karunwi III, the Hostile Oke-Ona Egba, Sapon, Abeokuta for her achievements at Queens College.
A benevolent, versatile and committed personality, Chief Mrs. M.T.F. Sojinrin has proved that in our daily jobs, we can astonish others and even ourselves by our efforts. May the good Lord bless her and her family as she has blessed so many families in Nigeria.
By Hcc Oga
