In her own words
My Story
Drawn from Margaret’s recorded recollections and the story she wrote about the lasting influence of Idi-Aba.
My beginnings
I was born on 24 October 1935, during one of my mother’s missionary journeys among Baptist women. In those days, women cared for one another through childbirth, and I was safely delivered in the home of one of the families she had gone to serve.
My mother was Elizabeth Ojuolaape Mofolasayo, née Fabunmi. She was herself an old student of Idi-Aba Baptist School. I had an older brother, Abiola, and a younger brother, Ademola. My earliest years changed suddenly when my mother passed into glory on 10 June 1940. I was four years and eight months old.
After her death, the love and concern of my American mentor, Miss Neal C. Young, brought me from Ekinrin in Kogi State to Abeokuta. I arrived at Idi-Aba in June 1940. I did not know then that the school would become my honoured home and shape almost every part of the woman I would become.
A home at Idi-Aba
I began in the kindergarten as a pre-school child. Our first lessons were gentle ones: walking around the compound, noticing the beautiful flowers and learning their names, playing with sand, listening to stories and singing. The Cottage was my first station, and the women there became mothers to us, especially to those of us who had lost our own mothers.
Discipline came with love. There was a time for rising, bathing, morning devotion, duties, meals, classes, rest, evening study and sleep. The older girls helped the younger ones to remain clean and tidy. As I grew, I moved from the Cottage to the main compound, Agbebi Memorial House, Lumbely Hall and eventually the College dormitory. Each new home brought greater responsibility.
“I remember her and joy swells in my soul. She gives me happy memories of my early years, courage for the present and hope for years to come. This is Idi-Aba to me.”
Learning for the whole of life
Idi-Aba attended not only to my academics, but also to my physical, social and spiritual well-being. We learnt to plan meals, shop carefully, cook, keep a home, lay a table properly and serve food with grace. We learnt cleanliness, order, moderation, independence and perseverance. During the dry season, when water was scarce, I learnt to make one bucket serve for washing clothes, bathing and still leave enough for other needs.
Music was always present. My teachers taught me songs in class and Sunday School, and choir rehearsals became a joy. I sang with the choir for four years. We made music on Saturday nights with large buckets and tins as drums. Years later, I composed a song for Idi-Aba because words alone could not express what the school meant to me.
Faith, confidence and service
My teachers made learning practical. They taught me to read aloud with expression and clarity, to speak in public, to listen to the radio news and to pay attention to the world around me. In the infirmary, I learnt how to care for sores, guinea-worm cases and people who were unwell. In worship, we lived as a family, asking God for forgiveness and closing with the song, If I Have Wounded Any Soul Today.
Through the Sunbeam, Girls’ Auxiliary and Women’s Missionary Union programmes, I learnt the Word of God in stages. Idi-Aba led me to the Lord Jesus Christ and taught me that my life belonged to Him. I learnt that there is grace in service and honour in serving faithfully.
Becoming a teacher
From kindergarten, I progressed through the primary and standard classes, then entered the preparatory class for teacher training. From 1952 to 1956, I trained as a Grade II teacher. After completing my training, I was posted as one of the pioneer teachers at Ife. The example of my own teachers remained with me throughout my working life: firm standards, careful preparation, compassion and a determination to bring out the best in every child.
I am grateful that many of my students went on to become successful in their careers and professions. The good heritage I received was never meant for me alone. I carried it into my classroom, my family, my church and every opportunity God gave me to serve.
A heritage carried forward
In later years, I continued to care for older people whenever a need arose. I also went into farming with my husband on a manageable scale, from planting through to the production of palm oil. My relationship with Idi-Aba continued throughout my life. I served as National Auditor of the old students’ association and as a member of the Think-Tank Committee for the school’s centenary celebration.
My family shares in the benefit and good heritage that I received at Idi-Aba. I give glory to God for the foundation laid by the missionaries and Nigerian teachers who raised, taught and loved me. God used them to prepare me for life, and through that training He continued to bless the work of my hands.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul.” Amen.
This autobiography has been lightly edited for clarity from Margaret’s own recordings and published recollections. Her family will continue to enrich it as further memories and photographs are gathered.