Odusola Bows Out in Style: A Legacy of Service, Compassion and Impact
It was a day of colour, emotion, and resounding tributes as Bishop Princess Oluseyi Oluwakemi Odusola drew the curtain on her distinguished public service career in a celebration that blended dignity with heartfelt festivity.
From the very entrance of the hall, the atmosphere was electric. Women’s groups and non-governmental organisations surged forward in admiration, surrounding the celebrant with songs, gifts, and rhythmic dance steps. Their joy was unmistakable.
The retirement of the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Bishop Princess Oluseyi Oluwakemi Odusola, was a thanksgiving for a life poured into service.
Inside the hall, a lighter moment unfolded as some of her close colleagues took to the stage to mimic her, playfully re-enacting her signature traits, leadership style, and memorable habits. Laughter rippled through the audience, a testament to the deep personal connection she shared with those she led.
Clad in an elegant white Aso Oke adorned with intricate embroidery and shimmering stones, Odusola moved with regal poise. Each step she took was accompanied by music and admiration, as she danced gracefully, embodying both celebration and fulfilment.
Delivering a keynote message at the hall, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Bosede Osamaye, charged public servants to embrace diligence and integrity, reminding them that “the legacy they leave behind will always speak for them.” She described Odusola as a rare gem, an officer whose career was marked by selflessness, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others.
“Her leadership was motherly yet firm,” Osamaye noted. “She guided with love, corrected with wisdom, and inspired loyalty among her staff. Her impact will not fade with retirement,” she declared.
Also lending his voice, the Head of Service, Mr Bayo Phillips, who officiated the symbolic pen-down ceremony, described her exit as “without blemish” — a reflection of a career built on competence and honour. He offered prayers for a peaceful and fulfilling life in retirement.
In an emotional tribute, her husband, Hon. Justice Olusegun Odusola, praised her as a steadfast partner and devoted mother, declaring that he would choose her “again and again” if given the chance. This remark drew warm applause.
Responding with gratitude, Odusola thanked the state government, her ministry, and colleagues for their unwavering support throughout her years of service. She urged those still in active duty to hold fast to the principles of hard work, integrity, and compassion.
The event was rich with goodwill messages, prayers, and presentations, drawing an array of dignitaries and organisations, including Justice Adebusoye and his wife, Abike Bayo Olawale, Tope Lebiye, and notable groups such as the International Women of Faith, Stand Up for Women Society (SWS), the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Wazobia Widows, and the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), among several others.
The celebration concluded with a spiritual note at her church in Isolo, Akure, where a thanksgiving service was held.
At the church, Odusola’s compassion took centre stage. In a quiet but powerful gesture, she extended financial support to over 50 widows, reinforcing a legacy defined not just by leadership, but by empathy and giving.
As the curtain fell on the ceremony, one thing was clear: Odusola’s retirement was not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter already illuminated by a legacy of service, leadership, and lasting impact.
