29/11/2025
Showers of Praise as Mrs. Owoyemi Bows Out of Service with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria
By Ngozi Kanebi
There is a popular saying that whatever has a beginning must surely have an end.
But for Mrs. Bolanle Owoyemi, who has spent thirty-two remarkable years serving the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), the end of an era felt more like the beginning of an unforgettable legacy.
During the week, the Army Officers’ Mess, Marina, came alive with laughter, music, and heartfelt tributes as family members, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers gathered to celebrate a woman whose name has become synonymous with integrity, service, and compassion. It was a celebration that echoed another timeless truth: a good name is better than riches.
The Deputy Director, Corporate Development and Communications, and chairperson of the organizing committee, Mrs. Ifeoma Okpala, captured the tone of the evening with her glowing tribute.
“We are here to celebrate the legacy of an achiever… a leader par excellence… a woman of high integrity,” she said warmly. “During her tenure as Director, Lagos Operations, she worked diligently, cared deeply for staff welfare, and contributed immensely to the growth of the organization.”
The room nodded in agreement. One by one, colleagues rose to speak—each story painting a fuller picture of the woman they had come to honor.
Miss Maria Ihuoma, General Manager of Metro FM, shared how much she had grown under Mrs. Owoyemi’s leadership.
“I came to respect her deeply,” she said. “Working with her taught me the power of emotional intelligence—especially in dealing with the people you are privileged to lead.”
Chief Nzeribe Okegbue, President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN), echoed the sentiment with sincerity.
“Humility, hospitality, and the fear of God—those are the qualities that define her,” he reflected. “She is a rare gem.”
For Hon. Yinka Ogundinmu, who is connected to the family by marriage, meeting Mrs. Owoyemi felt like “a blessing in disguise,” while her friend of over forty-two years, Mrs. Olaide Adisa, spoke with nostalgic affection.
Their friendship began at The Polytechnic, Ibadan—and through life’s hills and valleys, they had remained each other’s constant.
Then came the moment everyone waited for. With a gentle smile and eyes glistening with emotion, Mrs. Owoyemi expressed her gratitude.
“I thank God who saw me through my 32 years in FRCN,” she said. “Consistency, diligence, and hard work truly pay. It’s not about what you take from the system, but the mark you leave behind.”
Her successor, Princess Adenike, pledged to uphold and build upon the legacy Mrs. Owoyemi established, promising to steer FRCN toward greater heights.
But perhaps the most tender words of the afternoon came from someone who has known her longer and loved her deeper than anyone else—her husband, Pastor Abayomi Owoyemi. As he listened to the wave of praises showered on his wife, his pride was unmistakable.
He described her simply, yet profoundly, as “a woman after my heart.”
The celebration peaked with the rhythmic beauty of the Itsekiri cultural dance, followed by the cutting of the cake and presentation of thoughtful gifts—each one a symbol of appreciation for the life she touched and the standards she set.
As the sun set over Marina, it was clear that Mrs. Bolanle Owoyemi was not just retiring—she was stepping into the warm embrace of a community grateful for her decades of devotion, leadership, and humanity.
Her story may have reached a milestone, but her legacy will continue to echo through the halls of FRCN for years to come.
