Tributes Pour In For ate Sheila Tai Solarin

Sheila Solarin nee Tuer, wife of the late social critic and educationalist, Tai Solarin, died at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
She was born on May 31, 1924 and got married to Tai Solarin on Sept.14, 1951 in Manchester, England. She met her husband during the civil war.The English-born Mrs. Solarin was a dependable ally of her husband who spent a lifetime fighting as a voice for the downtrodden Nigerian masses.  She and her Husband started Mayflower. She retired two years ago from actively running Mayflower school when she turned 80.

She is survived by two children, Corin and Tunde. She was recently an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II on 17 October 2007 for services to education in Nigeria.
Reacting to the death in a telephone interview with newsmen in Ojebu-Ode, Ms Corin Solarin, the first child of the deceased, said she could not summarise the life and times of her mother in words.
“She was a good, kind-hearted and humane personality.
“She played the role of mother to thousands of people across the world. Her love and service to humanity were exemplary and legendary, “ Corin stated.
A former governor of Ogun, Chief Gbenga Daniel, in his reaction described the death of Mrs Solarin, as a huge loss,
in spite of her age.
Daniel in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo, described Sheila as an epitome of the best of womanhood.
He said that the contributions of the deceased to the development of education in Nigeria would not be forgotten.
Daniel said: “Even after the demise of her husband, she kept the flag of Tai Solarin flying loftily in the education sector in Nigeria.
“Through her death, Nigeria has lost a humanist, educationist, bridge builder and peace maker. We will miss her but the family should take solace in the fact that she left behind a worthy legacy,” Daniel said.
Also reacting to the development Sen. Gbenga Kaka,representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the senate, described Sheila’s death as a shock.
“Madam Solarin in her life time sacrificed all that she had for the sake of her husband. She kept the flag flying at Mayflower School, Ikenne.
“She remained an epitome of good womanhood. She was caring, not only to her children but all who passed through her husband. She will be missed just like we are missing her husband.
“She was a hardworking, diligent and straight forward person,” Kaka said.
Mrs Alake Sobo, niece to the late social critic also described Sheila as a rare mother who gave all that she had for humanity.
For Dr Wale Omole, founder, Tai Solarin Hospital, Lagos, Sheila’s death was a big loss to humanity.
“She and her husband sponsored thousands of Nigerian children up to the university level.
“They knew little or nothing about the parents of those children, especially those who were affected by the Nigerian Civil War.
“There is so much to miss in the life and times of Madam Solarin who symbolised humanness, generosity, philanthropy and all those virtues that exact the human race.”