By Kadir Abdulfatai
Dr. (Mrs) Agnes Ojile is a lecturer in the department of education psychology, faulty of education, University of Jos.
She is more than a mother. She is a woman with a sense of humour and kind heart. A very loving woman whose inspiration and mentorship everyone will need most. She is like a rose that beautifies the ugliness in someone’s face. A woman who always puts smile on everyone’s face. She is like MTN that everywhere anyone is, will find her because she is loved by everyone everywhere.
I came cross this woman quietly by a colleague during my undergraduate studies at the prestigious University of Jos. The story told about her was very touching. In fact, upon hearing about her affectionate for the Deaf students, she defies deafness in the mind of the Deaf believing that deafness is not an insurmountable barrier to greatness.
However, what drives her to love Deaf individuals more is the ability and potential she has seen in a lot of persons with disability, who have achieved various greatest endeavours. To prove it, the blessed memory of her beloved husband ( Late Prof Ojile), who became the first and only Deaf professor in the department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Jos.
Consequently, it has taken me for the past three years to come to terms with the fact that I cannot forget someone as her, who is so dear to many deaf people. The invitation of her recent reception ceremony for bagging a PhD in which she invited Deaf students to showcase their talents, gives me more inspiration to write a good epistle about her.
It is indeed most gratifying to see her efforts in promoting the advance and rights of the Deaf and helping humanity being recognised and awarded. I pray that our Creator would recognise you the more according you the aware of PERFECT HEALTH.
Nevertheless, as a education psychologist, she has always been up as a guiding light to many of us coming behind her. She has again given those of us who were privileged to pass through her course; her teaching has also imparted knowledge to us. Some disabled related topics are in her course( education psychology), if she lectures it she will treat it with hearing students most especially NEGATIVE ATTITUDES TOWARDS PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. She has always taken this area serious because of her love for persons with disabilities. As a education psychologist, her understanding and care for the Deaf is second to none.
She has been conferred with a Philosophy of Doctorate.
Ma, my sincere congratulation to you for successfully completing your education most importantly along with degree of PhD. Indeed, you should consider this as one of your greatest achievements in life. By the grace of God, you will make it to the rank of a professor. I wish and pray that you will find real happiness and satisfaction, as well you start making a new life. God bless you more.
About the writer,
Kadir Abdulfatai is a special educator and a graduate of University of Jos. He is currently serving his mandatory NYSC service in Kano state.