One good thing about Ondo State Civil Service is the array of good officers both men and women that it parades with the likes of Iwajomo, Olaiya Oni, Alaba Isijola, Ajose Kudehinbu and even the current Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo dating from 1976 when the state was created.
Dr. (Mrs) Aarinola Akinsete, is one of the few women that are fortunate to pass through the Civil Service of Ondo State as a great accomplisher in the midst of civil service dominated by men.
Dr. Aarinola Akinsete was born in the city of Ondo, Ondo State to the family of late Pa. Isiaka Olufunmilola Omopemi and late Madam Sikiratu Omopemi. She attended Christ Anglican Primary School, Ondo where he passed out in 1972 and later proceeded to St. Louis Secondary School, Ondo where she obtained West African School Leaving Certificate in 1978. She proceeded to Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo in 1982 and later moved to University of Benin where she bagged her B.Ed Chemistry in 1986, M.Ed (Science Education) in 2002 at the University of Ado-Ekiti and Ph.D at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko in 2015 to satisfy her hunger for knowledge.
She started her working career as a teacher shortly after her compulsory one year mandatory service with the Ondo State Teaching Service Commission and taught in several schools including St. Louis Grammar School, Ondo, Owo High School Owo and St. Peter’s Unity Secondary School, Akure where she taught Chemistry and Physics.
Dr. Akinsete due to hard work and grace of God, rose to the position of Principal at St. Helen’s Unity Secondary, Ondo where she touched the lives of the students positively especially in the area of outstanding performance in Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
After paying her dues in the classroom environment, she moved to the core civil service of the state as a Senior Education Officer and served at various times in the departments of Science and Technology, Policy Implementation and Monitoring and School Services among others.
As a dedicated officer in the Ministry of Education, the state had good and impressive outings in national competitions of Science and Technology before she was appointed as secretary to the State Teaching Service Commission after which she moved to the Board for Adult, Technical and Vocational Education where she was appointed as Permanent Secretary and subsequently to the Ministry of Regional Intergration and Special Duties-where she graciously retired recently.
Despite her tight schedule in the service, she was determined to acquire more knowledge through several courses and research work at her own personal expense. As a researcher, Dr. (Mrs.) Akinsete has over 16 published works including conference papers, workshop papers and research articles in both National and International Journals. She has also participated in series of conferences, seminars and workshops at local and international levels.
Her commitment and contributions to academics and Ondo State Civil Service has won her many laurels and awards including; “The Woman of Excellence Award, Outstanding Educationist Award and Several letters of Commendations from reputable organizations.
Dr. Akinsete who on Tuesday May 18, 2021 retired from active service, is a member of several professional bodies like Science Teacher Association of Nigeria, a fellow of Gender, Science and Technology and National Science Teacher’s Association of America. She is at present the out-going Commissioner for Girl’s Guides Ondo State. An active member of Eckankar and married to Mr. Ilemobayo Akinsete and blessed with wonderful children.
No doubt, she is a woman of substance worthy of celebrating. As succinctly put by her sister, Mrs. Omonike Ogunmolawa, “she is a wonderful personality, humble, kindhearted, highly industrious and a good manager of resources. Highly cerebral and tread where even men feared to venture into.”
Happy 60th birthday and happy retirement to a woman of steel.
Adenawoola Olanrewaju. Director, Planning Research & Statistics Ondo State Ministry of Information.