The world continues to mourn the death of Phebean Ogundipe, a renowned educationist and author of one of Nigeria’s most popular English literature books, Brighter Grammar.
She passed on Friday, March 27, 2020, at the age of 92.
Here are some quick facts about her.
1. Phebean Ajibola Ogundipe, nee Itayemi, was born in Esa Oke, Osun State, on May 6, 1927.
2. Her elementary education was in Esa-oke and Imesi-Ile. She then proceeded to Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, on a full scholarship for her secondary education.
3. She was educated at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and the Institute of Education, University of London.
4. Upon completion of her studies, she began her career in the Federal Ministry of Education, serving in different schools as an English teacher.
5. She was also a principal of the Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo State.
6. Phebean became a senior education officer and later the inspector of education in the defunct Western State of Nigeria.
7. She co-authored English Literature, Brighter Grammar with M. Macaulay and C.E. Eckersley, and New Practical English, a novel, Up-Country Girl, among others.
8. Phebean also served as Deputy Chief Federal Adviser on Education and National Secretary for UNESCO.
9. She was the acting director in the Federal Ministry of Education at the time of her retirement.
10. She got married to Mr. Adebayo Ogundipe in 1954.
11. She received the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 1979.
12. She is survived by four sons and ten grandchildren.