‎From transforming physiotherapy services in Ondo State to mentoring young professionals, serving faithfully in God’s vineyard and raising a family rooted in integrity, Mrs. Moromoke Owolola Olasehide’s story is one of purpose, leadership and impact.

Discover 12 remarkable facts about the retiring Director of Physiotherapy Services whose legacy spans healthcare, faith, motherhood and nation-building as she bows out at 65 with an enduring record of excellence.
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‎By Oluwaseyi Elizabeth Jimoh
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‎THE REMARKABLE STORY OF MRS MOROMOKE OLASEHIDE

‎When a woman retires after decades of public service, the applause often focuses on her years in office. But when Mrs. Moromoke Owolola Olasehide took a bow as Director of Physiotherapy Services at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo, the stories told about her revealed something far deeper than a successful career.
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‎They revealed a woman whose impact reached beyond hospital walls—into homes, churches, classrooms, professional bodies and countless lives she touched through compassion, integrity and service.

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‎From emotional tributes by her husband and children to testimonies from former patients, colleagues, pastors and students, one message echoed throughout the double celebration of her retirement and 65th birthday: Mrs. Olasehide’s legacy cannot be measured merely by positions held but by lives transformed.
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‎Here are 12 remarkable facts about the woman many describe as a trailblazer, mentor, caregiver and kingdom builder.
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‎1. SHE TREATED CIVIL SERVICE LIKE “THE LORD’S WORK”
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‎Perhaps one of the most profound tributes came from her son, Ayomide Olasehide, who offered a rare glimpse into life behind the scenes.
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‎According to him, growing up meant watching a mother who approached public service with uncommon dedication and integrity.

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‎Recalling childhood visits to her office, he remembered seeing her personally attend to injured and vulnerable patients with genuine compassion.
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‎As she later assumed administrative responsibilities, the workload often followed her home.
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‎”There were times the whole family became secretaries, working late into the night,” he recalled.
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‎Comparing his mother’s work ethic with public perceptions of the civil service, he admitted that interactions with government institutions sometimes left him frustrated.
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‎Yet one question constantly came to mind:
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‎”Is this the same civil service my mother takes seriously like the Lord’s work?”
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‎For him, her commitment became a lifelong lesson in diligence and integrity.

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‎2. HER HUSBAND CALLS HIMSELF LUCKY TO HAVE HER
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‎In one of the most touching moments of the celebration, her husband, Mr. Christopher Akinola Olasehide, publicly honoured his wife with songs and heartfelt words.
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‎Describing her as a virtuous woman and a blessing to her family, he openly declared himself fortunate to share life’s journey with her.
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‎The admiration was mutual.
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‎Responding to the numerous tributes, Mrs. Olasehide emotionally thanked her husband for his unwavering support throughout their marriage.
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‎”Thank you for giving me the wings to fly,” she said.
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‎Those few words captured over four decades of partnership, sacrifice and encouragement that helped shape her remarkable career.

‎3. SHE STAYED BEHIND TO CARE FOR PATIENTS DURING CRISIS
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‎Retired Regional Inspector of The Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Pastor Charles Bode Opoola, shared a testimony that left many emotional.
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‎In June 1993, he suffered a devastating spinal cord injury following an accident.
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‎At the same time, many residents were fleeing Kano due to tensions surrounding the June 12 political crisis.
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‎While others sought safety elsewhere, Mrs. Olasehide remained.
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‎Day after day, and often through sleepless nights, she continued caring for her patients until recovery came.
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‎For Pastor Opoola, her actions reflected not only professional excellence but extraordinary compassion and selflessness.
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‎4. SHE EXPANDED PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES IN ONDO STATE
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‎One of her greatest professional achievements was transforming physiotherapy services in Ondo State.
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‎When she transferred her service from Kano to Ondo State in 2012, she met only six physiotherapists working across two hospitals.
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‎Rather than accept the status quo, she embarked on advocacy visits, engaged hospital managements and championed recruitment drives.
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‎The results were remarkable.
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‎By the time she retired, the number had grown to approximately forty-five physiotherapists distributed across state health facilities.
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‎She also played a major role in securing accreditation for internship training and expanding professional opportunities for young physiotherapists.
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‎5. SHE WAS A NATIONAL LEADER IN THE PHYSIOTHERAPY PROFESSION
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‎Long before becoming a household name in Ondo State’s healthcare sector, Mrs. Olasehide was already making significant contributions nationally.

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‎Among her achievements:
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‎National Vice President of the Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy (1995–1998)

‎Chairman, North-West Zone of the Society

‎Key organizer of the 1995 Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy Conference hosted in Kano

‎ Major force behind the successful hosting of the 2013 National Conference in Akure
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‎Her leadership helped strengthen professional collaboration and development within the physiotherapy community across Nigeria.

‎Read More About Mrs Olasehinde
‎6. SHE WAS THE FIRST NIGERIAN PHYSIOTHERAPIST TO WORK WITH KANO STATE HMB
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‎One goodwill message described her as a pioneer who consistently broke new ground.
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‎Among her notable distinctions was becoming the first Nigerian physiotherapist to work with the Kano State Hospitals Management Board.
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‎She later served at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano, where colleagues described her arrival as a blessing to the department.
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‎Her leadership style, clinical competence and mentorship left lasting impressions on both staff and patients.
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‎Even after her transfer to Ondo State, many colleagues in Kano remembered her departure as leaving a significant vacuum.
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‎7. STUDENTS FOUND A MENTOR, NOT JUST A SUPERVISOR
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‎Many students and interns described Mrs. Olasehide as more than a teacher.
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‎She became a mother figure.
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‎One former intern recalled how she occasionally drove her to her place of assignment before heading to work herself.
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‎Others remembered receiving financial support, professional guidance and personal encouragement.
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‎For some, her home became a refuge during difficult periods.
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‎Several students described her as approachable, respectful and genuinely invested in their success.
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‎Her influence extended beyond clinical training into character formation and personal development.

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‎8. SHE IS KNOWN AS A QUIET GIVER
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‎Many church members and associates described her as a “secret giver.”
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‎Unlike individuals who publicize acts of generosity, Mrs. Olasehide became known for helping people quietly and without expectation of recognition.
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‎Whether supporting church activities, assisting individuals in need or contributing to professional development initiatives, she consistently chose service over publicity.
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‎This quiet generosity earned her admiration across different circles.
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‎Infact, on this day, she still demonstrated the act, presenting UNIMEDTH and FUTATH with some items she felt was
‎lacking.

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‎9. SHE HAS SERVED GOD FOR MORE THAN DECADES
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‎Not everyone knows that Mrs. Olasehide was born into a Muslim family and attended an Islamic school during her early years.
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‎Her spiritual journey took a different turn when she embraced Christianity and surrendered her life to Christ in 1975.
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‎Since then, she has remained actively involved in church service.
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‎Over the years, she has served as:
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‎ Sunday School Teacher
‎ Women’s Ministry Leader
‎ Financial Secretary
‎ Church Treasurer
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‎For many who know her, her faith has remained the foundation of both her professional and personal life.
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‎10. SHE BUILT A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE WITHOUT LOSING HER HUMANITY
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‎Perhaps the most recurring theme throughout the celebration was her ability to combine excellence with humility.
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‎Colleagues described her as calm, approachable and always smiling.
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‎Junior staff members testified that she treated everyone with dignity regardless of rank.
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‎Family members praised her as a loving wife, devoted mother and excellent homemaker.
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‎Church members celebrated her faithfulness.
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‎Students remembered her kindness.
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‎Professional associates admired her competence.
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‎Together, these tributes painted the portrait of a woman who succeeded without losing her humanity.
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‎11. FROM KANO TO ONDO: A HOMECOMING FUELED BY IMPACT
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‎After nearly three decades of impactful service in Kano, Mrs. Moromoke Olasehide made a strategic return to her home state, Ondo, in 2012. But it was no ordinary return—it was a homecoming powered by experience, leadership and results, as she brought back decades of expertise to transform physiotherapy services, expand manpower and strengthen healthcare delivery in her root state.
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‎12. A LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
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‎Mrs. Olasehide is defined by an unending pursuit of knowledge. Beyond her academic milestones, she consistently invested in continuous professional development through trainings, retraining programmes and international exposure across Spain, the United States and Europe. Her career reflects a deep conviction that excellence in healthcare is sustained only through lifelong learning and global best practices.
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‎WHO IS MRS. MOROMOKE OWOLOLA OLASEHIDE?
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‎Born on June 18, 1961, in Ondo Kingdom to the family of Mr. Musa Kolawole Akinyoyenu and Mrs. Idowu Dorcas Akinyoyenu, Mrs. Moromoke Owolola Olasehide began her educational journey at Lagos City Council Primary School, Fadeyi, Lagos, before proceeding to St. Monica’s Girls Grammar School, Ondo.
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‎She earned a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy) degree from the former University of Ife in 1983 and later obtained both a Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Bayero University, Kano.

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‎Her professional career spanned over four decades across Kano State Hospitals Management Board, National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala, Kano, Ondo State Hospitals Management Board and the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo.
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‎She attended several local and international professional conferences in Nigeria, Spain, the United States and the Netherlands and received numerous awards, including Distinguished Alumnus Award from Obafemi Awolowo University and Distinguished Physiotherapist Award from the Kano State Branch of the Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy.
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‎Mrs. Olasehide is married to Mr. Christopher Akinola Olasehide, a Chartered Accountant. Their union is blessed with two children—Dr. Oluwamuyiwa Olasehide, a Dental Surgeon, and Ayomide Olasehide, a Chartered Accountant—as well as four grandchildren.
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‎As Mrs. Moromoke Owolola Olasehide exits public service at 65—among the  beneficiaries of the recent policy extending the retirement age from 60 to 65 years—she leaves not as one who merely occupied an office, but as a woman who redefined it.
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‎Her story is the story of a woman with backbone, not one who was “spineless and hypotonic,” but one who stood tall in advocacy, leadership and service.