Princess Caroline Abeke Eniola, the matriarch of the Eniola family of Ilesha, Osun State turned 85 on Friday, October 3 and her birthday was celebrated with pomp and pageantry by family, friends and associates.
Princess Eniola was born on the 3rd of October, 1940, in Ilesa to Prince Adebiyi Adetunji and his wife, Mrs. Alice Babafemi Adebiyi Adetunji. Her father was from a royal family who later became a soldier, while her mother was a trader. In her early childhood, the family moved to Kaduna due to her father’s military service. However, the elders of the Adetunji Adebiyi royal family strongly advised that he return to Ilesa and leave the army.
He heeded their advice, returned home and embraced farming to became a prosperous farmer in Ilesa. Caroline began her formal education at Joseph Babalola C.A.C. Primary School, Ilesa. She then gained admission into the Anglican Girls’ School (now St. Margaret Anglican Girls’ School), Oke-Oye, Ilesa.
Unfortunately, financial hardship forced her to pause her studies. Unwilling to give up, she moved to Ibadan and worked at the University College Hospital (UCH) for two years to save money. Later, she followed her aunt to Kwale in present-day Delta State, where she began her teaching career at R.M.S. Primary School, Utaga Ogbe.
Motivated by a desire for professional growth, Caroline enrolled at Bishop Tugwell College, Igbudu, Warri, and earned her Grade II Teacher’s Certificate. She went on to teach at St. Paul’s Anglican School, Sapele Waterside, Delta State.
At the insistence of her parents, who wished for her to marry within the Yoruba ethnic group, she returned to Ilesa. During this time, she had met her husband, Engineer George Olufemi Eniola, in Warri. He was then a student, and their relationship blossomed into marriage at the Chapel of the Resurrection, University of Ibadan.
Engineer George Olufemi Eniola worked in the broadcasting industry as a broadcast engineer. He served alongside notable colleagues such as Pa Adebayo Faleti, Prince Bayo Sanda, Prince Ropo Ogunwusi, Mr. Bamiji Ojo, Engineer Olu Odetayo, Mr. Onigbogi, Engr Ambekemo, and Mr. Orekunrin, among others.
Her husband left the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Ibadan for the Broadcasing Services Oyo State (BCOS), Ibadan, and was later transferred to Aha-Oje, near Saki in Oyo State. This move brought Princess Caroline Abeke Eniola to Saki, where she was appointed Headmistress of Army Children School, Saki — a position she held with distinction.
When the family returned to Ibadan, she served as Headmistress at several schools including H.L.A. Agodi, St. John’s Agodi, and Methodist School, Agodi. With the creation of Osun State, she was posted to Ikire as an Inspector of Education, a role she held until her retirement in December 1993, after several years of dedicated public service.
Princess Caroline Eniola’s life was marked by deep commitment to education, family, and faith. Her marriage was blessed with children and grandchildren, and her legacy remains one of grace, perseverance, and purpose.
Many of her past students extol her as someone who has lived as a true example of a life lives according to faith in God, hard work and deep humanity,
