The First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, is a woman of impeccable character and great vision. Born in Benin City on the 5 th of April, 1959, to the Hajaig family of Lebanon she grew up in the ancient city of Ibadan. She began her educational journey at Bodija International School where she had her primary education and thereafter proceeded to Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ibadan. She studied Secretarial Studies and Management at The Polytechnic Ibadan.

Upon graduation Mrs. Florence Ajomobi took up her first job at Femi-Johnson and Co, a leading Insurance Brokerage Firm in Ibadan as at the time. Thereafter, she ventured into the advertising sector and joined Insight Communiations Limited. Subsequently, she worked with RT Briscoe, and international auto sales firm. She soon reached the peak of her professional ladder due to her undaunted commitment and passion for excellence in the execution of corporate goal.

However, Mrs. Ajimobi, went solo with her career when she launched out as an entrepreneur and turned her back to the comfort of paid employment. Her, success in the retail business world again revealed her zeal and resilient to arrive at nothing but success in all initiatives. This attribute of hers came to the fore as she serves in the capacity of the First Lady of Oyo State.

As the wife of the Executive Governor of the state, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi stands by her husband, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola  Ajimobi, in his RESTORATION, TRANSFORMATION and REPOSITIONING agenda for the State. Thus, she embarked on laudable projects for the betterment of the lives of the good people of the state, particularly, the lives of vulnerable and the less-privileged women and children. Notable among these projects are;

• • Creation of Mini Clinics for Widows and the Aged

• • Establishment of ICT Center for Women in Public Service

• • Empowerment of Women of different cadres in the society

• • Access to Basic medical Care (ABC) FOUNDATION – providing easy access to Basic medical Care

• • The AJUMOSE FOOD BANK – A monthly food provision support programme

• • Educate A Rural Child project – providing educational materials for indigent children

Florence Ajimobi is a devoted Christian whose mother had instilled in her the strong values of the Catholic Church in her early age. Aside from financial empowerment of women, Mrs. Ajimobi leads the women in the state to intercede for their homes, the state and the nation at large through the women’s prayer gathering called, Women Intercessory Network (WIN). The platform does not only serve as an intercessory avenue but an avenue where women are counseled and guided in making better decisions that will positively impact their homes and the society. The WIN initiative is not surprising considering the fact that the First Lady has modeled and exemplified these virtues in her own home. Mrs. Ajimobi who has been happily married to Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Governor of the State who is a Muslim, since 1980 has successfully combined her office as the First Lady of the state with her business career, duty as a wife and mother of five successful children.

The life of Mrs. Florence Ajimobi is one characterized by passionate service to humanity long before she became the First Lady of the Oyo State. Hence, this has earned her recognition from both local and international organizations. The recognitions include:

• • Vanguard Allure First Lady of the year

• • Her NGO, the ABC foundation is judged to be Most Outstanding NGO in the South West by the House of Representatives Committee on Civil Society and Donor Agencies

• • Award of honor by Nigerian Tradesmen and Artisans Union of Oyo state

• • Award of excellence by the Ministry of Women Affairs in recognition of her empowerment programmes and as a role model for womenfolk

• • Award of excellence, Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, Oyo state chapter

• • Grand patroness, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)

• • Outstanding Empowerment Award by the National Association of Nigerian students

• • Grand patroness, Archdioceses of Ibadan Catholic Women organization

• • Ambassador, We Are The Future Of Our Nation (WATFON)

• • Award of excellence by the Nigerian Women Pacesetter in recognition of outstanding contribution in poverty eradication

• • e-z 37 solutions outstanding commitment award

• • Award of Excellence by Ogbomoso North Local Government in recognition of immense contribution towards the advancement of education in rural schools

• • Award of professionalism and excellence by Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)

• • Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Education award of excellence by Centre for Gender and Social Policy, Obafemi Awolowo University

• • City people award of excellence as the first lady of the year (south-west)

• • Award of service to humanity by the department of adult education, University of Ibadan

• • Award of excellence as life matron, Ibadan Gospel Musician Association of Nigeria (GOMAN)

• • Oyo state food and canteen workers association award of excellence in recognition of her contribution to the development of the association

• • Grand matron, Nigerian library association

• • Grand Patroness of the National Council of Women Societies; Oyo State

• • Pillar of the Nigerian students award by the National Association of Nigerian students, Zone D

• • Award of honour in recognition of her contributions to women development by Civic Enlightenment Association

• • Award of excellence in recognition of her efforts in improving the lives of widows by the widows foundation in Oyo state

• • Grand Patroness of the National Council of Women Societies; Oyo State

• • Grand Patroness, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Oyo State

• • The Diaspora Champion Award of Excellence for her efforts in enabling Nigerians in the diaspora

• • The alabaster commission inc award of excellence for Christian service

• • The Ibadan Descendant Union, Washington DC award of excellence for genuine efforts in helping flood victims in – Ibadan and for creating positive changes in our community

• • Travelscope magazine merit award in recognition of her unflinching commitment on HIV/AIDs prevention

The best way to make an impact is through service and the trust of service can only be bestowed on those who possess the heart thereof. This, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi has successfully exemplified through her diverse initiatives in improving the standard of living of the people as she stands by her husband, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola  Ajimobi, to deliver the dividends of democracy to the good people of Oyo State.