Demise of Sheila Solarin: Okanam loses a Friend

 Sheila Mary Solarin (nee Tuer)

Sheila Mary Solarin, wife of the late social critic, Dr. Taiwo (Tai) Solarin died a few days ago following a domestic accident she had in July 2012. She was 83years. She helped her indefatigable husband to found the Mayflower Schools, one of Nigeria's premier private schools.But her legacy goes beyond the foundation of Mayflower

For the people of Okpanam, the Solarins meant more than education. Their selflessness is partly responsible for the founding of a Tai Solarin set of schools by Patrick Iwediunor of Obodogwugwu Quarters Okpanam. They were also the closest to Okpanam than any national figure could have been. The late Dr. Solarin helped to make PROJECT 25 KLUBB a very success club which promised and fulfilled all her scholarship promises to the less privileged ones in and around Okpanam. I recall making several trips with Emeka Nmadu, Felix Ideh and Paul Nwabiankea in the early days of the Project 25 Klubb and how she and her husband always welcomed without the intimidation that we encountered with other less well known names. Then, we were scouting for financial assistance from peopel who could help us finance the education of the less privileged. Though we were just stary-eyed youths who believed we could change the world, it was the fillip we got from Sheila and her husband that helped us meet the huge challenge. Again again, we came with letters for him to sign. Diligently, he kept signing and signing never complaining. Naturally he was always a welcome sight in most of our early programmes.

His relationship with Project 25 Klubb was pre-dated by his personal friendship and love of the late Major Chukwuma Kaduan Nzeogwu. He was a sympathizer of Nzeogwu and ensured that when the late revolutionary died, his younger brother was educated at Mayflower at their own cost.

At a time when it was unfashionable to find foreign wives willing to stay in Nigeria, the humble Mary Sheila Tuer chose to stay with her husband whom she described as very jovial and kind-hearted.  She thereby set a good example for others to follow. It is also interesting that she and her husband chose to have only two children but became typical African surrogate fathers to communities of pupils who went through their school, Mayflower. Then for he inerrant critic of military administrations. Nothing more could have tested their relationship than to see her husband constantly hounded into police and military detention facilities on account of his zero-tolerance for corruption.

 

Tai and Sheila

For the many good deeds that the late atheist and his wife did to Okpanam, I salute their courage in the face tyranny. For their 40 something year old romance that broke the every cultural and religious barrier, I completely doff my heart for the Solarins. I hope their two children would exceed their parents great achievements.