The great playwright, William Shakespeare, in one of his works, said that some people are born great, some achieve greatness while others have greatness thrust upon them.

High chief (Mrs) Winifred Adefolahan Awosika has not only been great, she achieved greatness and indeed greatness has been trust upon her. She is greatness exemplified. Even her name speaks greatness – “Ade- fi-ola-han”./literally means “the crown that shows forth greatness.”Chief (Mrs.) Awosika’s personality and achievement speak greatness.

She was born to the Oshuporu chieftaincy family of Owo in 1940. Her late father, Julius Alade Osabia, was the grandson of the Ojomo Agunloye of Owo. He was the Treasure to the Native Authority Administration. He owned the then beautiful storey building in Owo, the only one with garden and full time Gardner in attendance making it worthy for the habitation of the “Whitemen”.His house was, therefore rented for the use of the Cadbury and Round tree Cocoa Merchants in the1940s.The father later became the interpreter to the “Oyinbos” in Ilaro, in what is now known as Ogun state, where he spent a considerable part of his life working.

High Chief (Mrs.) Awosika’s mother, Bolaji Arobo Oginni, was also from another chieftaincy family, the Aralepo family of Owo.Her maternal ancestors migrated from Akure to Owo. The greatness remained in their parents’ compound even after they were married.

The Chancellor Sir, knowledge, they say is power. A major source of acquiring knowledge is education. Chief Awosika is highly educated. She attended some of the best schools of her time. She attended the:

1. Government Primary School, Owo.

2. St. Annes Girls’ School, Molete, Ibadan.

3. Nigerian College of Arts, Enugu.

4. University College (now University of Ibadan)

5. University of Lagos, Akoka,Lagos.

High chief (Mrs.) Awosika is what people from this part of the country, call “obirin bi okunrin” – “a man in woman’s garment.” In deed, the story was told about the birth of High Chief Awosika. The mother had three (3) sons before her who sadly had died shortly after birth. When the mother became pregnant again, the expectation was that another boy would be born.The mother then had to move out into hiding to enable her bring forth her baby in safety. Alas!When the baby arrived, it was a girl- baby Adefolahan.

It is not surprising, therefore, that baby Adefolahan has today grown into a woman who is able to stand up and beat her chest in confidence where many men are shying away.