•Mrs Babatunde Photo: Sun News Publishing

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It was the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who in one of his independence broadcasts to the nation as the then President of Nigeria, urged Nigerians to strive to be the best in their professional callings. "You may be a teacher, carpenter, lawyer, doctor, cleaner or a shrub in the ocean; try to be the best," Dr Azikiwe counselled Nigerians.

Today, many Nigerians are living to that advice to be the best in their areas of human endeavours. Mrs Shakirat Adepeju Babatunde, a director of Budgeting in one of the Lagos State ministries, is an example of such Nigerians, who was recently described by the Anwar-ul Islam Girls' High School, Ojokoro, Lagos as a worthy alumnus.

Paying a glowing tribute to the school's ex-student in its publication, "The Jewel", it described Mrs Babatunde as good ambassador who had made it (school) proud, leaving her footprint on the sand of time.

Describing the youthful life of Mrs Babatunde, who was until recently, the Chairman of Ikeja District 'Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the school in its magazine, noted that she was a lady of many parts. The school was impressed by Shakirat’s academic achievements todate.
The school wrote: "A lady of many parts, Mrs Peju Babatunde, a distinguished Chartered Accountant and a fellow of the revered Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, was educated at the University of Lagos, Akoka, where she bagged a Bachelor of Science (Second Class Upper Division and studied Master of Science degrees in Accounting. She also holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA Grade Point 4) with bias for marketing, which she obtained from the prestigious ESUT Business School of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

"Before her remarkable exploits in the various universities, Mrs Babatunde had obtained a National Diploma (Upper Credit) in Accountancy from the Polytechnic, Ibadan, an Institution that is acknowledged as a breeding ground for future leaders and technocrats",
The school described Mrs Babatunde as a humble and a great team player and manager of resources. "Indeed her leadership skills manifested early in life during secondary school days where she was the Deputy Head Girl in Anwar - UL- Islam Girls' High School, Lagos during the 1976/77 academic session. In 1982 she was elected as the Student Union Treasurer of the Polytechnic Ibadan, As if to confirm the popular saying that a gold fish does not have a hiding place, she (Mrs-Babatunde) was unanimously elected as the class governor MBA 1996/98 set of ESUT".

The school also described Mrs Babatunde as a full member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM), having over 20years varied experiences in auditing, banking, finance, accounting, academics and management. "She is currently the Head of Directorate of Accounts, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Government service. Among other posts, she was one-time treasurer of a bank and once worked with Universal Trust Bank (Union Bank) as Regional Manager Public sector after serving as Head, currency Trading. She also served as Liaison Officer for World Bank projects.

"An avid research oriented personality; Mrs Babatunde was a onetime Senior Lecturer in Accounting, Department of Accounting, Lagos State Polytechnic Isolo and Lagos State University Ojo (MBA Programme) on part-time basis. It is therefore not a surprise that she has authored Publications and Articles on finance and Accounts.

"She currently serves on the Governing Council of the foremost Professional Institute on the continent of Africa, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chairman, 2006 Annual Accountants Conference Cup Winner District - Ikeja District Society of lCAN, onetime Welfare Secretary of society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN).

"She has attended many local and international courses, conferences and seminars on Treasury management, banking, finance, accounting and management. She has coordinated many World Bank projects, financing and grants. She has participated in and presented papers at training courses, seminars and workshops on banking, finance, accounting and _business management.

"As a heroine, Mrs Babatunde has won many prizes, awards and commendations in academics, athletics and for outstanding performance including certificate of merit, Debo Industries Limited (1991), best treasury staff 1994 - NBM Bank (Sterling Bank), Creditable performance as an assessor of the Chartered Institute of Marketing of Nigeria: 1982 NIPOGA Medallist in Table Tennis, best Female Table tennis player, the polytechnic Ibadan (1999 through to 2001), best female table tennis female player !CAN Conference and 2006 3rd female table tennis player !CAN Conference; Best Muslim Student in Islamic Religious Knowledge- Quiz completion (1975), Muslim Students Society, Lagos State Chapter et cetera.

"A devout Muslim, Alhaja Babatunde was a one-time Treasurer, Muslim Students Society University College Hospital Chapter, Ibadan; Member of the Cooperative Society Committee of NASFAT and the Finance Committee of South West of Nigeria Muslim Ummah".
The school wants its other students former and present to live by Babatunde's sterling example.