PROFILE PRINCESS ADEBISI SARAH SOSAN OFR.
Princess Adebisi Sarah Sosan OFR was born in Lagos on the 11th of February, 1956 to the family of Chief and Princess Durosinmi of Irewe town in Ojo Local Government Area, Badagry division. She had her primary, secondary and tertiary education in Lagos State earning a Bachelors’ Degree in English (Education) in 1988 and a Master’s Degree in Adult Education in 1989.
Her sojourn in the Lagos State Public Service started in January 1989 when she was employed by the then Lagos State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission ( PP- TESCOM ) as a Master Grade II, a classroom teaching appointment. She served as a Principal Education Officer at the Lagos State Ministry of Education and then moved to the defunct State Primary Education Board (SPEB) now Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) as an Assistant Board Secretary. In 2006 she served as the Head of Department of the Department of Communication and Information Technology were she was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring computer education and training was given the attention it deserved in Lagos State Public Primary Schools.
Princess (Mrs) Sarah Adebisi Sosan, OFR, FNIM. contested as Babatunde Raji Fashola’s running mate on the platform of the Action Congress (AC) during the 2007 General Elections. Due to her extensive educational background, she was entrusted with the supervision of the Lagos education sector, along with her portfolio as the Deputy Governor of Lagos State. During her administration, some notable achievements in the sector were improvement in educational standard, increased enrollment, revamping of Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) with the establishment of Technical/Vocational Board.
Princess Sarah Sosan is concerned about issues such as Violence against women and unacceptable traditional practices against widows, Unequal opportunities for the girl child, harmful traditional practices and sexual abuse against children and women empowerment programs.
In recognnition of her contribution which has been widely acknowledged, she has received several awards and accolades including;African Leadership Award (2009), Outstanding Female Deputy Governor Award (2010), Ezi Nne di Ora Nma ndi Igbo of Lagos (the Sweet mother of Ndigbo of Lagos) (2010), Woman of Valour Award (2009), Outstanding Contributions and Commitment to National Development award (2007 & 2012 Grand Ambassador of Excellence (2007) and Role Model Recognition Award (2007).She was the keynote speaker at the Women Advancement Forum- Africa 2012 where she spoke on “The Role Of Women In Good Governance And The Rule Of Law”.
On women politics and leadership she has this to say “as women politicians, we must continue to do our best, play our roles undauntingly. We should not be frustrated or lily livered but seize all political opportunities opened to us. We should not hide under the cloak of being women and expect preferential treatment when seeking political offices. Rather we should prove who we are, discuss and present issues and let our skills and values sell us to the public. Women should be better players than men and avoid damaging your gender especially to get what you want as it is common with some women. You will have your integrity and pride wherever you find yourself”
She currently runs the Sarah Adebisi Sosan Foundation which is committed to nation building.