Yeye Mofin Of Lagos, Chief Mrs Leila Fowler, Dies At 91

Chief Mrs Leila Euphemia Apinke Fowler, the distinguished Yeye Mofin of Lagos and founder of the renowned Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, has died at the age of 91.

Her passing was confirmed on Saturday morning by Bashorun J.K. Randle, who disclosed the news to journalists.

Born on March 23, 1933, in Lagos, Chief Fowler (née Moore) lived a remarkable life defined by resilience, public service, and pioneering achievements in nursing, law, politics, and education.

She began her education at CMS Girls’ School, Lagos, before proceeding to Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, where she obtained her Senior Cambridge Certificate in 1951.

Her career started in teaching but soon pivoted to nursing at the prestigious St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Later, driven by ambition, she pursued law at Middle Temple, where she was called to the Bar in 1962, and subsequently to the Nigerian Bar in 1963.

Chief Fowler practiced law with established chambers and later through her own firm, specialising in insurance law and consultancy.

Her commitment to service extended to politics, where she served as a councillor in the Lagos City Council from 1978 to 1980. She was also active in the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Red Cross, and the Corona Schools Trust Council.

In 1991, she established the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls in memory of her late daughter. Today, the institution stands as one of Nigeria’s foremost all-girls schools, celebrated for its culture of academic excellence and leadership grooming.

In recognition of her contributions, she was conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of Yeye Mofin of Lagos by Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II.