Consummate educator, administrator, counselor, teacher, principal, confidant to the numerous people young and old whose lives she touched by her kindness and compassion, died on Sunday, February 13, 2011 in Lagos after a brief illness.

Her death came barely four days after watching her husband, Professor James Kweku Renner, a Professor of Pediatrics delivered an inaugural

Late Mrs Margaret Ugbone Olaye Renner

lecture at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium on Wednesday, 9th February, 2011, titled “Concern For Nigerian Surviving Children And National Development: The Nutrition Perspective.”

In the acknowledgments after delivering one of the most brilliant lecturers ever which the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe described as “wonderful,” Professor Renner referred to Margaret Ugbone as a replacement of his mother who had passed on in 2010 at 92 years.

According to him, “I have a replacement of my mother in the amiable, indefatigable Margaret Ugbone Olaye Renner, my confidant and strong support at home. My late mother called her ‘Igba Eniyan’, that is, one is equivalent to two hundred persons. I wish to borrow from late Chief Obafemi Awolowo to describe her as ‘My Jewel of Inestimable Value.’ I thank her most sincerely for being part of me all these while.”

Margaret, sitting on the front row close to the podium of the massive Unive3rsity of Lagos Main Auditorium, simply dressed, modest and unassuming was requested by her husband, Prof. Renner, to stand up for recognition, took a bow and waved meekly to the distinguished audience who smilingly, softly responded. The Vice Chancellor heartily shook hands with Margaret at the end of the lecture.

Among the audience were Margaret’s elder sister, Mrs. Grace Ogbemi, (nee Edukugho) first female lawyer in Delta State (part of Old Mid-West Region) with over 50 years of legal practice, her husband Engineer Frank Ogbemi, Emmanuel Edukugho, Van guards Education Editor.

Margaret was born in Warrri on the 5th of November in 1948 to Chief Reece Degbeyin Edukugho, a successful merchant, businessman and politician who represented Warri in the Western House of Assembly under the Action Group, then becoming Deputy Speaker of the Western Regional legislature in Ibadan. Her mother is Grace Ayanmagbemi, a God-fearing fish trader in Warri.

Margaret attended Children Home School, Ibadan, for her primary education (1954 – 1960). She proceeded to the famous Hussey College, Warri for her secondary education (1961 – 1965). She was at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1970 – 1973), obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Education. She later moved to University of Lagos (UNILAG) for a Mastr’s Degree in Education in Curriculum Studies.

She married Dr. James Kweku Renner (now Professor) on the 1st of April, 19789.

Margaret began her professional career with the Federal Ministry of Education in 1976, rising through the ranks to become a Deputy Director. She was at the Ministry of Education office at Federal secretariat, Victoria Island, Lagos, and then transferred to the Inspectorate of the Federal Ministry of education in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

She was posted to Federal Government College (FGC), Ilorin, Kwara State serving as Vice Principal of the institution. An active member of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria )STAN), appointed as member of council, Science and Technical College, Osun State in 2008.

Her last posting was Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Ipetumodu, where she served as principal.

During her tenure, over 70% of the students who sat for the WASSCE inb 2008 in her school made five credits at one sitting, whereas oly 20% of the general or total population of candidates who wrote the same examination had 5 credits at one sitting. FGGC Ipetumodu had the best result in WAEC in Osun State and the 5th best in the whose country, while the candidate with the best result in Osun State came from her school. This was a manifestation of her excellent leadership, hardwork and sound management.

Margaret retired meritoriously in 2008 after several years of patriotic, committed and dedicated service to education. A devoted and God-fearing Christian of the Catholic denomination, she is survived by her husband, four children, brothers and sisters.