+The New Iya Ijo of St. Peter’s African Church in Opari-Oke
Chief Mrs. Oluwakemi A. Olubanwo is a highly accomplished woman who has made a positive impact in both Nigeria and Canada. Her success story serves as an inspiration to many young women who aspire to greatness. She excels in every aspect of her life, whether as a loving wife to her husband, Dr. Taiwo Olubanwo, a caring mother to her three children, Eunice, Emmanuel, and Edward, an excellent academician, a core professional in her field, a committed humanitarian, or a devoted Christian. Her exceptional contributions to the work of the Lord have earned her a highly revered position in the church, and she has been appointed as the Iya Ijo (Matron) of St. Peter’s African Church in Opari-Oke, a noble community within Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
As the official installation of the new Iya ijo approaches, CityPeople presents her profile, which is both intimidating and inspiring. She is truly a remarkable woman who deserves to be celebrated. Her light shines bright and illuminates the lives of those around her.
Kemi Olubanwo was born in Lagos, Nigeria to Chief Amos Sunday Oyebolu, a renowned real estate consultant and Madam Alice Oyebolu, a well-traveled trader and trained fashion designer. She completed her primary, secondary, and undergraduate education in Microbiology in Nigeria before moving to Canada with her husband almost two decades ago.
In Canada, Kemi obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan and completed her Post-Graduate Advanced Nursing with Additional Authorized Practice. Next, she attended the University of Regina for her Master’s Degree in Nursing and Nurse Practitioner program and then earned a Doctorate Degree in Humanitarianism (H.C.).
Kemi has excelled in her career as a clinician, gaining more than a decade of expertise in acute care, community health, primary health care, and hospital management leadership. She rose to the position of Director of Clinical Service, where she had broad oversight of outpatient clinics, children and family support services, child and youth mental health, dietitians, autism consultants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech-language pathologists.
Kemi has also made significant contributions as an editor of the Northern Health Newsletter in Canada. She is known for her prowess in direct patient care, family health care, and chronic and infectious disease management. She has written and developed various evidence-based care management models.
Dr. Kemi Olubanwo is an impressive figure in the corporate world, holding leadership positions in several top organizations. She is the Executive Director of Unicemed Consortium Inc., Vice President of BanwOil Petroleum Limited, Vice President of Zenith City Hotel and Suite, Managing Director of Western Vacation Home, and the Chief Editor of Northern Health, Canada.
Apart from her corporate roles, Dr. Kemi Olubanwo is a born giver, as demonstrated by her presidency of the Regal Wellness Foundation Inc (RWFI) – a Canada-based NGO and Charity Organization. She co-founded RWFI with her husband, Dr. Taiwo Olubanwo, who is a business magnate, Chairman and CEO of BanwOil Petroleum Limited, and Chairman of Unicemed Consortium Inc., Canada. “As humans, we were created for a purpose – I am pleased and humbled to have touched many lives within the past decades”, says Kemi. “Giving back to the community, particularly those with disproportionate social determinants of health, is a call that I don’t take lightly,” adds Kemi.
Under Kemi’s leadership, the RWFI team in Canada has sponsored many charitable projects, including free healthcare outreaches, community development projects, and programs that empower people of all ages who need self-development regardless of their location and affiliation. Kemi and her husband, in collaboration with RWFI, recently donated an electric power transformer, community development funds, capacity building and empowerment funds, clean water project funds, free healthcare services, and free nutrition to several rural communities.
What is most striking about her personality is that despite her many accomplishments, she is humble, cool, calm and collected. In a few weeks from now, she would add more feather to her head gear of numerous honours.
