Patricia Brotugbare -
A Tribute to a Giant: Rest in Power, Mama TOSSE
​On the 2nd of May, 2017, a single email arrived in my inbox that would change the trajectory of my life.
It came from EDUMARK, an invitation to attend TOSSE.
At the time, I was just a newbie in the education sector in Delta State, trying to find my footing.
Adedamola Olofa had mentioned my name to her—a young lady making a quiet statement—and Mama TOSSE didn’t just listen; she acted.
​She didn’t know me then, yet she believed in my potential enough to sponsor my journey, sending me the transport fare to ensure I had a seat at the table.
​TOSSE 2017 was my awakening.
It was the moment the scales fell from my eyes.
Because of her generosity, I walked into a room filled with the icons and consultants I had only ever admired from behind a screen.
She didn’t just give me an invitation; she gave me a vision.
​Today, my heart is heavy. It is hard to wrap my mind around the fact that Mama TOSSE, as I fondly called her, has transitioned.
Nigeria has lost a titan, and the education sector has lost its heartbeat.
​I am momentarily speechless, but my heart remains full of what she stood for.
If there is one thing I will carry forward, it is the path she blazed for us.
She set a pace so steady and so bold that we, the younger generation of consultants, now have a firm ground to tread upon.
​To me, she will forever be the blueprint of:
​Determination that knows no bounds.
​Resilience that weathers every storm.
​Hard work that transforms industries.
​A Goal-Driven Spirit that turns dreams into legacies.
​Mama, you have laid down memories that are etched into the very fabric of my career.
You saw a “young lady” in Delta and helped her become the woman I am today.
Your legacy is not just in the events you hosted, but in the lives you ignited.
​You will be remembered in the education sector forever.
Your impact is immortal, and your fire continues to burn in our hearts.
​With love and a heavy heart,
​Your Warri Daughter,
Patricia Brotugbare
The Nigerian Mobile Educator
