Late Mrs Cecilia Kofoworola Ayo was born on 1st of April, 1949 at Owo, Ondo State to Chief and Mrs Michael Agidee.
Celia’s as she was popularly called by many, commenced her early education at a tender age at the great public school, the Roman Catholic Convent School Warri.
She completed and obtained her Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1958. Having concluded her primary education, she gained admission into Queen of the Apostle college Kakuri, Kaduna in the old Northern region.
From there she developed an early fascination in the Catholic religion of her parents.
In 1965, after obtaining the West Africa School Certificate/ Higher School Certificate (HSC), she proceeded to work with Bodija International School, Ibadan. One of the most influential pioneers of early childhood education in Nigeria. She was sent on a course in Montessori Education in the UK. Therefore she got married to Chief Senator Lawrence Ayo, whom she spent 35 years of happy married life until her death. At the time of her marriage, chief Senator Lawrence Ayo was a successful and influential business man over the years. They are blessed with four children.
In 1973, they relocated to Port Harcourt where she discovered that there were few good schools around. This motivated her to establish her school which she named after her good self Celia’s Montessori International Nursery/Primary school in 1978.
In view of her pioneering efforts, the nursery section was approved by the Ministry of Education in 1988 while the primary section was approved in 1989.
From a humble beginning with only four toddlers in car garage at water works road (Rumuola) and with the full support of her dynamic husband, senator (Chief) Lawrence Ayo. Celia’s Montessori International School now boasts of large building, well equipped classrooms and large population of pupils.
Mrs. Cecilia Ayo will always be remembered by her many admirers as hard-working and dedicated woman, a goal getter and one who is highly knowledgeable, especially in the realm of Education.
She was a selfless wife, mother, sister and aunty every worrying not only about her children but also about other children. She touched the lives of so many, indeed she was consumed by the ambition to assist the less privileged and the afflicted.
We salute her outstanding contribution to the building of our society.
For it is not how long but how well. A long life may be good but a good life is better.