Iphigenia Efunjoke Coker

“An exemplary teacher and astute administrator, mentor and mother of mothers.”

“Mrs Coker should go down in history as one of the best Nigeria has produced in education. When the Federal Government designated Queen’s College as the first Government College for girls, “Cokie” as she was fondly called, blazed the trail and set the standard for what would become the ethos of all Federal Government Colleges as symbols of national unity.”

“She is a model of leadership, forming the character and building the competence of thousands of girls who went through her tutelage and an exemplary teacher to teachers.”

“a dedicated teacher, moral tutor and respected educationist, and a pace setter in emancipation of Nigerian womanhood, a woman of unusual talent, who dedicated her career to the service of her nation in the supervision and training of young ones.”

“I am not really sure about the word decline, because there are areas in which education has improved.”

“Most reprehensible is parental neglect, self-centered parents being interested only in freedom to enjoy themselves.”

“I condemn society's charge of delinquency against them as gross injustice. Nigerian youths are what adults have made them.”

“Desirest thou the teacher's work? Ask wisdom from above. It is a work of toil and care Of patience and of love.”

“Your pupils appreciate you, not when you are training and correcting them, but when they are older and understand better. They will then know that you were acting in their best interest.”

“As a teacher, I worked tirelessly, ready, besides my normal class, to give extra lessons, help small groups and even individuals. I loved teaching so much I wished I didn't have to be paid for it. It was a living as well as a love.”

“I am sorry for those who take up teaching as a stopgap. Whoever wants to be a teacher must be ready to put everything into it. And the rewards are plentiful, in heaven and also here on earth.”

“I have always wanted to be a teacher. I was not interested in money or cars. I was only interested in teaching and training the young ones.”

“I have been told that I have nothing to do with the celebration except to be present. My girls have taken me over.”