Founded in May 1961, by a group of devoted and dynamic women educationists with Home Economics bias, HSA is committed to improving the quality of life of the family, particularly the nurturing of children. Our Story
The Home Science Association, formerly known as Federal Home Science Association was founded in May 1961, by a group of devoted and dynamic women educationists with Home Economics bias. It was established over a tea-party organized at the residence of Mrs. Florence Ajumogobia at 7, Falomo Close, Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria
The foundation members were
•Late Mrs. Jaja-Wachukwu
• Late Rev. Sister Eucharie
• Late Mrs. Josephine Awokoya
• Late Mrs. A. Archibong
• Late Mrs. Akingbehin
• Late Mrs. P. Akinwale
• Rev. Sis. Mary Francis
• Mrs. C. I. Imana
• Mrs. V. Okaru
•Mrs. B. Adesoye
The First Elections
A few months after the inaugural meeting, with more members in attendance, the following officers were elected:
•Patron - Late Mrs. Flora Azikiwe
•President - Late Mrs. Jaja-Wachukwu
•1st Vice President - Late Mrs. Adewale
•2nd Vice President - Late Chief (Mrs.) Ayo Manuwa
•Secretary - Late Mrs. Florence Ajumogobia
•Assistant Secretary - Late Mrs. Femi Esua
•Treasurer - Late Rev. Sister Mary Francis
•Financial Secretary - Late Mrs. Akingbehin
First Working Committees
The following working committees were also formed:
1. The Publicity and School Committee
2. The Research Committee
3. The Finance Committee
4. The Social Committee
Meeting Venues
At its founding stage, the meeting venue was either at the President’s house or the Yaba Domestic Science Centre (now Home Economics Centre, Yaba, Lagos). The Association soon realized the urgent need for a permanent place of its own not to hold meetings but to carry out its programmes. Consequently, the Association sent a powerful delegation comprising Late Mrs. Jaja-Wachukwu (President), Late Mrs. Adewale (1st Vice President), Mrs. F. Ajumogobia (Secretary), Late Mrs. Awokoya, Late Mrs. Akingbehin and Late Chief (Mrs.) Ayo Manuwa who led the delegation to Late Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, the then Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for assistance. The Government eventually realized that the Association comprised women of great foresight, intelligence, vision and integrity whose primary goal was to provide vocational and formal education to mothers and children of this great nation. Alhaji Tafawa Balewa was not only instrumental to the Government’s of the Association to the International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) Congress in 1963 held in Paris – France, he also allocated and gave Federal Home Science Association the two bedroom bungalow at No. 5, Ruxton Road, Ikoyi in 1965 for its proposed educational projects. The location is now the Headquarters of the Association where most of its activities take place and the Primary School complex is situated. Having secured the infrastructure on 5, Ruxton Road, Ikoyi, the problem of financing the project emerged. Thanks to late Rev. Sister Eucharie who sought assistance from the Convent and succeeded in borrowing £15 from the late Rev. Mother in charge. The £15 served as the capital for the take off of the Day Care programme which was established same year (1965) to assist working mothers and the training of baby nurses. The centre sooner than expected gained favour and metamophosised into a Nursery School with over 700 pupils as at January 2000.
