J.O.O. Ojo

CHIEF JOSEPH OLADAYO ONI OJO (1917-1975)

THE QUINTESSENTIAL IFAKI MAN OF HONOUR

By

Seye Adetunmbi

Contemporarily, very few elites and early educated men made impact outside their place of birth and yet left so much to be adored in their locality, their place of birth. One of such great men was Chief Joseph Oladayo Ojo. He was born in 1917 into the family of Chief Ojo Abudu in Ifaki. His father among the three people that were instrumental to how Methodist Church got to Ifaki. His mother, Chief Mrs Abigail Ojo was the Iya-Ijo of Methodist Church, Ilogbe Quarter in Ifaki-Ekiti.

    He was a product of Wesley College, Ibadan the famous teacher training institution in Nigeria which he attended in 1936 to 1940. He held double B.A. degree from University of London, and Fourah Bay College of Durham University, Sierra-Leone as an external candidate and MA (English) London. Also bagged Master of Arts (MA) from University of London. Chief Ojo was a devout Christian, a great supporter, promoter and beneficiary of Methodism in Nigeria. He was one of the earliest University graduates in Ifaki; he was noted as the first degree holder. At a stage he was considered the most highly placed number one indigene in Ifaki community.

    Chief J.O.O. Ojo a.k.a. “Ojo Abudu” assumed the mantle of leadership in his community naturally, by virtue of his unequaled influence among his peers and his sincere love for Ifaki community. His Royal Majesty Oba Olayisade conferred him with the honorary title of Eletolua during the official commissioning of Ifaki Grammar School in 1958, the year the first set of the school moved to its permanent site. That very day the song composed by Chief D.O. Adetunmbi 'Ohun rere ha ĺe jade lati Nasareti wa?'  was rendered by the students.

   He was the first old student to be the Principal of the famous Wesley College, Ibadan. He administered the school for over a decade. It is also on record as the first African/Nigerian principal of the College. Many Ifaki Methodist sons were trained at the Wesley College during his tenure as Headmaster. Both the privileged and the underprivileged benefited from his benevolence. He was instrumental to most of the social developmental moves in the community through out his lifetime.

   The establishment of Ifaki Grammar School though a community school project was greatly supported by the Methodist Mission through his unparalleled contacts. At his prime, he was like the foreman and source of inspiration for the progressive elites in the community because of his unalloyed desire for rapid development and growth of Ifaki. The great lover of cultural activities and an amiable character was highly respected and loved by his people.

  In 1967, he was appointed the Education Secretary to the old Western State Government in Nigeria. He was also one-time Executive Secretary of an education project in the College of Education at University of Lagos.

    His wife, Chief Mrs Ojo was honored with chieftaincy title along with Chief D. O. Adetunmbi and Chief Mercy Fayemi in 1974 by His Royal Majesty Oba Josiah Ojo Akanle II, the Olufaki of Ifaki of blessed memory.

    As a little boy I looked at him with reverence each time he visited Ifaki whenever I saw him. My father’s association with Chief Ojo could be described as strictly official, regarding the community assignments. He was the one who signed the letter on behalf of Ifaki community requesting Chief Adetunmbi to leave Ekitiparapo College, Ido-Ekiti to join hands with Chief J. O. Adeoya to start Ifaki Grammar School in 1957. The subsequent few encounters they might have had were actuated by their common interest to see to the progress of Ifaki community.

Chief Ojo signed the marriage register of Prof & Mrs Babatunde Adelusi on January 30, 1966

    Although he was not resident in Ifaki yet the presence of Chief Ojo was felt, while other elites resident in Ifaki were committed to follow up and monitor all the progressive efforts initiated by the Ifaki Progressive Union and applicable quarters in the community. However, necessary consultations were made with Chief Ojo to facilitate the realisation of communal projects. His death was too sudden for his people to bear. He was their pride, and the hope of the community at the time he passed-on. They looked up to him individually and communally.

Caucusian Rev J Jones, Rev Babatope, Chief Ojo, Oba Ojo, Omotunde; J Ogunmoroti, D.A Famoroti, SB, JO Adeoya, Rev Ale Chief M.A. Fakuade

Chief Ojo was called to the great beyond on the 19th of March 1975 at the age of 58 years; he was survived by his wife and children.