D. O. Adetunmbi 1919-1990

Harmony and Honesty Personified: Chief D. O. Adetunmbi
Celebrating Centenary of birth 1919-2019

By

Seye Adetunmbi

Chief D. O. Adetunmbi went to the national congress of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Port Harcourt as the head of delegates of the old Ondo-State. The position of 1^st Vice-President was zoned to the Western Nigeria and the two candidates from Oyo and Ogun could not agree. There was crisis at the national convention; he intervened in his usual leadership character. He appealed to the warring contestants and advised them on how imperative for them to be able to reach a common understanding, after all they were fellow Yoruba brothers and he quietly went back to his seat. Thereafter, the delegates said that the “apostle of harmony” who resolved the differences was the person they wanted to occupy the leadership position. After several persuasions he humbly accepted their request and was elected the 1^st National Vice-President of NUT in 1976.

   Also after executing a project for the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Benin-Owena River Basing Development Authority at the instance of his community, his payment was protracted which involved traveling from Ekiti to Benin-City several times. The project brought him more headaches than gain; when the balance due to him was paid, it came with an over-payment. Naturally, he returned the excess of an over payment to the purse of Federal Government of Nigeria. The accountant said to him: “Baba why didn’t you go home with your cheque? "I won’t be able to sleep"; Baba responded. After the Benin-Owena River Basin Authority official got to know that the old man who returned the cheque was an Ekiti man, he said; “no wonder”. 
     Ekiti Anglican Diocese saw him as someone who did the nation and indeed Ekiti people proud for a rare exhibition of honesty. It was a special commendation, with gifts of one Holy Bible and a wrist watch from Ekiti Diocese at the synod held in Aisegba-Ekiti in 1981 which was presented to him by the then Diocesan, Most Reverend Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye. His virtues were extolled as honesty and integrity personified. To him, his action was the norm; though considered unusual in an environment where the custodians of the national treasury are the ones stealing from the commonwealth with impunity and get away with it because no proper records are kept in a terribly corrupt system.

This is about a man who stood out by doing the simplest things which anybody could achieve if only the person applies his/her mind to it conscientiously. When someone we love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Certainly, Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi a.k.a. Baba; left behind treasures for his family, honorable associates, colleagues and other ranks of loved ones. Apparently, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi (DOA) sought to please God in the conduct of his life by doing well before man and God through the grace of His lord and Saviour. His major tool for achieving this was grounded in the guided principles of a good sense of justice and expression of love to those he came across with an arresting humility. "Mo ri o i yo" (delighted seeing you) was his signature greeting in Ekiti dialect with an infectious deep sincere smile. The state of Baba in his elements often warmed the soul of the encountered person such that one may have no choice than to melt on the inside. That was vintage and venerable him for you. His lifetime was a kind of golden moments of an unending story. His transition then, hurt his loved ones understandably because they wanted to enjoy his presence with them for as long as possible. Indeed his memory had turned out to evoke joys for his children and many who appreciated him. This is consequent to the buried seed of awesomeness of his exemplary character covered with freshly turned earth in 1990 which had sprung up luxuriant vegetation that is boisterous, to God is the glory. Certainly, no matter the odds, it pays to serve God, for truth always triumphs. 

  

His father & grandmother

Prefects of Ondo Boys High School in 1944, Chief Adetunmbi seated 1st right, Venerable Iluyomade sat 2nd from left

Baba stood in the middle of back row with the 1st set of Ifaki Grammar School in 1957

 Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi was a native of Ifaki-Ekiti and was born on July 12, 1919. He lost his mother as a toddler and was brought up by his grandmother. His father was one of the early persecuted Christians in Ifaki-Ekiti. He was baptized at St. Michael Anglican Church Ifaki-Ekiti on the 8th of March 1931. He had his primary education at St Michael’s Anglican Infantry School, Ifaki-Ekiti in 1931 to 1935 and was among the early set of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti in 1936 to 1937. The chief attended Ondo Boys High School, Ondo in 1944 to 1945 and through correspondence, he passed Cambridge School Certificate. He obtained Diploma in Education from University of Ibadan in 1960. DOA started his working career as a pupil teacher in 1937 at Igbara Odo-Ekiti. He later worked at Ilorin, Offa and became Headmaster of Central Primary School, Oke-Opin in 1954. He was one of the pioneer teachers of Ekitiparapo College, Ido-Ekiti in 1955. On invitation of his kinsmen, he co-started Ifaki Grammar School where he served meritoriously from 1957 to 1975 as the Senior Tutor. He retired at All Saints Teachers College, Usi-Ekiti in 1979 as a Head of Department.

Ekiti Diocesan officials at the Bishop's Court Ado-Ekiti in the mid 1960s, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi standing 9th from right

The choir of St Michael's Anglican Church, Ifaki in the early 1980s that won music competition trophy. Baba 1st right in the middle row, Bimbo his last born at the center of the middle row.

Received donation of books to Ifaki Library on behalf of the community

Installation as the Asiwaju of Ifaki-Ekiti in 1974

Baba with his Ifaki-Grammar students in front of Geography Laboratory in the late 1960s

Members of Staff of Ifaki Grammar School in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi 5th from right

Activities of Chief Adetunmbi as a keen church man included being a member of the old Ondo Anglican Diocesan Synod. He served in the old Ekiti Archdeaconry under Archdeacon M. A. Osanyin who was later consecrated as the first Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese. He worked with other notable laity for the establishment of Ekiti Anglican Diocese in 1966. The sole internal auditor for the old Ekiti Anglican Diocese for about 15 years in gratis, going round the churches where there were problems on church finances and other irregularities in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He served as a Bishop’s nominee to the Ekiti Anglican Diocesan Synod until his transition. The Baba Ijo of St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ekiti, 1978 to 1990 and choirmaster/organist free-of-charge of St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki from early 1960s till his transition in March 1990.

Retirement in 1979 at All Saints' Teacher Training College

His NUT days

He joined Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in 1942 and 2557 was his registration number. He served as a member of the Executive Council of NUT of the old Western State of Nigeria in 1971. He rose to become a national leader of the respected union and acted as the National President of NUT, in 1978 to 1979. He represented Nigeria in December 1978 at the International Federation of Free-Teachers Union, 12th World Congress held in Manila, Philippines. His tenure as the leader of NUT was yet to be completed when he retired as a teacher in 1979. He called the attention of his NUT colleagues to it at an executive council meeting that the constitution says it is only a teacher still in service that can occupy the office of the president. His co-unionists venerated him.

During the final rites ceremony of his father in 1980

Baba & his bosom friend, Chief J.N.A. Aderiye

With his son, Senator Olu Adetunmbi in 1979

He served as a councilor in the old Ifaki/Ido/Osi District Council in the 1960s and elected chairman of Ifaki Town Council on the 15th of May, 1970. Chief Adetunmbi worked relentlessly with others to attract social amenities and development to the community which include post office, electricity, pipe borne water, police post, Ifaki Grammar School, and Ifaki General Hospital etc. He was installed the Asiwaju of Ifaki-Ekiti on the 13th of April 1974, by the suave and respected Olufaki of Ifaki, His Royal Highness, Oba Josiah Ojo Akanle III. The renowned school administrator and educationist served on the board of governors of many institutions as either chairman or treasurer. Some of these schools include Divisional Teacher Training College, Oye-Ekiti; All Saints Teacher Training College, Usi-Ekiti etc. He authored a detailed and well researched historical and documentary book titled, Ifaki-Ekiti: A Typical Community in Yoruba Land. 

Christening of Bimbo in 1967 and her confirmation ceremony with Bishop Adetiloye and Baba in 1982

During church wedding service of Dayo at Ilesha in 1986

Baba got married on August 10, 1952 to Miss Comfort Modupe Adelusi a.k.a. Mama. Baba and Mama kept faith with the holy matrimony until death did part them and the marriage was blessed with children. Chief D.O. Adetunmbi was a disciplinarian, a devoted family man, a very generous character and outstandingly upright. He was a lover of concord, a votary of peace, an advocate of truth and an apostle of harmony in every human endeavour. He appreciated his root and served his community selflessly and in turn his people revered him. He worshiped God through Christ with every means at his disposal and earned unequivocally the exalted position of a highly respected opinion leader in his domain.
Baba was a front-line subsistence farmer. He loved organ music, it was his forte while photography was a hobby and enjoyed pounded yam with his favourite bush meat etu (antelope), akika (porcupine) and okuru (grass cutter). He enjoyed company of his people and honourable men generally.

L-R sitting: Olubunmi, Yetunde, Baba, Kayode & Dayo. Standing Nike, Bimbo & Seye

Baba & Omolade in 1986

During 1989 Christmas holiday, I asked him how far he had gone with the historical book he was writing on Ifaki community. In response, he said: “After all, if I couldn’t finish it, you (Seye) will complete it for me...” Three months after, on the 21st of March 1990, my beloved father passed-on.  On March 20th 1990, he left choir practice around 6 pm, played his 1917 pedal organ at home till after 10 p.m. and passed on at about 2.30 a.m. of March 21st, 1990. "Such is a Christian parting hour, so peacefully, he rested in the lord". At the time of his transition, he was survived by his wife, Chief Mrs C.M. Adetunmbi (1931-2017), the Iya-Ijo of St. Michael's Anglican Church, Ifaki, and his children: Kayode, Yetunde, Olubunmi, Adedayo, Adenike, Oluseye and Abimbola with many grandchildren. Posthumous awards received included 1991 Ekiti Anglican Diocesan Merit Award and Ekiti State 2004 Merit Award.

Subsequent to editing, updating with relevant vintage pictures and structuring the manuscript of his research work appropriately, in line with the way he would have wanted it done, I got the book published 28 years after his transition. It had been rather unsettling for me each time the project came to my consciousness all these years until I saw through the assignment he gave me. Consequent to seeing the depth of his research, his uncommon sense of record keeping and the huge materials he had been gathering since 1961 till 1990: digging deep into facts of history, geography, culture and tradition of his community, I was inspired to write the biography of the man with such a foresight and deep sense of selflessness. It was published as a separate book for posterity. Bulk of the two pictorial historical books that were initially produced has been donated to the libraries of Nigerian Universities and secondary schools. To facilitate access of more people to his research work and his inspiring published biography, the two books are now available online to mark the centenary of his birth and to the glory God.

FINAL RITES FOR BABA IN 1990

THE APOSTLE OF HARMONY

By

Seye Adetunmbi

The Prologue

Like my brothers and sisters, I was quite close to our father, Baba as he was popularly called. As a little boy, I was very inquisitive and was fond of him. I was always around him, reverently asking one question or the other most especially after I have overgrown the fear that I had for him because of his strictness and uncompromising disposition to discipline. I can say that I learnt about events before mid-sixties through several discussions with him, Mama, my elder brothers and sisters, while the activities from late 1960s upward I witnessed personally.

As a little boy I traveled with him several times to many different places for formal and informal functions and meetings. After I got my driving license in 1978, I was one of his drivers for over a decade until his transition. I was also one of his attendants and assistants when he was managing the first National Oil Petrol Filling Station (formally Shell) in Ifaki. In fact, I did not realise the frequency of my presence around him at the filling station until Mrs Ojo Kajola, one of the petty traders and neighbours tagged me adiye Baba (daddy’s rooster). Apart from the fact that I consider myself privileged to have passed through his tutelage as one of his students (1973-1975) in the secondary school, I was also one of his choristers right from the age of 9 at St Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ekiti for several years. Consequently, at the risk of sounding immodest I believe that I knew him intimately.

Some instances that were quoted in his biography were not just mere hearsay because, he actually told me some and I witnessed a few cases. His virtues that are highlighted in the biography are basic things that most people who knew him very well admitted that were his lifetime attributes. In fact, he was not the kind of person one can easily falsify his records either by taking from it or adding to it, because he was a man of the people. I did not attempt to attach to his image, any halo of perfection. Nevertheless, it is a fact that he left an impeccable record of service to humanity in his community and in his career as a teacher. His affability was exemplary and was charitable to all God’s children. In fact it was difficult to write about him in past tense within 3 months of his transition in 1990 that I have concluded the manuscript of this biography.

When the loss of Baba was still fresh and overwhelmed by emotions, Intuitively, I wanted the book to be titled Aarukan. I came across or took notice of the Yoruba word for the first time shortly after Baba passed-on. I observed that several times whenever any of his associates, friends, relations, neighbours, tenants and beneficiaries, kind of reminiscence about their encounters with him, they were so emotion-laden. Most of them often cried. Each time I wondered why so much emotion, the reply I usually got from them and people around was “arukan ni oro Baba”. In essence his friends, beneficiaries and admirers were often in a reflecting mood whenever they recalled any of his legacies which brought to mind the cherished moments they shared together. Arukan could therefore be interpreted to mean triggered memories that often bring forth unceasing emotions.

            By the time the book was to be published, the inspiration came to give it this title: “The Apostle of Harmony”. In every setting that Baba was involved, what he wanted was for the people to live together in harmony. Where he needed to make personal sacrifices through various self denials, he was inclined to let everything go for peace to reign. Also as a remarkable church organist, he played nothing but complete harmonized notes which made his organ recitals to be rich and soothing while at it, one of the things he did best in his lifetime. He was indeed an Apostle of Harmony.

Various factors were responsible for publishing the biography of Chief David Opeyemi Abayomi Adetunmbi. In the course of my carrying out the assignment he gave me to publish his well researched book on the history of Ifaki-Ekiti, I felt that the effort would be complementary if the biography of the man with such a foresight, and distinct vision was made available for posterity. This constitutes the first section of this book.  The second section is devoted to the life history of Mama, his dear wife and my darling mother who passed-on before the biography of Baba was published.

The concluding part of this special publication is the third section which pays tribute to a select few exemplary Ekiti indigenes. Relatively, most of these people were his professional colleagues, associates and like minded personalities who distinguished themselves in their respective lifetime activities. My personal admiration of all of them informed my decision to devote the third section of this book for these selected few in this publication because their lifetime dispositions were worthy of emulation. Some of them were his friends and age mates with whom he shared cordial relationship. There was an exception in one of his students that I included because he was a genius and passed-on at a relatively young age. I also included my tribute on the first female graduate from Ifaki-Ekiti. A few of the distinguished men I paid tribute to were younger than Baba, while others were older and yet they had mutual respect for one another. In essence, what we have in this special publication are three distinct books in one.

Although the maiden manuscript of Baba’s biography was ready by the second quarter of 1990, I could only get round to publish it 28 years after. “Man proposes God disposes.” However, God made it possible for me to include the biography of the matriarch of the family, Mrs Comfort Modupe Adetunmbi (1931-2017) who carried on for over 27 years after the transition of the patriarch. With the accompanying memorable final rites photos, this makes this unique 3-in-1 book an integrated distinct memorabilia for the keeps of family members, friends, associates and those who like to read biographies.

Till we me meet to part no more, Baba and Mama. “To live in the hearts of our loved ones is not to die”.

Oluseye Adetunmbi

June 25th, 2018

NO SLAVE NO MASTER: WE ARE PARTNERS IN PROGRESS 

By, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi 1919-1990

"Discerning the right type of government for Nigeria and form of representation: A memo written by Chief D. O. Adetunmbi to Federal Government of Nigeria in 1979"

A particular type of government may not be bad but be made awful by the operators and in the way they handle or execute their policies. One of such is seen in the way those in government side-track their avowed political manifestos when they seek to be in power. They say sweet words that are magically convincing against a background of spineless programmes. The money may not be there to pursue their aims. The next weapon will be deceit, fraud and suicidal boldface for coverage. The onlookers burst out in outrage to decry all their moves and in the end chaos steps in. There is no law and order respected and the government is doomed to fail.

   From our past experience in Nigeria, one will say that we are not yet ripe to have a government with opposition. We are selfish and do not show signs of having any consideration for our fellow men. When we want to ascend to power or when we are in power we do not want to see others aspire to our height. No. We are only satisfied in our other-parts becoming our footstool, stooges, and carriers of wood and drawers of water for us. Ours is first place; others second place or no place. If it is difficult for us to have our ways or when the opponents appear to be the clogs in the wheel of our aspirations, we resort to final and total crushing. All these tend to inhumanity and render a government with opposition improper.

    In the case of presidential system of government, it appears every state develops at its own pace and within the limits of its resources. Development under this type of government pays better as each state strives to attain prominence. More towns and areas change faces and the whole country looks better. With the good sides said, one cannot but see the other side also. A colossal of money is wasted on the presidential system. It gives room for the duplication of high posts in all the states. There are too many masters that hardly respect the center. Some states pull apart against the ideologies of the central government. The central government also tends to make things difficult for the states that do not toe the central government line! The end of everything is chaos and failure.

   In my opinion, I will suggest we need only one party government for the whole country. The government should be broad based to cover the whole country. No other party should be allowed to spring up after the one that the whole country has agreed to form. As the country is poised to get a constitutional law or policies for the country, representatives of states or local government areas will form a constituent assembly that will plan for a political party that will be binding on all. The appropriate law will support this. The Constituent Assembly will think out appropriate manifestos for the designated party for the benefit of all and sundry. The policy will be operated in all parts of the country without any opposition. The people that will later constitute the government will interpret and execute the manifestos or policies of the government party. Allowance is given to amend policies as opportunity calls for it.

   It is advisable to have a separate body apart from those in government to review the position of things as people that stand afar to see how things work. Law to help formulate corrective measures for the policies followed by the government will support them. They are not opposition party, not pressure group but members or loyalists of the government party. They are subsidiary arms of the government. They work for the betterment and success of the body in government. With the above, I believe all will be well. State governments should be patterned as that of the federal national government but must have powers under the umbrella of the parent body. They i.e. the states in the country must carry out the policy of the national or central government to the letter.

   On the forms of representation in the government, the country should be zoned for the highest position of the government. Whoever is lucky to be president must follow and carry out the country’s laid down policy. Specific period should be stated for a head to assume power and the next automatically steps in. The choice of the leader from any zone must be the joint responsibility of all the zones. The concerned zone can only present 3 acceptable candidates out of which the president will emerge through votes of those in the one central government. Their people should give a specific time frame to those who participate in the government. This would be at the local, state and central government levels. Any legislator can be withdrawn, sent out by his people and the state or the central government if his or her activities fall below expectation.

   In choosing a legislator, the natural rulers and members of their council with reasonable and loyal members of the public should be solely responsible to the nation in nominating the best candidate. The choice should be based on:

(a) Acceptability of the person on his appearance, physic and education.

(b) His or her past morally and the impact on the community.

(c) His or her financial standing, respect for a constituted authority and fundamental human right.

(d) His or her age, experience and potential ability as a leader.

(e) He or she must not be the one seeking for nomination on personal interest

(f) He or she must be free from any bad record like imprisonment, bankruptcy or moral decadence

(g) Any other good reasons adjudged applicable by the nation

   If our natural rulers are given the opportunity to help in the nomination of candidates for the government, better and trustworthy ambassadors will emerge. In choosing legislators both for the state and central government, local government area should be used as base or point of selection. The number of candidates should be the joint responsibility of the local government with the consent of the natural rulers and others as enumerated above. Representation should be spread all over with strong grass-root backing. Representatives should themselves as the servant of the people not as the master of their people. The post or honour thrown on such a person should not be towards amassing wealth. The calling is essentially to go and sweat for the people.

    The judiciary is a strong arm of the government. It ought to be a body interpreting and helping in keeping law and other in the land. It should be completely autonomous. All retired Judges of meritorious services should form the nucleus of control for the judges of the nation. They should be charged with the appointment, promotion, discipline and commendation of the judges. They must however be guided by the laws of the country and set policies of the governing body.

   In genuine democratic political system, there should be no two ruling powers or leaders of government in the state. The voted government must be sovereign. There should not be any powerful clique or political body that will control such government in power. The political party structure should not be like the types in the past. If this structure could be mutually agreed the nation will not be manipulated to fund the political parties. Like the military regimes, they are expected to be responsible to their government and the nation at large. They do not have to be a servant of two masters i.e. the government and their party. The type of government being advocated is such that, the government is the party and the party is the government.

    Nigeria should however be careful of certain monsters confronting the nation. They are ethnicity, language barriers and issues of the minority areas. Relevant and functional committees should be set up to find solutions to these problems. Nevertheless, I have this to say that a language should be chosen as lingua-franca e.g. English. There will be no end to grumbling if we choose Yoruba, Hausa or Ibo. Other tribes with unique languages will cry out or may feel cheated. Each state may have its lingua franca for convenience within the state if desired. Laws should be formulated to disallow ethnicity working against the unity of the country or nation. We cannot rule out the interest of people in their culture, affinity and general behaviour with their common ancestors including religion. This however should not be allowed to develop into hatred, ostracism and bad blood among the people of different ethnic groups. Selfish interest should not be brought into government. Legislators are not nominated for ethnicity but in the interest of the nation. No slave, no master; we are all partners in progress.

Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi (1919 -1990) was the national leader of Nigerian Union of Teachers 1977-1979, Asiwaju of Ifaki-Ekiti 1974-1990 and the Baba-Ijo of St. Michael Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ifaki 1978-1990. On 21/3/90, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi passed on. This article is an extract from his biography: The Apostle of Harmony. The issues he raised remain fundamental to our nationhood for Nigeria to get it right. The challenges then are still with us without any lasting solution yet. May God help our dear Nigeria.