Olufaki

OBA JOSIAH ADEOYE OJO Akanle III (1912-1978): A QUINTESSENTIAL KING 

By 

Seye Adetunmbi, 9/6/18

Subsequent to the meeting at Okeoja on the 3^rd of March 1970 where the nomination of Prince Josiah Adeoye Ojo for the Olufaki’s stool was formally consented to by the Elebis, Ifaki-Ekiti community applauded the decision. On January 18^th 1971, government ol Western Region approved his appointed as the new Oba. I was among the students of all schools in Ifaki that came to formally receive him with pump and pageantry on January 29^th 1972 when he finally came home. I led the band of St Michael’s Anglican Primary School, Ifaki-Ekiti to the carnival-like reception given to the king which remains indelible in my memory.

I remember the special song we all sang for him that day: Ku abo o Oba Olola (2ce)

Olufaki d’ade owo o, o tun wo ewu eye e

Ku abo o, olola julo.

The Oba being a quintessential and veteran teacher, he responded and sang for us an instructive song which we all reechoed and it continues to resonate in my memory. The song goes thus:

Bata re a dun koko ka (2ce)

Ti o ba ka’we re, bata re a dun koko ka

Bata re a wo werere n’ile (2ce)

Ti o o ba ka we re, bata re a wo werere n’ile

      His Royal Majesty, Oba Josiah Adeoye Ojo was born born in Ifaki Ekiti to the family of Pa Moses Akorowosi Ojo of Egun quarter and Madam Ojo from Ilogbe quater in 1912. Pa Moses Akorowosi was one of the early frontline Christians in Ifaki and he became the Baba-Ijo of Methodist Church, Iwore in Ifaki-Ekiti. Oba Ojo had his primary school education in Ifaki and attended Welsley College at Elekuro in Ibadan. He worked with Grade II Teacher’s Certificate in Lagos for many years. He was a teacher at Breadfruit Primary School and became Headmaster of Edward Blyden Memorial School at Sangross, Lagos.

        He married Miss Eunice Abimbola Ajala from Ilero quarter of Ifaki-Ekiti in 1942. They started their married life in Lagos and the marriage was blessed with six children, three of them survived: Princess Adesola Omisore, Princess Sunmbo and Princess Durojaiye; they  are doing well to the glory to God.

He was a devout Christian and was a member of Williams Memorial Church, Ago-Ijaye in Ebute-Meta Lagos. He worshipped there regularly with his family and became a 'local preacher' in that body of Christ. He was also the Captain of Boy’s Bridgade of the church.

He was very involved in the progress efforts on Ifaki. HRM and other Ifaki sons in Lagos started the Ifaki Progressive Union branch and met periodically at his Qoates Street, Lagos. He served at various times as the Secretary and Chairman of IPU. Members of the IPU then included Messrs Aderiye, Faturoti, Adelodun, Famoroti, Fayemi, Ibitoye to mention a few; all of blessed memory.

     He along with others through IPU was instrumental to the establishment of Ifaki Grammar School. The established grammar school and Methodist Girls High School blossomed. He was called to ascend the throne of his fore fathers in 1970 and was traditionally installed by Olokun Dada on February 3^rd 1971. It was yet another landmark in the history of Ifaki and it was a privilege to witness the the early morning ceremony. Ifaki people were so happy because for almost 10 years there was no Oba after the last one passed-on. Also the then new king was the first well educated monarch in the community.

L-R standing: …Messrs Owoeye Adelodun, Samuel Ogundare, Fadiya, Dada of the Scout fame, Chief J.N.A. Aderiye & Engineer Oluyemi Sitting: Mr Olorunfemi, HRM Oba Josiah Ojo Akanle II (Olufaki), Chief J.O. Adeoya, Sir Olofinkua…
I recall that he started an evening school for the interested illiterate adults in Ifaki community to give those who didn’t have the opportunity to attend formal primary school a second chance to read and write. The venue of the programme was St Michael’s Anglican Church Sunday school building behind the old church. It was during the period that I had my closest encounter with him. I was on one of the odan trees between the main church and Sunday school building with my fellow restless friends playing when one of them said kabiyesi has arrived for the evening class for elders. In a jiffy I came down and jumped to land in his front, unlucky me because my co-tree climbers ran away. There were moulded concrete blocks laid under the trees and the king couldn’t imagine any of us falling on those blocks apart from not approving of our clmbing trees like monkeys! He held me firmly and dealt with me in a manner I could never forget. He was a disciplinarian.

HRM Oba Ojo 3^rd from left with family members during a celebration in the 1970s

I also remember him as a very neat, handsome, decent, cosmopolitan and suave king; a sharp dresser with good diction. I admired him a lot. Ifaki-Ekiti generally prospered and peace reigned during his era to the glory of God. On the 22^nd of December 1978, Oba Ojo Akanle III joined his ancestors and Ifaki people mourned him. He was survived by all his children and many relations.