Borisade

CHIEF MRS OYEYEMI ABIKE BORISADE (1945-2022)

FARE THEE WELL MA

By

Seye Adetunmbi, 31/08/22

I have always being inspired by the lifetime of every person of substance that I have been privileged to meet or know by reputation. More importantly, the inimitable ones with a remarkable family background and pedigree that have manifested fruitfully in their offspring. When such a unique person takes a final bow, naturally we have a sense of loss and yet we give thanks to God for the grace of having many reasons to celebrate the departed beloved one. The humble and charismatic Chief Mrs Oyeyemi Abike Borisade, who passed-on on July 25, 2022 fell into this category, as a beloved matriarch of  a prized dynasty. She was born into the family of Mr. J. O. Awodola of Offa in Kwara-State and Princess G. A. Awodola, nee Alade of the Aladejuyigbe Royal family of Awo-Ekiti, on January16, in 1945 in Akure Ondo-State. Her grandfather, Pa Awodola was noted for bringing the catholic mission to Offa (St. Cyprians Catholic Church) and her father, Mr. J. A. Awodola was one of the foremost private secretaries to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of the Old Western Region. For Chief Awolowo to have walked Mrs Borisade to the altar and stood-in for the late father of the bride, it says a lot about the unique relationship between the two patriarchs and it underscores the fact that Pa Awodola was a noble man of honour. Mrs Borisade attended United Missionary College, Ibadan, for her Primary Education and later St. Anne's School, Ibadan for her secondary education from 1959 to 1963. She later attended the famous Civil Service Training School, Ibadan to learn secretarial practice. She finished from the training school in flying colours which eventually earned her the appointment as the first Confidential Secretary to the first Military Governor of the old Western State, in February 1966. She also had many important postings within the civil service where she excelled. She got married to the then young and dashing Mr. Michael Ayorinde Borisade, who was then an Administrative Officer in the Civil Service of Western Region on the 24th of December in 1966. Her husband later got to the pick of his career as an outstanding technocrat. To the glory of God, the marriage of Justice and Mrs M. A. Borisade had been blessed with four fruitful children: Mrs Folusho Olaniyan OON, Engineer Taiwo Borisade PhD, Kehinde Borisade and Abiodun Borisade. 

Chief Obafemi Awolowo stood-in for his very dear associate, Pa Awodola of blessed memory, and formally handed the bride, Miss Oyeyemi Awodola to the then Venerable J. A. Adetiloye (later Archbishop), the officiating minister who later became the Primate of the Anglican Church.

 

Chief & Mrs Obafemi Awolowo and Princess Adetolabo Awodola, the mother of the bride signed the marriage register

The couple flanked by Princess Adetolabo Awodola, nee Alade of Awo-Ekiti (mother of the bride), Chief & Chief Mrs Obafemi Awolowo and a cross section of family members, other relations and friends.

 

Chief J.M. Beckley a Permanent Secretary in the old Western Region proposed the toast of the couple. She was a favorite of Madam Abigail Borisade, her mother in-law, standing next to Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the above photo

She was a product of Pitman College, London, where she furthered her education to become an Instructor. Subsequent to the creation of Ondo-State in 1976, she became the first Personal Assistant to the Secretary to the Military Government and Head of Service. Her diligence and professionalism on the job enabled her to work meritoriously as the Senior Personal Secretary to successive three secretaries to the State Government and Heads of Service in Ondo-State. From 1976 to 1981, she worked on part-time basis as an instructor at the Ondo-State Civil Service Training School. She relocated to Lagos to join her husband in 1982 and got a job with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as an Administrative Supervisor where she worked with distinction for 8 years. She rose to the rank of an Assistant Chief, having attended many courses locally and overseas. Over the years, she traveled far and wide to Europe and United States with her husband and family friends which broaden her knowledge of the world around her.

Mrs Yemi Borisade, her mum and her siblings

Justice & Mrs Borisade on their 21st wedding anniversary in 1987, while her mum, Princess Grace Awodola, nee Alade congratulated her husband

Chief Mrs Oyeyemi Abike Borisade, Atunwase of Iloro-Ekiti

As a pragmatic woman of faith, she belonged to a number of Christian and charity organizations. She was the Assistant Secretary of the WGA of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos for 11 years and became the treasurer till the year 2001. She was also a member of WSC and later became the Chairman, caring for the aged members of the church and the sick, the choir and the priests. She was appointed a member of the church committee by the then provost of the Cathedral, Rev. Sope Johnson of which Dr. Irene M. Thomas was the chairperson.

Justice & Mrs Michael Ayorinde Borisade on their installation as the Balogun and Atunwase of Iloro-Ekiti. On the right was the veteran actor Jimoh Aliu.

Mrs Yemi Borisade with her husband and her cousin, His Exllency, Otunba Niyi Adebayo at Taiwo Borisade’s wedding in 1999

Those who knew Mrs. Borisade closely would attest to the fact that she was a unique person in many ways. She was loving and caring, especially to the less privileged. This she did quietly, cheerfully and effectively to the knowledge of the family members, associates and the numerous beneficiaries of her integrated kindness. Her presence was felt back home too, in Iloro-Ekiti. She belonged to the Mayowa Sisters' Club and the Fehintolorun Society of St. James Anglican Church. She accepted Iloro first and foremost as her home and accordingly regarded the progress and development of the town and the people as her priority. Like the virtuous biblical Ruth, her husband's kinsmen were her people. She doubled her philanthropic efforts since the demise of her beloved husband, Justice M. A. Borisade, who was the first Chancellor of Ekiti West Anglican Diocese. An education endowment was instituted in his memory, by sponsoring students at the Nigeria Law School and at Tertiary Institution of their choice, yearly since 2006 to date. She built a library in the church compound. Her laudable charities did not go unnoticed in the community. She was honoured with the Chieftaincy title of Atunwase of Iloro-Ekiti in 1992, in recognition of her leadership role amongst women and especially for supporting her husband of blessed memory in the field of education and social wellbeing of the indigenes of Iloro-Ekiti. As a devout Christian and member of Christian Associations, she worked hard and made her presence felt where ever she was. Indeed, she was honoured in 2011 with the heroes Award for Excellence by Iloro-Ekiti. Her footprints were left in Ibadan at St. Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan where she belonged to the Mother’s Union and the Anglican Youth Fellowship; also at St. David’s Church, Ijomu in Akure, Ondo-State. Indeed, she and her husband were recognized in these churches between 1976 and 1981 respectively.

Justice & Mrs M.A. Borisade, Mrs Folusho Olaniyan, Kehinde Borisade, Taiwo Borisade & Biodun Borisade

 Great-grandma Oyeyemi Borisade with some of her children, grandchildren and a great-granddaughter

Mrs O. A. Borisade with aunt, Princess Adeola Adebayo, nee Alade

Chief Mrs Yemi Borisade with her aunt, Princess Arinola Afolabi, nee Alade

She was a unique pensioner with a remarkable heart of generousity. She was noted for being very cheerful, respectful, loving, and kind. After retirement, her time was also devoted to mothering, grand-mothering and prayers for the family which had yielded abundant blessings. Her dedication is worthy of emulation by all. Her belief was that God has purpose for everybody’s life. Be it in the business world or in the arts, in education or in the home front raising children and building a strong home. Her philosophy was that, whatever your purpose, find it and pursue it with vigour.

Mrs Borisade with her cousin, Prince Wale Alade and his wife, Olori Monisola Alade

Mummy Borisade with her children, nieces and nephews

Mummy Yemi Borisade with her childhood friends, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu and H.E. Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, onetime Deputy Governor of Lagos-State at the wedding ceremony of Folusho’s daughter in 2015.

The memory of the brief time I spent with her on the 6th of March in 2019, when I saw her at the Awolowo Foundation event held at Harbour Point in Victoria-Island, Lagos remains indelible in my mind. Immediately I saw her, I went to stay with her and accompanied her to the vehicle when she was ready to go home. It was the last time I saw her. To Folusho, Taiwo, Kehinde and Biodun, e ku bibire. While welcoming you to the world of "orphans", I congratulate you for surviving mummy and thank God that you are all successful in your respective callings. Mummy has gone home to rest and now reunited to her beloved husband. Ehin won a dara o, amim.

The Computer Center facilitated by family of Borisade for Iloro-Ekiti community

REMEMBERING JUSTICE MICHAEL AYORINDE BORISADE (1936-2002)

By
Seye Adetunmbi

There was a time in Nigeria that some top civil servants made working in the civil service attractive to the members of the younger generation who were considering a desirable career after school. One of the reasons behind the choice of civil service was the dignifying way those who got to the peak of their careers carried themselves, their persona, disciplined lifestyle and the professional manner they discharged their duties which made them to standout in their respective constituencies. As a matter of fact, my aspiration as a little boy growing in up in Ekiti in the 1960s and 1970s was to either join the civil service to become a permanent secretary or a school principal. One of the distinguished Ekiti men who inspired us was Honorable Justice Michael Ayorinde Borisade, a native of Iloro-Ekiti. He got to the peak of his career as a permanent secretary in the old Ondo-State, joined the bench on his appointment as a Judge and became the President of the National Industrial Court in 1998 where he served until his transition on September 2^nd, 2002 at the age of 67 years. 

            Justice M. A. Borisade was born on the 13^th of November 1936 at Iloro-Ekiti. His father was Pa Afegbejoloro Borisade who was born into the Ibamukan family of Oke-Owa quarters in  Iloro-Ekiti, while his mother was Madam Abigail Dada Borisade, she was born into the Inurin family of Iloro-Ekiti. Pa Borisade had many wives and was a notable subsistence farmer, while his wife, Abigail was a tobacco trader and professional hairdresser with the nickname of Dada onidiri. She was noted as a pretty, tall and stately woman. Iloro-Ekiti is one of the communities in Ijero Local Government Area in Ekiti-State of Nigeria. After the humble beginning of young Ayorinde 

Madam Abigail Borisade

in the village school, he gained admission to Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti in 1951 with the school number 51/028. He attended College of Law and Modern Languages, London where he obtained Bachelor of Law degree from London University in 1964. He also attended University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and obtained Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration in 1966. He attended top management course at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, USA in 1975 and Advanced Management Course at University of Stanford, INSEAD, France in 1978.

M.A. Borisade started his civil service career in 1964 when he got an appointment as an Administrative Officer with the government of old Western Nigeria. He served in various capacities, including Assistant Divisional Officer in Egbado Division in 1964-1965, Assistant Secretary (Finance and Personnel) in Military Governor’s Office in 1966 to 1967 and Divisional Officer/Sole Administrator of Owo and Ibadan Divisions in 1967 to 1969. He also served as Personnel Officer in the Public Service Commission of Western State in 1972 to 1975 and Secretary of the Western State Health Council in 1975 to 1976.

On creation of Ondo-State in 1976, he was appointed the first Secretary to the State Public Service Commission in 1976 to 1977. He was appointed Permanent Secretary of the General Administration and Public Service Matters in 1977 to 1979, NYSC State Committee in 1977 to 1979, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education in 1979 to 1980 and served as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Political and Economic Department in 1980.

He attended Law School in 1980 to 1981 and was called to Bar in July 1981. Thereafter, he retired voluntarily from the old Ondo-State civil service. He was appointed a member the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) in 1981 and in April 1986 he was appointed a Judge of the National Industrial Court. On August 17^th 1998, he was appointed the President the national Industrial Court. He was a Fellow and a visiting lecturer of the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

He left a lasting commendable record in all the places where he worked. Those who worked with him attested to his attribute as a gentleman who lived a life of purposeful service to his fatherland and left a remarkable legacy. Justice P. A. Atilade, onetime President of the Industrial Court said about him, “he helped greatly the growth, development and stability of the Court. His deep knowledge of the law together with his keen and analytical mind contributed immensely to the judicial process of the Court.” His sense of justice and fairness in particular always led him to reflect the interests of all litigants in every action that came before him as the president of IAP.

For instance in a classical case reflecting his deep knowledge of the law and in the interest of justice to strike the right balance towards fostering industrial harmony he stated - “By the agreement of the parties, gratuity and redundancy schemes are mutually exclusive. No employee can benefit from both simultaneously. An employee can only benefit from only one of the schemes. Because the formula for calculating gratuity and redundancy benefits is not the same and the result from one formula would be different from that of the other even where the same number of years of service is in issue for both formulas, justice demands that an employee should enjoy the higher benefit of the two schemes”.
  
His Royal Majesty Oba Arowolo, the Oluloro of Iloro,  Princess Adeola Adebayo nee Alade Chief S. B Aje, uncle of the bridegroom were among the witnesses that signed the marriage register.

He was a consummate family man with a unique gift to relate with all ranks in the society. He got married at St Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan on December 24^th 1966 to his heartthrob, Mrs Oyeyemi Borisade, nee Awodola. Mr Joseph Afolabi Awodola, the father of his wife worked administratively and closely with Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the old Western Region of Nigeria. Pa Awodola was a product of St. Gregory's College, Ikoyi, Lagos. Mrs Yemi Borisade Borisade is an old student of St Anne's College, Ibadan and a trained Secretary who worked in the governor’s office of old western region and Ondo-State civil service until her retirement. Her mother was Princess Adetolabo Awodola nee Alade, a Staff Nurse Midwife who spent most part of her career at Jericho Nursing Home and Adeoyo hospital Ibadan. Post retirement she was appointed pioneer matron of Federal Government Girl's College, Akure where she served for a decade. The family Justice and Mrs M. A. Aborisade is blessed with children who have done well in their respective callings to the glory of God. In his lifetime, his kinsmen felt his presence and for doing them proud they honoured him with the chieftaincy title of the Balogun of Iloro-Ekiti. 

The couple and the bridal train

Family of Justice Borisade in 1973                                Father and daughter on January 14th 1989 in Lagos

It must be put on record that Honourable Justice M. A. Borisade was a passionate alumnus of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti. This is a common attribute among virtually all men of his generation who attended the great school and later excelled in their respective careers.
Justice Borisade welcomed his teacher and principal, Canon Mason to his Ministry when he was a Permanent Secretary in  the old Ondo-State.
Justice Borisade 1st from right with Chief Asebiomo, Canon Mason and other alumni of Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti
Justice Borisade 2nd from left with Canon Mason, Chief Asebiomo and other alumni of Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti

Justice Borisade 2nd from right with Chief Asebiomo, HRM Oba Adelegan Adesida (Deji of Akure), Canon Mason and other alumni of Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti

He was in the forefront of the old students who in 1980 hosted the visit of Canon L. D. Mason, the Principal of the school from 1947-1966. As a matter of fact it was the first time I saw him in person. He was among old students who accompanied the past principal to the school when I was doing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) course. He was also among alumni who sent their children to the school which underscores their commitment and belief in the huge legacy of the school. Two of his children, the twins in the junior class were with me in the same hostel (Babamboni House). Naturally I warmed up to his daughter Mrs Folusho Olaniyan OON when we met at University of Ilorin and got to know that she is the elder sister of the identical Borisade twins. The power and influence of Christ’s School bond is amazing and boundless.

Seye Adetunmbi, author of this tribute flanked by Messrs Taiwo and Kehinde Borisade at the church wedding of the daughter of Mrs Folusho Olaniyan, nee Borisade on June 6th, 2015. It was a memorable reunion with the twins after Christ's School days.

Mrs Folusho Olaniyan, her husband Dr Yinka Olaniyan, granddaughter of Justice Borisade, Sola and her husband, Segun Bright with His Royal Majesty Kabiyesi Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III, CFR ,SAN the Late Olowo of Owo and Mr & Mrs Tayo Bright

Taiwo, Tomi, Folusho, and Kehinde Borisade

One of his happiest days was when he walked his only daughter Folusho into Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos on her wedding day on January 14th 1989. He prayed to God to grant the grace of giving out his beloved daughter in marriage and to survive his beloved mother, God in His infinite mercy granted his request. To glory of God today, the family is blessed with ten grandchildren 

It is inspiring and commendable to see that the family he left behind had built a library in memory of their beloved father in their home town, Iloro-Ekiti which was commissioned by the Lord Bishop of Ekiti West Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Adepoju on December 11^th 2019. May God continue to bless the family and may the soul of the distinguished technocrat continue to rest in peace, amen.