Famoroti

CHIEF DAVID ADEOYE FAMOROTI (1918 – 2000): An Exemplary School Principal and a Passionate Ifaki Man

By, Seye Adetunmbi

Most of the early well educated men up to the University level in the contemporary Ekiti communities benefited from the generosity of the policies of the pioneering missionary societies in Nigeria. Methodist Mission would be most remembered in this regard in Ifaki-Ekiti. The first set of University graduates of Ifaki community benefited from one scholarship or the other from the Methodist Mission to further their education within and outside Nigeria. Chief Famoroti who was the 3rd University graduate produced in Ifaki community, was among the lucky few. He was born in 1918. His father was the Aro of Iwore and mother was Princess Omosunwakun Famoroti (Nee Aladegbami).

     He started primary education in 1931 at Methodist Primary School, Ifaki and passed through Elekuro Methodist Primary School, Ibadan in 1935 before completing his Standard Six at Ifaki in 1937. In 1938 he was a Pupil Teacher at Methodist School, Oke-Ayedun Ekiti and later gained admission into Wesley College, Elekuro, Ibadan where he qualified as a Grade II Teacher in 1942. His posting as a trained teacher led him to Methodist Primary School, Iperu-Remo in 1943 and returned to Methodist Primary School, Aiyedun-Ekiti between 1944 and 1946 where he met Miss Victoria E. Komolafe, a Nurse. They got married on February 24, 1946 and lived together happily for 54 years and 8 months with their children until death did part them. Between 1947 and 1950 he worked as a teacher at the following Methodist Primary Schools, Isale Aro, and Ogbe, Abeokuta. He gained admission to study Mathematics in 1950 at Fourah Bay College, Serria-Leone and graduated with B.A. Hons in 1953.

His post-graduation calling led him to Remo Secondary School, Sagamu and Igbobi College, Lagos, before getting another scholarship of the Methodist Mission for post-graduate studies in 1959. He started the postgraduate studies at St. Louis College Missionary and concluded it at Michigan State University, USA where he bagged Master’s degree in Statistical Mathematics.

      Prior to his appointment in 1963 as the principal of Methodist Boys High School, Marina, Lagos, he was the Vice Principal of the United Christian Commercial College, Apapa, Lagos. At a stage the name of Chief Famoroti was almost becoming synonymous with Methodist Boys High School, Marina, Lagos because he was the School Principal for 17 years. Between 1964 and 1969, he was the Secretary of the Conference of All Principals of Secondary Schools in Nigeria (ANCOPSS).

He was a unique character, which earned him different appellations amongst his students and children. In Igbobi College, he was “nick-named” “Bitter-Fam”. While his children called him “Manager”, Methodist Boys High School students called him “The Governor”. He retired voluntarily from Government Service in April 1980 after serving briefly as the Principal of Government College, Eric-Moore Street, Surulere, Lagos. Despite the fact that he was based in Lagos; he was able to make impact back home. He was the first elected Councilor representing Ifaki in the old Ido-Osi Local Government. It was during his tenure that Ifaki Maternity Home was established in 1957. He was among the founding fathers of Ifaki Grammar School and Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki-Ekiti.

     He would also be remembered as a devoted Christian. A lay Preacher since 1948 and was the General Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria for three years during the time of the first visit of Pope John Paul II. In recognition of his role within the Methodist Mission, home and abroad, he was conferred the Baba Ijo of Methodist Cathedral, Ifaki-Ekiti in 1988.

David Famoroti sitting in the middle with Reverend Obaba, Papa John, William Kobina Creppy and other members of staff of Methodist Boys High School in the 1970s

Personally, Chief Famoroti struck me as a strict person and yet very friendly to all ranks who moved close to him. A careful analysis of his dispensation would reveal him as someone who loved Ifaki Community so much. This is evident in the frequency, he visited home and the kind of house he built in Ifaki, his residency in Lagos not withstanding. He actually relocated and tried to resettle at Ifaki after his retirement, permanently.

Chief D.A. Famoroti standing 2nd from left with Mr J. Ogunmoroti, Chief S. B. Aderiye, Chief J. O. Adeoya, Revd S. O. Ale and Chief M. A. Fakuade. The caucusian was Reverend John Jones flanked L-R by Reverend Babatope, Chief J. OJO a.k.a. Abudu, HRM Oba Josiah Ojo Akanle III & Rev Omotunde while Mr Emmanuel Olorunfemi squatted on the floor

There was no doubt, Chief Famoroti and my father appreciated one another considerably well in their lifetime. Most times he visited Ifaki he would stop over in front of our house and cracked jokes with his friend and classmate. He was fond of calling Baba, David or on a lighter mood “Ojo Olulu” (Ojo the drummer). An extract from the condolence message of Chief Famoroti to our family read thus:

“The news of the death of David was more than a shock, it nearly made me collapse! Why? What is happening? David did not look invalid when I saw him last in January! We chatted together when he visited me. Was he preparing me a farewell? No, Ifaki is in a big loss! Well his time has come. I congratulate him. We that he left behind will continue to battle with life…”.

10 years after, Chief Famoroti’s time came on 8/11/2000 and his body was laid to rest at Ifaki on Saturday 27th January, 2001. His wife and children survived him.