Ifaki

IFAKI CELEBRATES VICTORY OF J. K. FAYEMI AS THE GOVERNOR-ELECT

Progressive Ifaki indigenes celebrated the victory Dr Kayode Fayemi at the polls. This was demonstrated by their early morning victory dance round the town. Different groups made stopover at Adetunmbi family house to rejoice with Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi for his commendable efforts to ensure that Ifaki community is counted among the progressive communities in Ekiti- State. He won his polling unit and ward election. Likewise Chief Segun Oni won his polling unit to the glory of God.

We were woken up by the joyous indigenes very early in the morning on July 15th 2018

TYPICAL YORUBA COMMUNITY: Ifaki-Ekiti

By, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi (1919-1990)

THE PROLOGUE: Ancient and Modern - The Virtue of Keeping and Preserving Records

By, Seye Adetunmbi, 17/6/18

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” - Marcus Garvey

It was at one of the memorable moments I shared with my very beloved father during the 1989 Christmas vacation that I asked him how far he had gone with the book he was writing on Ifaki-Ekiti, the title he would like to give the book and the need to promptly finalize the manuscript for publication. In his usual sincere character, my hero and very dear father said that if he did not finish it, “after all, you (Seye) will conclude it for me.” The rest is now history, because he passed-on to the world beyond three months after on the 21st of March 1990. I never thought that Baba, as he was generally called, was going to leave us that soon.

When I looked through his manuscript shortly after his transition, he had actually gotten all the necessary facts and information ready, all I needed to do was to collate them, edit, review and structure the text appropriately for publication. To God be the glory, by June 1990, I have finished repackaging the manuscript for the book; subject to periodic review before its publication. 28 years after his transition, the book published and presented to the public.

This book was published posthumously in good faith with the best of intentions. This was made possible through the special grace of God Almighty with the support of family members and encouragement of well meaning Ifaki people because it is considered a solemn responsibility and a thing of joy to get the book published to the glory of God.

Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi gave his life to Christ, and spent his lifetime in the service of God, his nation, and mankind. Recognising the enormity of details and depth of the research carried out on the historical book, coupled with the repository of documents on the origin, background, culture and traditions of his people, I considered it complementary to do a separate exposition on him (the author) by way of a biography for posterity. Interestingly, most of his activities in Ifaki between 1957 and 1990 in particular, constituted a historical eon, which bear relevance to the quintessence of this book.

Consequently, I was able to cover in his published life history certain events on Ifaki in which he was directly involved but were not included in this book. In essence, whoever enjoys reading this book may need to get a copy of his published biography, it complements this historical publication. Moreover, like other great mortals who had made indelible positive impacts on their communities, his life story would not only exhibit an indigenous and cultural heritage, but should enable the coming generations to appreciate the life of a great mind whose distinguished exploits continue to resonate years after his departure to the world beyond.

Contents: This book covers various subjects and historical facts, which makes it to be an unusual publication. The book is fundamentally a compendium of historical repository on Ifaki Community. This is the complete research work of Chief Adetunmbi on Ifaki-Ekiti, which he started in 1961 when he first wrote the Geography of Ifaki. Subsequently, IPU asked for his assistance to write a script on the origin and traditions of Ifaki through a letter dated 18^th October 1963 signed by Chief Joseph Nelson Adeyinka Aderiye. This mandate ultimately influenced and led to the publishing of this book. His major sources of information were elders and his personal documentation born out of knack for record keeping through keen observation of events around him.

The elders he consulted on information gathering included his grandmother, Madam Aina Olofinmiluwe Omoboye a.k.a. Iya-elepa and father, Pa Joseph Adewuya Adelodun alias Aromasodu; while Pa Abraham Ojo, Howell Bamisaiye, Jacob Ale, Joseph Oke Ekerin, Elijah Ladega and Madam Janet Omotayo provided facts on the evolution of Christianity. Others were the traditional Chiefs and individuals e.g. Chief Olokun Momodu Dada in 1961 gave insight on the origin of Ifaki people, the Olokun family and orisa Ogiyan and Alajibutu Disu in 1961 assisted on the heathen calendar of Ifaki. Also in 1965, Joseph Aina Olaluyi and Ogunluyi Ojo provided information on local fabrication technology in Ifaki and the names of the past Eleyigbos respectively. Lemomu Akadiri spoke on the Efosans of Iwore, while Pa Ojo Akolona, Chief Esiba Jacob Ogunmoroti and Chief David Ogunlade were also of tremendous help to him in his efforts to source for authentic information and factual materials for his research.

Let me also state that without losing the content and context of his laudable research, I sourced various complementary pictures to further buttress and add visuals to his historical writings. Also a lot of things have happened in Ifaki in the past 28 years which made it necessary to bring up to date the notable events he was recording with dates in the chapter nine of this book.

The title he gave his book was “Ifaki a typical Ekiti Town”. During the compilation of his write-ups, I was able to see the relevance of the depth and dynamism of his research from a broader perspective. Thus, I considered “Ifaki-Ekiti: A Typical Yoruba Community” to be more suitable which some intellectuals consented to. Recognising the fact that Baba was inclined to supporting positive suggestions, the title was adopted on his behalf in the belief that he would not have objected to an appropriate modification. The comment of Prof Sam Ade Ojo on the book’s title: “The title will draw the attention of the reading pubic to the accuracy and distinctiveness of the product of Baba's research through its title”. This is indeed a reference book on Yoruba culture and tradition, as practiced in most towns and villages over the years.

Information Source: Most of the information and material used in this book were got through his personal observations and documentation. His sense of record keeping was towering, remarkable, and may be unrivaled in his community and environs. This is evident in the last chapter of this book that highlighted the historical facts and events that happened as far back as 19^th century. In fact, he made writing the book on him very easy for me because all the information I needed were within my reach through his memoirs and diaries which he has been keeping since 1942. This is what makes it possible for me to add over sixty other events and additional information on the historical activities and facts with dates in chapter nine. The diaries certainly made it easy for me to cross-check and make the required updates where necessary.

A considerable number of vintage pictures used in this book were selected from his collections in addition to those I took myself and the ones obtained through other means after his transition. Baba was indeed a repository of historical documents and events around him. In all we have an ancient and modern pictorial book that would appeal to all ranks of people beyond Ekiti-State.

It is important to mention that all the facts given on the respective clans in the community were based on the information made available by the elders of the respective quarters.  He made conscious efforts to write evenly, but in a particular quarter in the town, an elder who was to provide the facts was said to have been misguided on the use of the information by a literate Ifaki son. However, any additional authentic information that could be made available which has been duly consented to by the indigenes of the interested quarter would be integrated in the subsequent editions of this book in future.

What I have done in this book is to document the written work of Chief D. O. Adetunmbi for posterity and in particular for the benefit of Ifaki people who appreciated him as well as others interested in knowing more about Yoruba culture and tradition. The book will enable readers have access to a scholarly research work for the study or reference of everybody and the generations yet to come. I must state that it was a difficult task for me editing his manuscript because I felt like reproducing everything he wrote down verbatim. Perhaps this was due to the fact that I will never get him to write again.

The most challenging part of my bounden duty is my inaccessibility to clarify some information because the progenitors are no more around and there was nobody within my reach to consult who had inclination to keeping such records. Nevertheless, I tried my best to make this publication worth the while of interested readers.

Conclusion: It must be noted that this book is not presented as an absolute authority on the history of our great Ifaki community, because it covers other contemporary issues. It is an initiative to document facts and information on Ifaki-Ekiti and its environs for any interested person to improve upon. Efforts were made to ensure a considerable level of accuracy of information, facts, dates and spelling of names and other epithets. Consequently, the editor and publisher of this posthumous publication will not accept responsibility for any form of shortcomings therein.

Nevertheless, this book would be an interesting reading for anybody who appreciates service to mankind, traditions and cultural heritage. Students of contemporary history will certainly find it useful.  Ifaki indigenes generally should also be able to put their cultural background into proper perspective vis-à-vis where they were coming from, where they are, and plans for the future of their Jerusalem. Moreover, those people who like to learn from the experiences of others should also find the book very relevant.  The Holy Bible says "a man is commended according to his good sense, but a man of perverse mind is despised". I wish you a pleasant reading.

OLUBUNMI OLUFELA ADELODUN (1959-2018)

Bunmi Adelodun was born to the family of Mr & Mrs David Owoeye Adelodun on January 6th, 1959. His father was a native of Ifaki-Ekiti and mother was Mrs Olayinka Ibidapo Adelodun, nee Delalu of Abeokuta.
He had his primary education at St Jude’s Anglican School, Ebute Meta between 1965 and 1970. In 1971 to 1973 he was at Birch Freeman Secondary School, Mushin and completed the secondary education at Methodist Boys High School Lagos in 1976. He attended Ifaki Grammar School in 1976-1977 and obtained Higher School Certificate at Federal School of Arts & Science, Victoria Island, Lagos in 1979.
He gained admission to University of Lagos where he bagged B. Sc Honors in Land Survey. He did his National Youths Service Corp at NITEL in Lagos where he later worked for three years. Thereafter he has been working hard practicing as a surveyor with his office in Anifowose, Ikeja, Lagos.

He got engaged to his heartthrob Mrs Omolola Adelodun, nee Olambiwonnu and a native of Ijede in Lagos State, the traditional wedding took place on the 29th of January, 1994. On the 5th of February 1994, the matrimony was sealed at Surulere marriage registry followed by reception at Eko Club.
Olubunmi was a hardworking and a devoted husband who worked tirelessly to support the family. His lifetime challenges notwithstanding, he remained faithful in Christ till the end. He was blessed with a virtuous Christian wife who took care of him till the end.
He was the 3rd child of his parents, his older siblings were Dele and Abiodun while the younger ones that survived him are Jide and Yomi.

Bunmi joined the saint’s triumphant on March 19th, 2018 at the age of 59 years. May the light perpetual shine upon him and his soul rest In peace, amen.

The Tribute of Adelodun Family as published in the Funeral Pamphlet.

AN AMAZING KINSMAN

Olubunmi Olufela was a dear person to us in Adelodun family. We had some measure of affinity with him because he was the only person among his siblings that providence made him to live with us in Ifaki-Ekiti when he spent 1976/77 session at Ifaki Grammar School.

He was a passionate family man and a principled gentleman till the end. He did not like bothering people. He had a good heart of giving. When he was the one that should be catered for, Bunmi was always inclined to give out of his limited resources.

In his challenging health condition he was still looking out for what he could do to support his family. He was such an unusual, amazing and uncommon character. Bunmi was very optimistic till his last breath. He kept the faith in Christ till the end.

He could be very generous with laughter in his elements. We will surely miss him. Yet, we take solace in the fact that he has gone home to rest. He is in a better place now where there are no pains or any form of distress anymore. 

Rest in the lord Olufela.

OLUBUNMI

Omo-omo Adelodun Aromasodu 

O l'uwo, o l'eriro; 

O ni un yiyun-yiyun

O dodobale, o fi m’oba l’oju

Omo okuta j’enini pani

Omo okuta s’oko kara l’oko agbeni

Fu u l'eforo, fu u l'ugbo oruwo,

Fu u, l'omi ajagun.

Omo erin modu-modu l'eforo; 

Omo erin ti kekere na o, ola; 

O k’uwowo usu s'udi agbon d'omo erin;

O di ugba usu t'ore.

O su s’ugbo, o laka le; 

O mu ba le o, o mu le kan, o mu ba l'omi ajagun; 

E se t'ori oju un riro, esidale ra ni; 

Omo Ol’uwo, omo erin;

Sun re o.

Farewell our beloved son, brother, cousin, uncle and father

Adelodun Family, Ifaki-Ekiti

SAMUEL ADEOYA OJO 1931-2002

It is always a thing of joy when one gets to know about Ekiti people that have worked as Public Servants and standout in character with distinctions through good examples demonstrated. The icing of the cake for me is when any of the exemplars is my Ifaki kinsman. For instance, Chief Hector Omoba of Iyin-Ekiti stood out as an incorruptible Police Officer throughout his career in the Force. Likewise Mr Samuel Adeoya Ojo, a native of Ifaki-Ekiti was among the finest Police Officers in his generation while in service. He was hardworking, dutiful, upright and very result orientated in his discharge of duties which made him to retire with honour after 35 years in the Police Force. 

Samuel Adeoya Ojo (SAO) was born in 1931 to the respected Alao Compound of Ilogbe Quarter. His father was Asubiojo Ojo and mother was Famuko Ojo while his siblings were Chief Owoyomi Ojo (late Alao of Ifaki), Messrs David Giwa Ojo and Adedayo Ojo who was among the first set of Ifaki Grammar School.

S.A. Ojo started his primary education at Ifaki in the then old Ondo Province. He continued his basic education at Ife-Ikoyi in old Kwara Province and Ipara in Remo Province under the defunct Western region.

He enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force during the colonial days in 1954 and trained at Southern Nigeria Police College, Ikeja, Lagos. He rose through the ranks in the Police and received various trainings within and outside Nigeria.

SAO attended Metropolitan College, Hendon, London in 1969 and did an attachment at the famous Scotland Yard Police Station in UK. Also, he attended senior management courses in the Police Staff College, Jos. 

His diligence on the job as a devoted and disciplined Policeman began to manifest for a distinct recognition in the Police Force when he earned double promotion for bravery in the course of his career in 1967. This was as a result of his Patrol Team that accosted a band of armed robbers at Randle Avenue, Surulere Lagos. From the rank of Corporal, he was promoted to Police Sub-Inspector rank and in the following year he became a full Inspector. This marked the beginning of his well earned rise in the rank of officers of the Nigerian Police Force. He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1984.

SAO worked in many different locations particularly in the defunct Western Region and later in Ogun and Kwara State. He was a crack detective and one of the finest Police Officers ever produced by the Nigerian Police Force. I recall my visit to his office in Ilorin in the 1980s when he was already an Assistant Commissioner of Police; he was very receptive and always willing to assist anyone who approached him. 

My aunt, Mrs Aina Ojo nee Adelodun of blessed memory was his eldest wife. The Officer and a gentleman was a remarkable family man who was very passionate about the education of his children and extended family members. God blessed him with brilliant children which are a reflection of his brilliance as a person. 

He was known to be kind, generous with a sense of commitment to the development of his professional constituency and his community. He was among Ifaki indigenes abroad that built houses in the town. My cousins, Mrs Funmilayo Balogun, Bode Ojo, Yinka and Ayo Ojo are products of Ifaki Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki Grammar School and Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti. All these underscored the fact that he was not too far from his root despite the itinerary nature of his job that took him to different parts of Nigeria. 

In 1989 he retired as an Assistant Commissioner of Police while acting as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Logistics) in Abuja Police Headquarters. In the Police Force, when an Officer retires, the rank of the substantive position occupied at the point of exit stays with the Officer. He was an active member of the retired Police Officers Association in Ekiti and Ondo-State. 

He joined the Saints triumphant in May 2002 at the age of 71 years and we all mourned his loss. Now I feel better that I have been able to put in writing some of his commendable exploits while alive for posterity. May his gentle soul rest in peace, amen.

DR DAVID IBITOYE ALADESELU 1937-2015

Dr David Ibitoye Aladeselu was born into the Ejemu and Orieguru Compounds of Ilero Quarter, Ifaki-Ekiti in 1937. He had his Primary education in Ifaki before proceeding to Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti for Secondary education in 1953, his school number is 53/008 and later graduated in flying colors from University of Ibadan. His brilliance earned him scholarship in pursuit of his education which enabled him to further his academic studies to the peak. He was among the early PhD holders in Ifaki. He joined Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) where he worked for many years until he retired to settle at Ifaki.

I have some very fond memories of uncle Ibitoye. One is that of his brilliance as I was made to know by my beloved father, Baba D.O. Adetunmbi (http://doadetunmbi.memory-of.com/), his uncle. This has been attested to in the tribute of Prof Samuel Ade Ojo quoted below. Naturally, his brilliance must have contributed to his being one of Baba's favorites among his extended relatives.
Another memorable years for me were the times he stayed with my uncle, Mr Jacob Fadiya in our house during his visits to Ifaki. I liked him because he was friendly with a unique way of smiling and this often attracted me to him in my innocent days.

When he was studying abroad, I was the person Baba would send to deliver his message to Yeye, his aged mother at Orieguru. I must have read some of his letters to Yeye a few times. As a matter of fact, Baba was the custodian of the food allowance of Yeye and my duty was to take it to her if she has not come to collect it herself. The bond between Yeye and uncle David was very strong, amazing and mutual. I liked Yeye a lot because I used to think because of her very old age she won't recognize me when I passed through the front of her house in Orieguru, she would call out my name clearly which often thrilled me.

The other interesting side of Dr Aladeselu was his passion for Ifaki and cultural events in his younger days. He used to be around during the major festivals in Ifaki. It was always fun being around him, his tough personality in some circumstances notwithstanding. The last time I saw him was when I visited him at his official residence in GRA, Ikeja.

I must also mention his closeness to Chief JNA Aderiye and his family. Baba JNA was a close relation of his and a mentor. These tributes of Prof and Mrs Ade Ojo say a lot of about the personality of our departed beloved kinsman.

QUOTE
TRIBUTE TO AN ACADEMIC PRODIGY - Prof Samuel Ade Ojo
It was on December 24, 2015 that death struck and took away one of the most outstanding academic prodigies that was, for many decades, the pride of Ifaki Ekiti.
Right from the day that he entered the primary school to commence his academic odyssey, Dr David Ibitoye Aladeselu, my egbon, showed that he was peerless, exceptional and generously endowed by God with an uncommon intellectual spark that showed him off as an unusual genius.
He shone academically as a meteor who belonged to the rare breed of the exemplarily gifted, the superlatively blessed and the exceptionally talented by God.From his Ifaki primary school to Christ School,Ado-Ekiti and finally to the University of Ibadan, we, his juniors in age saw him as the scholar that we wished to be.So much did he motivate most members of my generation that we benefited very excellently to be what we are today from the magnetic impact that he made on our academic growth and development.
This was the academic prodigy that death silenced and forced to change mortality to immortality, corruption to incorruption, the agony of living a harsh and stressful life to eternal and blissful rest in the celestial city into which pain,suffering,deprivation and sadness have no access.
Egbon,your death was a transition to the richly deserved relieving rest and peace in the place reserved for you by your Creator from the agony of a life that failed to justly reward you with the very much deserved harvest of the outstanding laurels and appreciative blessings that ought to be yours, for your outstanding intellectual investment as an academic prodigy to make life better for humanity.
My beloved egbon, l shall miss your midas touch as an academic prodigy, your intellectual excellence and your uncommon brilliance that most superlatively defined your life and made you a great source of pride and inspiration to me and many others. And, the impact of your irreplaceable loss on me shall continue until we meet at the feet of Jesus to part no more.
May your noble and iconic soul rest in eternal peace.
Your aburo,
Prof S. Ade Ojo

TRIBUTE TO MY BABA OKO - Mrs Bisi Ojo
I met Daddy Toye in 1966 when he joined the teaching staff of Ilesha Grammar School as a Senior Chemistry teacher .I was then a student in the school. He took me as his own sister, taking very good care of me. He was very generous and lovinly accommodating to me.
Later, we met again in Lagos in the early 1970s, at which time I had been married to his cousin. This drew us closer; and we usually exchanged frequent visits to the homes of each other. At each visit to him, we always enjoyed his jokes and warm hospitality.He was particularly much attracted to my children, who found in him a very delightful and caring uncle.
On the whole, my baba oko played his part very creditably in each aspect of his academic, professional and family life.And for this, he has left fond memories of his endearing personality on all those who had crossed his path. He was indeed a jolly good fellow; and all of us would miss him.
My prayer is that his gentle soul will rest in perfect peace.
B.Oyebisi Ojo (Pastor) JP
UNQUOTE

As I remember his older brother, Mr Ajayi Aladeselu a.k.a. aba Momi-moni and the children of the deceased, may the gentle soul of Dr Ibitoye Aladeselu rest in peace. Amen.

ADEKUNLE AJAJA

Contemporarily, at every point in time, every community produces its own exceptionally brilliant scholar, genius, a rare and unique personality. Sometimes such prodigious fellow may either live long or die at a relatively young age as it applied in the case of Adekunle Ajaja. Certainly, Ajaja as he was popularly called was a rare breed academically in the history of his community and perhaps no known person yet, has broken his record in Ifaki and its environs. He was in a different class of his own.

Adekunle Ajaja was born in Ifaki-Ekiti around 1948 by an extremely humble and indigent parents. After attending Methodist Primary School, Ifaki under a free education programme, he could not even process admission into secondary school because his very poor parents could not afford to buy an admission form.

In 1962 through the grace of God and some philanthropic support, he joined the 6th set of Ifaki Grammar School. According to Pastor Segun Fayemi, he was given double promotion to 5th set in class II. While the 5th set was the last to spend 6 years in secondary school, the 5th set was the first to spend 5 years. 

Ajaja came first in their first term examination. Also one of his classmates, Reverend Dr. Kayode Rufus Omotayo said that Ajaja did not make 1st position in the second and third terms in class II, but led their set thereafter in class III to the final class.

He benefited to some extent from the sponsorship of Ifaki Progressive Union and tremendous support of a notable Ifaki kinsman, Chief J. Ojo a.k.a. Abudu, the first African Principal of Wesley College, Ibadan who was his foremost mentor.

Six years was then the standard number of years scheduled for secondary school education, but Ajaja completed his in four years and passed out with distinction in 1965. In essence, he came in with 6th set and graduated with the 4th set. His set was noted to be extremely brilliant in the history of Ifaki Grammar School. His other mates include Prof Akute and Prof Fayemi.

He later attended Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti briefly before gaining admission into university of Ibadan in 1966. He graduated in 1970 with B.Sc (Hons) second class upper in Physics and it was noted that his aggregates narrowly missed 1st class honours. He had wanted to study Nuclear Physics at postgraduate level, but for one reason or the other, it was not possible.

Nevertheless, as a result of his exemplary performance, he gained admission straight for his PhD programme in Cambridge University to Study Computer Science on scholarship. Unfortunately, poor Ajaja could not complete this phase of his academic pursuit because he was seriously indisposed and had to come back home from United Kingdom. Regrettably, he did not survive his ordeal and died in the early 1970s at UCH, Ibadan and was buried in Ibadan.

I was too young to get a sufficient grasp of his character and general disposition. However, my memory of the few and brief encounters with him in the late 1960s as a little boy although very faint still remains very indelible in my mind. He was one of the very few Ifaki young men in their under graduate days that were comfortable coming to our house. He visited our house by choice without any encumbrance. Of course, my father was his teacher and apparently was favourably disposed to him for obvious reasons, his exemplary brilliance. It was essentially or perhaps these few times that he visited our house whenever the university students were on vacation that I was privileged to share or benefit from his cheerful and friendly inclination to my inquisitiveness as a little boy under the age of 10 years.

I could manage to remember him as a fast talker with a unique voice. Also if my memories served me right, he was fond of saying, “you are a bogey” to me each time he playfully gave me some form of attention and I would repeat the same words back to him. Subsequently and as a matter of fact each time or whenever I saw him I called him bogey. Essentially, the first word that often came out of my mouth few times I saw him was “bogey” or you are a “bogey” with so much excitement and joy in me which I couldn't hide. Apparently I liked to see him because he gave me attention coupled with what I was told about him that he was prodigious which obviously attracted me to him.

Ifaki Community, his schoolmates, and Ifaki elite at home and abroad indeed mourned him when he stopped the race abruptly which left his poor aged mother in sorrow. To say that I was pained by his transition would amount to an understatement. Life is cruel when brilliant people like brother Kunle Ajaja is wasted at their prime.

My personal consolation today for the sudden death of such a bright star is that I have been able to do this script for posterity in the memory of “bogey” my very beloved "big friend". For years his picture was in one of the photo albums in our family house. It pained me so much that I was not able to lay my hands on the photo to accompany this tribute.

My joy knew no bounds when I Sir Uduimo Justus Itsueli, President of Christ's School Alumni Association on August 25, 2016 spoke so well about him after I mentioned his name during a trip together to Ekiti. They were class/course mates in University of Ibadan, with Dr Olu Agunloye, Babatunde Njoku and Huseini from Lagos State. He attested to his brilliance. Dr Itsueli was a year ahead of him in Cambridge and were both on scholarship. He felt bad that the system wasted such a gem because they were both federal government scholars in UK when their grant was not forthcoming which contributed to the coming back home of Ajaja.

The scholar Adekunke Ajaja was indeed a very brilliant student, unequaled genius in his lifetime and a great academic of all times with an unparalleled credentials in his domain.

Sorely missed.

HIGH CHIEF PRIEST ABABA AJIMOKO FAMOROTI 

(Circa 1919-2013)

(A publication in Ekitipanupo Legacy Book under the caption of Ababa o d’igba, written by Seye Adetunmbi on 25/3/13 in Ekitipanupo Forum. Edited to suit sharing in Ifakipanupo in 2015)

I received a call from my cousin, Taiwo Ajayi a.k.a. 440 on 25/3/13 that High Chief Ajimoko Famoroti, the High Chief Priest of Ikosun Festival was buried on that very day. The man passed-on 3 days earlier, apparently he was still alive on Friday when I stopped over at Ifaki, if not I would have been informed of his transition.

Growing up as a little boy in Ifaki, Ikosun and Okorobo were the two big and most popular traditional festivals I looked up to for entertainment annually. The Chief Priest of Ikosun is called Ababa, the only person who wears a crown apart from the Olufaki of Ifaki. The crown was worn once a year. Briefly running through the manuscript of the book of Baba D.O. Adetunmbi on Ifaki, I got this information on Ikosun:

Quote 

"It is an annual event hosted by Ilogbe Quarter. The event often commences with the Ababa the Chief Priest of Ikosun receiving Ikosun. Thereafter, Iwore people must have danced Ikosun to Igbomole of Ilogbe. Seven days after this initial event, the Ababa will climb the traditional cairn stone (Ababa gun 'ta). The culmination of the Ikosun festival is when the Ababa performs the legendary and colorful dance with two white irukere (horse tail) on the cairn."

Unquote

Baba's research also revealed that Ababa Ajimoko Famoroti, in 1959 succeeded Ojo Asirin of Ilero quarter who was installed in 1925. Ajayi Ajibire of Egun was appointed in 1914. His book brought out the fact of Ababa Ajimoko Famoroti as the 5th Ababa that was written down.

I liked the light complexioned and handsome man who was a diligent washman by occupation. I still recall Baba being one of his laundry clients in his younger days. In fact I was in his house a few times on a laundry errand which made me so happy because it afforded me an opportunity to see him apart from when on duty during the once a year Ikosun festival. 

I later took more interest in him when I got to know that he was in my father's age group and we are from the same Iwore quarter of Ogidigbiri and Ol'uwo extended family compound. Apparently when an Ababa is installed he has to live in the official quarters in Ilogbe quarter.

I still remember an encounter in the 1990s with him in one "ale-etu" that was not too far from his farm between Ifaki Methodist Girl’s School and Celiat Hotel when I accompanied someone to pick a keg of palm-wine. I thought he won't recognize me, he then said excuse me in Ifaki dialect; and that I resemble someone! I then confirmed my identity and he was delighted, while I thrilled! To me he was the best Ababa after all I was not born when those who performed before him, reigned. What really pained me was that when I asked egbon Seba to help arrange the video recording of his performance on the cairn about 10 years ago before his transition, I was told that he couldn't "gun 'ta" again due to old age. What a shame that nobody had the recording of the man on duty/in action in moving pictures. 

How can I forget the way spectators would want him to remain on the cairn which must be climbed three times to round off the festival. The 3rd time was often the longest and we will all chorus; o mo ro si be ku a se; o mo ro si be ku a s’oro o (stay there and continue the celebration) and kekedu supported by very rich rhythm will complement it with r:r:m:d; r:r:m:d:- r:r: (piribiti, piribiti, pipi)! And whenever he finally came down the crowded Agbaludi, the venue of Ikosun dance would chorus loudly, “a a aba o o o”!

Hmm, Ifaki people in their different locations said the final "a ba o o" when the inevitable happened to High Chief Ababa Ajimoko Famoroti who has gone to join his ancestors. Someone else has to “ro si be, ke a s'oro” henceforth. 

Of course, Ikosun had never been the same again with the exit of the unequalled veteran, Ababa Ajimoko Famoroti. The immediate past three days of his transition was a kind of celebration galore for the "ereju" devotees from Ora, Are etc who converged with their Ifaki colleagues to bid their High Chief Priest (archbishop) farewell. "Ebora jarira danu" the three days preceeding his burial according to my contacts back home who spoke to me on the phone. With nostalgia I said my last "a aba o o", to High Chief Priest Ajimoko Famoroti (Ababa 1959-2013) for taking his final bow from the lifetime cairn and earthly journey!

The picture was found in the collections of Chief D.O. Adetunmbi and used in his book, Ifaki-Ekiti: A Typical Yoruba Community

CHIEF MOSES ABEJIDE ADEYEMI Circa 1880-1972: THE ALAO OF IFAKI-EKITI

By, Seye Adetunmbi

Chief Moses Abejide Adeyemi was a prominent Ifaki indigene from the household of the Olode family, the Alao ruling house for Ilao neighborhood in Ilogbe quarters. He left Ifaki perhaps as a teenager like his contemporary young men of the time who left their home town to eke a living working as alagbaro in the developed parts of the Western Region in Nigeria. Some of the earlier men who left Ifaki in those days ended up in Ago Iwoye where they worked as laborers and accepted Christian faith. These early converts; David Adelusi, Ojo Abudu and Moses Ajiboro as grown men came back home and brought Methodist Church denomination to Ifaki in the early 20^th century. Chief Abejide Adeyemi ended up in Lagos where he worked for missionaries; he became a Christian and was baptized on July 28^th, 1921.

There were no record of when he was born like many of the people of his time and the year he left Ifaki, yet available records showed that he was educated up to primary school level. He worked for some time as a clerk and was noted as a dashing young man in those days. He relocated to Ibadan in the 1920s and most of the modern generation Ifaki people knew him more as an old man, the landed gentry of Ekotedo, Ibadan. With help of the missionaries he was educated at Government Training College, Ibadan where he underwent apprenticeship to become a nurse in December 1928 and later worked at the colonial hospital which was later named Native Authority Hospital in Ibadan, as a doctor’s assistant. He was posted round various cities of Southern Nigeria, including Onisha and retired in 1930 to settle down at Ibadan. It was around this time he met his wife, Madam Janet Ibiyemi Olamudemi of the compound of Olotin Olomo yoyo (Olotin the one with many children) in Akure. Mrs Ibiyemi Adeyemi was baptized on March 27, 1921 as revealed in her baptismal certificate. She was a trader of ceramic bowls and plates (iya alawo) in Dugbe Market, Ibadan. On June 22, 1931, Baba and Mama were legally married at the registrar’s office, Mapo Hall, Ibadan consummating their earlier idana (traditional wedding).

Chief Alao bought his first plot of land opposite race course in the Ekotedo area of Ibadan and built his house there, the neighborhood where migrants then predominantly settled. The conveyance of the land now known as certificate of occupancy was dated September 28^th, 1928 and the plan for the house was approved by the district officer on December 15^th 1950. The couple, Baba and Mama Adeyemi had challenges of child bearing, the first child and boy that didn’t come early after their marriage died as a toddler. Much later, God brought lasting joy to the family, they had a cute daughter on October 12^th, 1939 and naturally she was named Oluwaremilekun and Iyabode. She was christened Victoria at Our saviour African Church on Salvation Road, Ekotedo, Ibadan and the woman became wife of Professor Babatunde Adelusi, the renowned gynecologist. Dr Mrs Remi Adelusi remained the only child of Chief & Mrs Abejide Adeyemi despite their efforts to produce another child considering the fact they were well advanced in age. Alao Adeyemi was a dotting husband and father who resisted every attempt to bring another wife from Ifaki for him. Young brilliant Oluwaremilekun had the best of upbringing her parents could afford including available toys and good clothes in vogue. She was not alone growing up because Baba brought up some of her cousins and children of other relations from Ifaki and took care of them like his biological children.

By the time duty called for him to become the head of Ilao in Ifaki-Ekiti, it was mutually agreed that he could conduct his rights and duties for the traditional chieftaincy position he held from Ibadan, his base because he was held in high esteem by his kinsmen. Chief Alao Adeyemi was very generous; his house was usually the first stop for his kinsmen from Ekiti and environs who came to Ibadan for many years. Perhaps the first time I heard about the distinguished Ifaki man was when I was in the car with my beloved father while driving through the front of his house in Ekotedo and his house was shown to me. I was too young to know the Alao coupled with the fact there were no opportunities for to see him because he was based in Ibadan. In fact I was 10 years old when Chief Alao Adeyemi passed-on on July 6^th 1972. As a high chief, the organisation of his burial was supposed to be taken over by the traditional chiefs in the town. With the intervention of Chief J. Oladayo Ojo for a special dispensation from the chiefs for the deceased to be given Christian burial, they granted it after all the traditional rites of passage have been paid for which included nineteen live goats. On Saturday July 29^th 1972, his body was laid to rest in the church compound after funeral service at Methodist Church, Ifaki. His wife passed-on barely two months after on September 10, 1972 and was buried same month in Ifaki next to her husband. May their gentle souls rest in peace, amen.