Adeyinka Adebayo

MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT ADEYINKA ADEBAYO (1928-2017): A SALUTE

By

Seye Adetunmbi, 9/3/17

I still recall joining other primary school pupils to line up the street in the late 1960s and early 1970s to wave at the Military Governors either visiting or passing through Ifaki-Ekiti. For me it was an opportunity to catch a glimpse "LIVE", the very important personality that one had heard older ones discussed or talked about, the military governor I have seen his pictures in the newspaper or heard his voice on the radio. Ifaki being a nodal town, may not be in the schedule of the august visitor yet often fell within the route, the school authorities would arrange for students to be on standby which involved a long wait in those days. My last experience in this regard was during the tenure of Brigadier Oluwole Rotimi.

All my desire to catch a glimpse of Baba General Adebayo in the late 1960s did not materialise. One of such was when Bishop Osanyin was buried at Ado Emmanuel Cathedral Church, it was my older sister who went with my parents. An opportunity came during the commissioning of the National High School, Aye-Ekiti in early 1970s a special school for the displaced children of military officers after the civil war. By the time the news of his arrival got to Ifaki, the man had departed with the chopper that brought him. The closest one was when he actually visited Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki-Ekiti for the commissioning of science laboratories in 1968, see the picture in the accompanying set to this tribute. It was during school hours, I couldn't see him like most people except the students and workers of the girls' school. Thank God for Ekiti Anglican Diocesan Synod sessions. Thereafter his retirement from the army, the annual synods afforded me the opportunity to see Baba General for real, the few times he attended the opening sessions, whenever I went in company with my very beloved venerable father in the late 1970s/1980s during the tenure of Bishop Adetiloye.


Col Conrad Nwawo NA 10 , Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo NA 7,Chief (Mrs) Felicia Adebayo, Chief Hector Omooba

I went through all that to reiterate how my generation innocently admired the regional or state number one citizen in those days. This of course contributed to my natural inclination to be friendly with some of his children that I met along the line. Also to buttress my joy for those of them that survived their elder statesman father.

    I remember that General as he was popularly called, remarked during his 80th birthday celebration in 2008 that God had been so kind to him. Indeed looking back at his military career, to God be the glory for a fulfilled life as evident in all his children that have excelled in their various callings. 

   The very caring distinguished Ekiti man invested in his children and one of his rewards is a most befitting 80 birthday ceremony they put together for their beloved father 9 years ago, while state funeral awaits the 2nd regional governor of the old western region of Nigeria.

    On many fronts he was the last man standing until his time came on 8/3/17. For instance in the military corp, he was (Nigeria Army) NA 1 (formerly NA 7) and since over 10 years ago he was the oldest living army officer. In Ekiti, he belonged to the 1943 set of Christ' School, Ado-Ekiti with the school number 43/005. His classmates that turned out to be prominent people included Chief J.M Akinola, Samuel Kila, Chief Alfred Asebiomo and Emmanuel Osanyintolu. While in the immediate set after him that made Hall of Fame list and contemporaries/friends were Chief Sam Asabia and Justice Olatawura. His other notable buddies from Ekiti were, Most Reverend Abiodun Adetiloye, Chief Ogunleye of Ara, HRM Oba Adetunla Adeleye, Elekole of Ikole and the Paramount ruler of Egbe-Oba Land. He was the only one standing, alas, they have all gone home!
 

    Baba Robert Adebayo was what Yoruba people call gbajumo enia and he was a jolly good fellow. I recall his well attended 80th birthday bash, as it was expected the ceremony paraded his peers, royalty, professional colleagues, government officials and wide range of family friends with King Sunny Ade on the band stand. The aged Most Reverend Abiodun Adetiloye delivered his sermon extempore at Archbishop Vinning Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja. My best best shot of photograph was when the all the retired Generals at the reception lined-up to give the oldest living officer and a gentleman, number NA1 salute in their mufti. Major-General Jemibewon was the parade commander and no doubt it must have been one of the happiest days of the elder statesman.

    I noticed something about him and people of his generation. They were disciplined, committed and very professional in their dealings with people. Whenever he was invited to an event through a formal invite, he would reply you in writing if he was not to going to attend. Also if he was able to attend, be assured that Major-General Adebayo would get there on or before the appointed time. He made the honor's list of Christ's School Alumni Association when Dr U.J Itsueli was inaugurated as the President of the alumni body which made me to contact him on few occasions. Baba was simple and approachable, he picked his calls. He commended the Ekitipanupo Legacy Book which I gave to him and appreciated other published books that I took to him at his Ikeja GRA home. I admired him so much.

    Major-General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo was born on March 9, 1928 in Oketoro quarter of Iyin-Ekiti by an industrious mother and public works employee father. Had his early education at at All Saints Primary School, Iyin-Ekiti, secondary at Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti and Eko Boys High School.He joined the West African Frontier Force in 1948 as a regiment signaler and later completed the Officer Cadet Training Course in Teshie, Ghana from between 1950 and 1952. He was commissioned as an officer in the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) as the 23rd West African military officer with number WA 23 and 7th in the Nigerian Army subsequent to passing the War Office Examination for Commonwealth cadets in 1952 as well as the West African qualifying examination in 1953. He became Nigerian military officer with number NA 7 after completing the War Office Cadet Training in Eaton Hall, England. He later attended the Staff College course in Camberley (Surrey) in 1960 and the prestigious Imperial Defence College, London in the late 1965 where he was the only African officer.

     His military postings include: Platoon Commander, 1954-1955; Regimental signal officer, 1955 to 1957; Between 1957 and 1958, he was an aide-de-camp to a British Governor-General (the last British Governor-General of Nigeria- Sir James Robertson-1957); Company and Detachment Commander, Ikoyi, 1958 to 1960; First Nigerian General Staff Officer, Grade 2 (Intelligence) at the United Nations Headquarters in 1961; First national general staff officer, Grade 2 Nigerian Army Headquarters, 1961-1962; First Nigerian to be appointed general staff officer Grade 1, 1962–1963; Commander, Nigerian contingent in the Congo, 1963; He served as staff officer in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force during the Congo crisis, 1961–1963; Chief of staff, Nigerian Army Headquarters, February 1964 – November 1965 (He was the first indigenous Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army); Chairman, Organization of African Unity (OAU) Defence Planning Committee, 1963–1965; Head of Nigerian delegation to the OAU Summit in Ethiopia, November 1966; Military governor, Western Nigeria, 1966–1971; Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy, 1971–1972; Ceremonial military duties, 1972–1975 and retired from the Nigerian Army with Major-General rank in July 1975.

     As a politician he was one of the founders of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and Vice-Chairman in 1979 to 1983. He served as the chairman of the Yoruba Council of Elders

On behalf of Ekitipanupo Forum, I sympathize with the noble Adebayo family. Ehin Baba a dara o, amin

Commendation Service at AVMC, Ikeja













Lying-in-State at Ado-Ekiti







Funeral

J. M. Akinola

CHIEF JONATHAN MAYOMI AKINOLA (1928-1990)

By

Seye Adetunmbi

There was a period in Nigeria that the well trained career civil servants that got to the peak of their career made public service so attractive to the ambitious members of the younger generation. The personality, character, carriage, exposure, professionalism and integrated disposition of these senior public servants made them to standout in their community, province and the region from which they came from. In essence it was not uncommon to see working class and other educated Nigerians, aspiring to join the civil service with the ultimate goal of becoming a Permanent Secretary or School Principal especially in the post colonial era. The top civil servants that succeeded the colonial masters were essentially well educated and exposed to good quality training which prepared them adequately for the administrative job after the exit of the British officials. One of the distinguished public servants in the old western region was Chief Jonathan Mayomi Oke Oguntolu Akinola who was popularly called J.M. Akinola and oga Jona (Jonathan) by his younger Ekiti kinsmen. He was among the prides of Ekiti people at home and abroad in the civil service of the old western region who were admired by many because they got to the peak of their career.

My memory of the famous Chief Jonathan Mayomi Akinola (JMA) was more like someone I first knew by his notable reputation. I was able to see him in few occasions whenever he visited Ekiti from Ibadan and stopped over to pay a courtesy call on Chief D.O. Adetunmbi at Ifaki and whenever he attended functions in his hometown and one happened to be there. Ido-Ekiti is another home for the Adetunmbi family by virtue of my father being among the pioneer teachers of Ekiti Parapo College that worked between 1954-1957 closely with Chief Ade Akomolafe before he co-started Ifaki Grammar School in 1957 at the instance of his kinsmen. It was during his stay in Ido that the lasting bond evolved with Oba Olojido Olayisade, the families of Pa Jerimiah Akinola a respected community leader, Adewa, Ade Akomolafe, Familoni, Fakuade, Ogunruku and Ogunmiluyi. Naturally I warmed up to some his children, Dr Akinjide Akinola, Akinyemi Akinola and Dotun Akinola when we met as well as his nephews that we met in the secondary school.

Hull University Law graduates, 1956, standing 4th from left was Chief J.M. Akinola

    Chief Akinola was born in Ido-Ekiti on Tuesday, 7th August 1928 into a Christian family of Pa Jeremiah Aina Akinola and Mrs Comfort Aina Ogunjolagbe Owolabi, nee Familoni. He started his primary education at Ido Public School in 1937-1940 and completed the then standard six at Emmanuel School, Ado-Ekiti in 1940-1942. He gained admission into Christ School, Ado–Ekiti for his secondary education with the school number 43/065 and was in the famous school 1943-1945 during which he displayed a distinct aptitude that earned him a double academic promotion. He completed his secondary education at Ondo Boys High School, Ondo between 1946 and 1947. He worked for two years before gaining admission to the University of Ibadan to study Classics. He later gained admission to study Law at the University of Hull Yorkshire, UK in September 1952. At the University of Hull, he excelled, finishing both a Law degree and obtaining a postgraduate certificate in Public Administration in 1956.

1st Republic South Western Region House of Assembly in the early 1960s

    JMA had a remarkable career in the civil service of the old western region. He was Clerk Assistant in the Western Regional Legislature until 1960, when Nigeria became independent. After independence, he became the first indigenous Clerk of the House, a post he occupied until 1966. Subsequent to the political unrest of the 1960s, he was absorbed into the Regional Civil Service, firstly as an under-Secretary in the Military Governor’s Office. Later in the same year he was promoted to the post of a Permanent Secretary. In this capacity, he served in various ministries, including Works and Transport, Establishment and Training, Lands and Housing, Finance and Health. He worked tirelessly to set standards in these ministries. His job took him outside Nigeria to many European countries where he represented the regional government positively and secured working partnerships with foreign useful partners to secure industrial development in the western region. Chief Akinola was a proficient, kind and dignified public servant. He extended this attitude of service to many people outside of his work environment. He gained respect and recognition from both high and low for his exemplary kindness and outstanding generosity.

    JMA was a handsome and suave family man who left lasting impression with his children and wards that he gave his best. He took up the responsibility of educating not only his immediate biological family, but extended and distant relatives as well. He was instrumental to facilitating academic scholarships for many people. After retiring as a Permanent Secretary, he was nominated and contested for the governorship seat in the then Ondo State under Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP) in 1979. He later consolidated his legal practice and business interests at Ibadan which he sustained until his transition on the 11th of March 1990. To the glory of God he obeyed God in witnessing the Gospel of Christ till his time came. He was survived by his wife, seven children and thirteen grand children.

    JMA can be described as an uncommon personality who was an outstanding technocrat, public servant, entrepreneur, philanthropist, academic, and a very caring family man. To his children he was the world's most charming, dashing, dignified and loving man. Some of them grew up under the impression that their father was larger than life, bigger than all the superheroes in the comic books he bought for them. In fairness, he was a modest man; a very polished, suave, warm and intelligent Nigerian who bestrode his environment, like a colossus. The children had it all: protection, peace, plenty and harmony in a large home full of happy people where discipline and love endured.

   Akinyemi Akinola said about his father and I quote: “Daddy had all the answers to all the questions we asked, and inscribed on us sound moral virtues. Confidence; no one alive was better than us. Humility, God made all people equal (the difference between the beggar and the prince is grace & divine appointment). Respect for others as an expression of self worth. My father was truly a wonderful fellow, very special. I look at his early years and wonder how a man with so many challenges could grow into a philanthropic titan and a bastion of love and compassion particularly to his children and at large to anyone in need. I am in awe of the warmth and enthusiasm he displayed solving problems and helping people and most of all his quick temper and then the speed with which he forgave and reconciled. He is my role model to the core. Not many could have impacted on the life and values of the people around him like my ‘super Dad’"

    Dotun Akinola captured his role model father in his fond memories thus: “My Father was always there for me. He always knew my needs and never failed to solve them. He was there for me at home, where I could always hop on his lap and tell him all the silly things I did at school; or just to report my older siblings and ‘ina (Sina) when they disciplined me. He was there to take me to school on my first day at secondary school and tell me I could be the best. He was always home at my birthday parties for me to show off to my friends. He was there to take us all out on Saturdays to Kingsway and the pool. He was there to drive us to music lessons at Mrs. Santos. He was always there when it mattered. He was always there when I needed him. I could always hop on his lap and just talk with him. He was there to pick me up and take me to bed when I fell asleep on the sofa. He was there to kiss me goodnight every night. He was there to love me. I remember I once told him that I would like to be just like him when I grew up. That was a tall order but now At least I know what to do; which is half the task.”

    I have longed to write about Chief Jonathan Mayomi Akinola. This is why I took advantage of the anniversary of his transition after I have got vintage photos to do this modest pictorial tribute. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace, Amen.

Seye Adetunmbi

11/3/17

Apostle Babalola

APOSTLE JOSEPH BABALOLA

Apostle Joseph Babalola was one of the progenitors of the early revival fire that swept through Nigeria in the early 1930's and 40's. Those who knew the man said he was on fire for God. There was not so much noise and razzmatazz. With his bell in his hand and a mismatched 'babariga' and 'sokoto' and a pair of sandal standing on a make-shift pulpit, the anointed servant of God strode through this world like a blazing comet. He didn't need to scream and shout yet he was anointed to the teeth. His simplicity and humility is simply enchanting.

    He was a terror to the kingdom of hell. He put many herbalist out of business and expelled demons who had the forest as their place of domain. Times without number it was reported that they brought the invalid to his meetings and lay them right in front of the alter where he ministered and without getting distracted from his message, the sick will get up and walk from where they have been kept.

    He turned the mountains to his Prayer gym and on one occasion, it was said while he was praying, a snake crawled over him and never cared only to get up after prayers to discover the python lying dead by his side. His sweat dropped on the reptile it dried up. I remember my boss telling me this because his father, Pa Ibitoye of Sosan, Akoko was among his lieutenants.

   The life and time of Apostle Babalola is a challenge to Christians of these days. Someone said and I quote:

"His life is a reprimand to many of us. God is seeking for men who He can invest His unction to trigger another flame of revival in this depraved world. Thank God for the world in which we live in and praise Him for the advancement of technology but this will never take the place of prayer and the Holy Spirit."

As said by John Wesley; "set me on fire Lord and cause the world to come watch me burn." This should be the prayer of believers.