Senator Olu Adetunmbi

Distinguished Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi: Celebrating the Tested Technocrat and Credible Politician at 70 

By, Seye Adetunmbi, 22/8/2025

What first occurred to me when his appointment was announced on May 8, 2025 as the Chairman  of the newly constituted South West Development Commission by the Federal Government of Nigeria was that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team got it right. Yes, it was one appointment that actually put a round peg in a round hole. His works and consultancy engagements as an accomplished consultant to many multilateral agencies, state governments in Nigeria and various federal government parastatals as a tested technocrat and proficient intellectual on development economics and related matters before his active involvement in politics made him very suitable for the task ahead. The South West Development Commission is about sustainable development across region, and the federal government of Nigeria got it right with the appointment of the Chairman, in person of Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi and the Managing Director, Dr. Charles Akinola, they are both gurus in the assignment cut for them. Also, as a two-term senator of the of the federal republic of Nigeria, he raised the bar of deliberations on the floor of the red chamber. Unequivocally, he stood out as a truly distinguished senator like a magnificent skyscraper in the midst of regular buildings. I have no doubt that he will give the new assignment one of his best shots with his commitment to drive an inclusive development across the south west region of Nigeria. All I can say to him on the new task is for him to there and excel again while trusting that all the tools that would be required to get cracking on the assignment shall be provided and out in place in earnest. 

Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi at the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria during formal presentation of Appointment letter on 23/7/25

1. Senator Adetunmbi at the State House on the 15th of May, 2025 with Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 

2. At the National Assembly with Senator Gbenga Daniel, the sponsor of the sponsor of the South West Development Commission Bill.

 

The senator met with Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos-State Governor on 22/7/25

Governor Sanwo-Olu flanked by Senator Adetunmbi, Dr Charles Akinola and Lagos State government officials

Adetunmbi and Sanwo-Olu

The Minister of Regional Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh flanked by Senator Olu Adetunmbi and Dr Charles Akinola during a courtesy call

Senator Adetunmbi and Dr Akinola during a courtsey call on Abiodun Oyebanji, the Governor of Ekiti-State

Senator Adetunmbi with Dr Ibrahim Abdul, the Provost of Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan

Senator Ayo Fasanmi and Senator Adetunmbi

As he joins the septuagenarian group, may God grant him good health, long life and renew his strength to do more great exploits as a reputable technocrat and a public servant of integrity. Happy 70th birthday to you my brother. "A good tree never begets a bad fruit." Keep the flag of the Adetunmbi gene flying and the brand shining to the glory of God and for the benefit of mankind, in Jesus Christ's name, amen.

THE DISTINGUISHED PARLIAMENTARIAN: Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi

The open nature of the deliberations of the National Assembly (NASS) through live transmission to the public makes it easy to track the performance of the elected representatives in the lower and upper chambers of where legislative matters are conducted at Abuja, in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. One legislator that stood out consistently in articulation, in the manner he marshaled his points which underscored his dedication to his legislative responsibilities and the fact that he was sufficiently prepared for deliberations in the 7^th and 9^th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District in Ekiti-State. It was a much talked about phenomenon by the close watchers of deliberations at the NASS. As a matter of fact the NASS media correspondents could not hold back their observation of the distinct outing and from the Association of National Assembly Correspondents; the distinguished Senator Adetunmbi bagged their exclusive Award of the Distinguished Senator of the year 2014. In virtually all departments of his representation, be it moving motions and sponsoring of bills, Senator Olu Adetunmbi recorded a resounding outing. One of his promises during electioneering was to look out for Federal Government job opportunities for qualified people in his constituency and to the glory of God he was able to facilitate job placement for Ekiti indigenes in various government ministries and parastatals. It is against this background of excellent representation which justified his choice and election that informed caption of this write-up, “The Distinguished Senator” in the real sense of it.

This pictorial essay tells the story of Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi as a determined politician with the strong will and persistence to realize his vision as a resourceful senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Unequivocally, he knew what he wanted with a clear vision and focused mission to see it through. These kept him going taking the challenges on his way in strides until his election after 10 years in the saddle. Indeed, it was a long journey to securing electoral mandate in Ekiti North Senatorial District.

The outstanding performance of Senator Adetunmbi was definitely not by accident. His working career in the private sector and academic background must have prepared him ahead for the legislative activities that stood him out in the NASS between 2011 and 2015. This is why this article touched extensively on the essentials of Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi as a technocrat, politician and senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On Constituency Projects, the Senator in his individual and collective capacity with his fellow senators from Ekiti State made lasting impression with the manner they went about the application of the constituency project funds allocated for their people. His background and experience as a tested development consultant was brought to bear on the appropriate legacy project that is capable of improving the lot of the people and state. The legacies of his tenure as far community development and constituency project initiatives are concerned are articulated thus:
•       Solar power lights Across Ekiti North Senatorial District
• Boreholes across Ekiti North communities
• 2.7 KVA Transformer to some Local Government in Ekiti North
• Civic Centres across Ekiti North Senatorial Area
• Facilitated the tarring of community township roads
The three senators representing Ekiti-State in 7th Assembly embarked on a joint project under the platform of the Ekiti Senators Forum aimed at locating major projects in the different districts at different times through a joint funding platform by the lawmakers. The three senators deployed the constituency funds allocated to their districts under an active partnership arrangement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ekiti State government, aimed at establishing three massive community-based projects. One water irrigation farming project worth 300 million 
Naira was commissioned at Ikosun-Ekiti in Moba Local Government.


Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi did what no politician or elected person before him in his district in terms of empowerment of his constituents. He facilitated job placements for Ekiti indigenes in the National Population Commission, Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Federal Fire Service, Immigration, Nigerian Prisons, Judiciary, Nigerian Police etc. This publication also brings into proper perspective his various empowerment initiatives and his desire to go for another term in the national assembly as a senator.

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Senator Adetunmbi at his polling unit in Ifaki-Ekiti during 2014 Senatorial election

This tribute is not meant to join issues with anyone who cannot recognize distinction nor to present the distinguished senator as perfect but celebration of excellence and to essentially document what happened for posterity and for ease of reference by those who desire to excel in their legislative calling when duty calls. It is hoped that this will inspire others who have done well in the public service and other political aspirants to get the account of their exploits published for the ease of future reference and lasting benefit of mankind. As a going concern, every well meaning Nigerian should work towards ensuring that the best candidate wins in their respective constituencies during elections in line with democratic norms in the civilized world.

Senator Adetunmbi hosted Otunba Niyi Adebayo in Abuja when he bagged National Award in 2011

Aspiration to Represent Ekiti North in the 9th Assembly
He consulted wide range of stakeholders in Ekiti North constituency in his bid to contest for the senatorial seat in response to the yearnings of his supporters.

Senator Olubunmi Ayodeji Adetunmbi is an Agricultural Economist and the Principal of Development Associates, a noted Nigerian economic development consulting firm. He has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. Over the past thirty five years, he has acquired a working experience ranging from development banking, research, human resource development, sales and marketing as well as development consulting. He has a strong experience in community development and building of indigenous knowledge systems for economic empowerment. He handled several assignments as project facilitator and program manager with responsibilities cutting across research, project design, development and implementation in rural and microfinance, agricultural credit, community development and community relations management. He worked closely with several donors and the government agencies to analyze and determine an optimal approach to enhancing financial services for Nigeria's MSME's, via commercial banks and non-bank services providers. He led many consulting and research assignments in Nigeria and other African countries.

Employment Record

His extensive integrated cognate experience and multi-discipline appointments include Managing Director: Development Associates (DA) Nigeria: January 2000– Date: (DA is a consulting firm which specializes in SME development and Microfinance services. DA has worked as project consultants to several international development consulting firms Chemonics International, WWB, USAID, World Bank, DFID, UNDP, Oil companies, Governments, Local & International NGOs).

Pioneer Executive Director: Community Development Foundation (CDF) Lagos, Nigeria: June 1993 – December 1999: (Reported to the Board of Directors, responsibilities include, setting up the organization, design and implementation of administrative accounting and program structures, fund raising, overall management of human and material resources of the organization in line with its mission and objectives through four direct reports :-  Finance & Administration; Credit; Capacity Building & Grants; and Research & Development. With an asset base of over N50m, the Foundation provided services to 95 groups made up of about 300,000 members (largely women).

Field Sales Manager: Cadbury Nigeria Plc: January 1991 – December 1992; Achievements include: (Developed field Sales Operation Manual which defines an in-depth of the function of key sales staff and serves as standard operations procedure (SOP); Development of sales territory plan and salesmen call control and monitoring systems.  This resulted into a more effective product penetration and optimal utilization of sales force; Restructured Sales Calendar from weekly to fortnightly sales cycle. This helped more effective national product distribution, market penetration and optimal use and control of salesmen.) Agricultural

Manager: Cadbury Nigeria PLC: July 1989 – December 1990; Achievements include: (Setting up of a functional Agricultural Raw Material Policy and Operational Procedures; Development of a community-based Contract Farming Scheme for sourcing of agricultural raw materials for Cadbury Nigeria in Kwara, Niger and Kaduna States; Development of strategic options for Cadbury’s future involvement in cocoa business)

Assistant Chief Research and Consultant: Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI): September 1984 – June 1989; Achievements include: (Established a functioning Research and Technical Information Division to meet the Research and Information need of the Institute; Originated a Proposal that led to a World Bank sponsored study on Management Training Implications of the Structural Changes in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector; Carried out  a study on the effect of subsidy on the ARMTI training budget.  This study led to a review of the Institute’s Accounting and Billing Systems; Carried out a summative evaluation of ARMTI Courses from 1984 – 1989.  This report was a key input in the review of ARMTI Curriculum; Initiated and anchored a National Symposium on Agricultural Insurance in Nigeria.  This Symposium was instrumental to the establishment of the National Agricultural Insurance Company)

Assistant Manager, Agricultural Credit & Finance: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN): October 1981 – August 1984. Achievements include: (Introduced new formats for Project Appraisal and Farm Visit Reports.  The new format had a synoptic approach with graphic illustration on trends of important indicators).

Others: He worked as a Freelance Consultant in 1993 on a task basis to various organisations.  Responsibilities covered Manpower Development and Training, Sector Studies, Project Feasibility Reports and Evaluation. Achievements include: Development of a Blue Print on a Media Monitoring Project on Television and Radio Broadcast in Nigeria; Preparation of a Media Campaign Plan for Pan African Conference on Reparations; Marketing Plan for Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute)

Scope of Consulting and Integrated Professional Jobs Handled

Microfinance and Micro Enterprise Development

·        DFID - PrOpCom  Project May – June 2009: Rice Millers baseline survey in Kano state

·        Grameen Foundation USA- April 2007: Due Diligence assessment for MFIs with potential for GFUSA partnership. The assignment involved investigation and analysis of organization’s administration, management and operations.

·        PrOpCom  Project June-August 2008: Assessment of needs for access to finance by 1,300 women parboilers in Kano state DFID -

·        DFID - PrOpCom Nov. 2007: Socio-economic baseline survey of Soyabean clusters in Lagos, Benue, Kaduna & Kano states

·        Socio-economic baseline survey of the Dass Rice cluster June 2006 DFID – PrOpcom

·        EoPSD/GTZ – March 2007: Follow- Up training for Adoption and Implementation of Innovative Financial Products by the Community Banks and MFIs in Niger and Nasarawa states.

·        EoPSD/GTZ – September 2006: Facilitated and support financial institutions in micro financial product development and adoption.

·        EoPSD/GTZ – September 2006: Organization and viability assessment and provision of technical assistance towards the transformation of Community Banks into Microfinance banks in Niger and Nassarawa states.

·        PRISMS/USAID & EoPSD/GTZ: Lead local consultant in curriculum review and repackaging of capacity building and training courses and Training of Trainers (TOT) for the governance and strategic management staff of community banks in Nigeria.

·        UBA – December 2005: Roadmap to Microfinance Development Strategy for UBA Private Equity Group.

·        Abuja Enterprise Agency AEA – June 2006: Cluster development and capacity building of wood and metal works SME clusters actors

·        Abuja Enterprise Agency AEA – November 2005: Development of AEA operational manual

·        PRISMS/USAID Development of due Diligence Assessment Tool for Use by Commercial Banks When Considering Wholesaling of Loan Capital Lines of Credit to Selected Community Banks.

·        PRISMS/USAID Dec 2004: Survey and Analysis of MSME Financial Services Needs.

·        West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, May-June 2004: Development of Training Materials and Training Delivery on Microfinance for professional in West Africa.

·        Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) April – May 2004: Facilitation of the stakeholders’ review of the draft policy on Microfinance and technical review of the final draft of the policy for the consideration of the board of directors of the bank.

·        Africap & United bank for Africa April August 2003: Microfinance Market Assessment and Business Plan

·        European Union July – September 2003: Review and Re-design of Microcredit Scheme in Delta Region.

·        EfDI March- April 2003: Assessment of existing microfinance products and services available in the Microfinance sector and determining gaps and potential service needs among micro and small businesses

·        COWAN, March - June 2001: Evaluation and Documentation of Integrated Health and Microfinance Project

·        Chemonics August – September 2000. Conference facilitator and provider of logistics for the          first international conference on Rural and Micro-finance in Nigeria:   Consultant to Weidemann Associates Inc. to conduct institutional assessment of retail micro-finance sector in Nigeria – May 2000.

·        Chairman, steering committee on the establishment of Microfinance Federation of Nigeria, MFN; February 1999.

·        UNDP Private Sector Development Program, Uganda April 1998. Consultant to on the design of a microfinance apex and network institution to regulate the activities of Microfinance organisations in Uganda;

·        National consultant to USAID on Microfinance and small enterprise development for NGOs in health and microcredit; May 1998.

·        UNDP MICROSTART Nigeria; February/March 1998: National consultant to microstart assessment mission on the implementation of

·        UNDP 1996 – 1998: Consultant on Microfinance in Nigeria

Policy Development

Ø  Office of head of Service/MDG October- December 2008: Capacity assessment of tertiary institutions in the south west region of Nigeria

Ø  Lagos State Government – Policy research on public transportation system and the reform and regulation of motorcycle taxis in all the local government areas of the state.

Ø  HTSPE/EME – April 2006 - July 2007: Development of World Bank’s Nigeria Country Economic Memorandum Research study of domestic trade in Nigeria: Opportunities for improving productivity and competitiveness.

Ø  Bureau of Public Sector Reform – Development of STRIDES: Strategic Training & Re-orientation for Individual Development Scheme–Pre-Retirement Training Workshop: Bureau of Public Service Reforms, August 2006.

Designed and developed STRIDES as a pre retirement training programme for the Bureau of Public Service BPSR for training severed personnel from the civil   service. STRIDES prepares employee to transit from paid to self employment by guiding employees on how to plan for a secured retirement.

Ø  Rivers State Sustainable Development Programme RSSDP, March 2007 – March 2008 - Develop, designing implementation of project management unit PMU and monitoring and evaluation M&E framework for the implementation of a sustainable community development program in 15 LGA in Rivers State

Ø  The Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA – Oct. 2005: Study of business opportunities and need for capacity assessment of wood and metal clusters in FCT

Ø  PRISMS/USAID/World Bank/DFID February, July 2005: Assessment of the Effects of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Increase in the Capitalization Requirement for Commercial Banks to N25 Billion on SME development and financing

Ø  DFID/Budget Office – June 2005: Agricultural Sector Adviser to the Budget Office of the Federation on the development of strategic budget framework for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and its parastatals.

Ø  DFID/Budget Office – June 2005: Agricultural Sector Adviser to the Budget Office of the Federation on the development of strategic budget framework for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and its parastatals.

Ø  DFID – May 2005: Study on Poverty, Inequality and Growth being a Social Impact Analysis of DFID funded Shared Growth Program.

Ø  HTSPE/EME – April 2006 - July 2006: Development of World Bank’s Nigeria Country Economic Memorandum Research study of domestic trade in Nigeria: Opportunities for improving productivity and competitiveness. Chemonics International Inc. – Feb-May 2005: New business development support for Chemonics International on the preparation of technical proposal for USAID funded Nigeria REFORMS project.

Ø  Rural Livelihood Consultations DFID February & April 2002: Facilitation and field diagnostic services in Enugu and Ekiti states to identify key stakeholders groups, common priorities as well as policy and institutional context for DFID support and possible intervention.

Ø  Lead local consultant for Department for International Development, DFID, on country strategy consultation process for the development of its poverty reduction programme in Nigeria: January – February 2000.

Ø  Resource person to the presidential panel on streamlining and rationalization of poverty alleviation institutions and agencies in Nigeria; September 1999.

Ø  Adviser to the Nigerian NGO Consultative Forum NINCOF: An umbrella association for NGOs in the development sector in Nigeria promoted by UNDP.

Special Projects

ü  Agriculture Competitiveness Programme NNF October – February 2004: Team leader for the designing of new agricultural projects that NNF for the period 2004-2008.

ü  Social Impact Assessment of Gas Project: Shell, April-August 2004 - This research study was commissioned by the Shell Petroleum Development Company SPDC to carry out a social impact assessment of the IOGP project in Gbaran Node of Bayelsa. Specifically, the research objective is to assess the views of 34 Gbaran Node communities on the benefits of the project, the positive and negative consequences of the project from planning to execution as well as the development of mitigation measures.

ü  Service Excellence and User Research: British Council, Lagos February – April 2003: Qualitative and survey research to identify and compile comprehensive data on the potential users of the Council’s services, so as to understand their perceptions and needs to structure an improved and demand driven service portfolio.

ü  Public Diplomacy market Research: British Council, Abuja: January 2003 – December 2004: Multi-stakeholder research to understand what target group thinks of the British high Commission, British Council, and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) engagement with and activity in Nigeria. The outcome of this research will inform future strategy, programs and activities of the three organizations.

ü  EfDI, August 2001: Development of Conceptual Framework for National Project on Grain Warehousing and Marketing

ü  Cashew Association of Nigeria March 2001: Capacity Building for newly formed association and conference facilitation.

ü  Lead Consultant on social impact assessment of host communities of Shell Petroleum Development Company SPDC, in Rivers State. April 2002.

ü  Consultant to Chemonics International and USAID in organising an international conference on micro and rural finance in Nigeria – September 2000.

ü  Consultant to the Institute of International Education, New York on a study on the nature, value and diversity of corporate philanthropy in Nigeria from 1990-1999 – December 2000.

ü  Preparation of a media campaign plan for pan African conference on reparations – March 1993

ü  Development of a blue print on a media monitoring project on television and radio broadcast in Nigeria – January 1993

HR and Institution Capacity Building

v  Consultant on organisation development and training for New Nigeria Foundation – May 2001.

v  Counterpart consultant to Associates for Global Change in organisation development for New Nigeria Foundation a project of the UNDP in Nigeria.

v  Consultant to Country Women Association of Nigeria COWAN, on the Women’s Health and Economic Empowerment Initiative WHEEI, to evaluate and document experience and lesions learnt among sixteen NGOs involved in health and poverty reduction activities across Nigeria – March 2001.

v  Consultant to Women World Banking to evaluate national micro-finance networks in Ghana and Gambia – April 2000.

v  Family Economic Advancement Program (FEAP) May – June, 1999: Trainer of FEAP beneficiaries and Extension agents in Rivers and Bayelsa States.

v  Consultant to DFID in the assessment of training providers in Nigeria. Jan – March 2000.

v  Consultant to Chevron Nigeria Limited on participatory and sustainable development of its host communities in the Delta region of Nigeria; September 1997 – July 1998.

v  Consultant to Department for International Development,  DFID/CBDD Project on capacity building for NGOs involved in poverty alleviation and enterprise development; July – September, 1999.

v  Technical resource person to the Women World Banking on developing African regional MFI network meetings at Addis-Ababa – Ethiopia; April 1998 and Abidjan; Cote d’Ivoire; September 1998; Senegal, October 1999, Abidjan May 2000, South Africa July 2000.

v  Marketing Plan for Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute – May 1993

Political Activities

Senator Adetunmbi was a senatorial aspirant of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Ekiti North District in 2003. His comportment as loyal and upright party man after the intrigues associated with the shadow election must have endeared him to the leadership of his political party. He was the candidate of Action Congress (AC) in Ekiti North Senatorial District in 2007 and the rerun election in 2009. He was elected as the Senator of Ekiti North Senatorial District in 2010. He also emerged as the APC candidate in Ekiti North Senatorial election of 2014. He served as the Secretary of the national Committee of APC on restricting in Nigeria in 2017 and as the Chairman of the Transition Committee constituted by Dr Kayode Fayemi, the elected governor of Ekiti-State in 2018.

Presentation of the Transition Committee Report to the Governor-elect

Education

Senator Olu Adetunmbi attended Ifaki Grammar School, Ifaki-Ekiti in 1967 to 1972; Ekitiparapo

College, Ido-Ekiti for Higher School Certificate Course in 1972 to 1974 and Polytechnic Ibadan

School of Basic Studies and passed out in1976. He is a product of the premier university in Nigeria,

University of Ibadan where he obtained B. Sc. Agricultural Economics in 1979 and MSc, Agricultural

Economics 1982

Professional Training Courses & Conferences Attended

o   International Conference on Rural and Microfinance in Nigeria, September 2000

o   Commonwealth NGO Forum; Durban, South Africa, November 1999.

o   Microcredit Council of Practitioners Meeting, New York; June 1998.

o   Technical exchange and study visit to Southshore Bank Chicago USA; March 1997.

o   World Summit on Microcredit, Washington DC, USA; February 1997.

o   ICA Global Conference on Civil Society, Cairo, Egypt; October 1996.

o   Principles and Techniques of Fund Raising; The Fund Raising School Indiana University Center on Philanthropy Indianapolis, Indiana, 1995.

o   Tools and Techniques for Enterprise Development; SEEP, GEMINI, Zambuko Trust, Kadoma Zimbabwe, 1994.

o   Sales Force Management; Lagos Business School, Lagos, Nigeria, 1992.

o   Business Skills Course, Prince Waterhouse Associates, Lagos, Nigeria, 1991.

o   Establishment Data Bases and Analytical Systems for Decision Making; Center for International Programs, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces.  NM; USA, 1988.

o   Introduction to Computer and Data Processing; Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, Ilorin, Kwara State, 1987.

o   Rural Research and Rural Policy; Institute of Developing Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, England, 1986.

o   Dacum Methodology; Holland College, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Islands, 1986.

o   Basic Management Consulting; A.R.A. Consultants, Toronto, Canada, 1985.

o   Training Needs Analysis and Evaluation; Agricultural and Rural Management, Training Institute, Ilorin, Nigeria, 1984.

o   Training for Trainers; Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, Ilorin, Nigeria, 1984.

Family Background

Adetunmbi family in 1964 L-R: Adedayo, Adenike, Baba, Mama, Oluseye, Yetunde, Mama, Olubunmi and Abimbola

The Award winning senator and his family, L-R: Kanyinsola, Busayo, Mrs Bola Adetunmbi and Babatomiwa

Senator Olubunmi Ayodeji Adetunmbi is a native of Ifaki-Ekiti. He was born on August 22, 1955 as the second child of his parents at Ido-Ekiti where his father worked as one of the pioneer teachers of Ekiti Parapo College. His father was Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi (1919-1990), onetime national leader of the Nigerian Union of Teachers and Asiwaju of Ifaki; while his mother was Chief (Mrs) Comfort Modupe Adetunmbi nee Adelusi of Ilupeju-Ekiti (1931-2018), she was the Iya-Ijo of St Michael's Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ekiti. Senator Adetunmbi is married to Dr Mrs Bola Adetunmbi (nee Adeniyi), the Managing Director of Spaces Concept Limited, Abuja. The marriage is blessed with Babatomiwa, Kanyinsola & Busayo Adetunmbi. The ordained Christian priest has a passion for good quality and responsible representation at the National Assembly.

L-R: Bishop J.K. Olowokure, Dr J.K. Fayemi, Senator & Dr Mrs Bola Adetunmbi & Bishop I.O. Olubowale after the thanksgiving service on his election in 2010, held at St Michael's Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ekiti 

Essentially, if there is anyone with germane disposition and cerebral credentials capable of appealing to discerning minds, who aspires to be a political party flag bearer for a seat in the upper National Assembly, such candidate should be put into proper perspective in the public glare. It is to guide the electorate in their choices irrespective of political affiliations. Whoever goes through the profile of Senator Olubunmi Ayodeji Adetunmbi may agree with those rooting for him that the more we have people with his kind of resume and productive exposure, actively involved in the executive and legislative arms of government at all levels, the better for the nation. When well trained and tested hands in the key sectors of the economy with highly professional disposition are in position to add value to evolving good government policies, then we are beginning to get it right as a nation

Packaged by Seye Adetunmbi

Aderemi

PRINCE MOROUNFOLU ADEDAPO ADEREMI 

A Short Memorable Life

By

Prince Adegboyega Aderemi

Morounfolu Adedapo Aderemi was six years old when his father, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, was installed as the Ooni of Ife in September, 1930. His mother, Ileladewa Aderemi, was the daughter of Ooni Adelekan, Olubuse I (1894-1909). 

Being the heir of the great Oba Aderemi, upon whose shoulders an equally great dynasty was being placed, meticulous attention was given to the young Adedapo's tutelage. 

After his early education at the private royal school in his father's palace, he proceeded to the Kings College (KC), Lagos. At the KC, Adedapo began to exhibit tendencies that were totally at variance with his conservative upbringing. In 1944, a group of students at the KC organized anti-establishment demonstrations at a time such activities were prohibited. Leading members of Hexagon, the body that mobilized fellow students for action included the Prince Adedapo, Justice Adenekan Ademola, Victor Ologundudu amongst others. Young Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu was one of the 'storm troopers' that enforced the action. 

A government enquiry was set up with the students defended by E. James Alexander Taylor, eminent lawyer and master of court room theatrics, famously called the 'cock of the bar'. The incident resulted in the conscription of Adedapo Aderemi into the army to fight in World War II ad punishment. With the KC experience, the radicalization of the young prince was complete.

Prince Adedapo Aderemi with Arthur Prest, M.L Okorodudu and a British Diplomat

After his discharge from the army, he proceeded to the U.K. and attended Lincoln College, Oxford University. He was eventually called to the English Bar in 1951. During his student years in England, he became a very radical activist. Operating from his father's residence at Hans Crescent in Belgravia, he was a regular speaker at the Hyde Park: The subject of his protests was of course the evil of colonial rule. At a point, he became a prominent member of the World Communist Students Union, with headquarters in Prague Czechoslovakia. He attracted the attention of the British Intelligence Community and during a search of his residence, Stalinist materials were discovered in ample supply. A Royalist-Stalinist. It could not have got more confounding.

Father & Son (Adegboyega)

Upon his return to in 1952, the Prince quickly found his footing in the Action Group for whom he worked tirelessly with his friend, R.A Fani-Kayode until the 1959 elections. The story of the intrigues of those elections, which led to the emergence of am independent candidate in Ife, solely funded by Oba Aderemi against the Action Group of which he was a pillar of support, is material for another time. 

After the dust of the elections had settled, the Leader of the party gave Adedapo an assignment of leadership in the Action Group's campaign Blitzkrieg of the North. For 100 consecutive days, he was involved in AG's robust engagements in the north. When the Northern Peoples Congress began to intimidate, arrest and detain A.G party leaders, the Sardauna of Sokoto persuaded the Prince to return home. He insisted on not harassing him. He presented him with a  dozen exquisitely made Hausa caps as a gesture of respect for royalty.

Prince Adedapo Aderemi flanked on the left by Justice Kayode Eso

Prince Adedapo's worldview was transcendent of partisan politics as he had friends across party lines. His bosom friend, the T.O.S Benson tried unsuccessfully to persuade him to team up with the Federal Government coalition, with the promise of a ministerial appointment. 

Fondly and variously called M. A. Obadimeji and Prince charming by his colleagues, friends and admirers, he was the quintessential aristocrat as well as the ultimate people's champion. He was just as comfortable with caviar, blue cheese and goat milk as he was with 'isa emu' (fermented palm-wine) and dele (a native Ife cuisine made of blended beans and okra). What a contradiction.

The King and his heir at the Government House Ibadan

But that was his essence. He loved his father dearly, and his father loved him with equal measure. Theirs was an unusual relationship of mutual adoration. He was his father's son, friend, confidant and heir.

When on October 15, 1963, he died at the age of 39, in the prime of his life,  a monumental tragedy struck a family for which it is yet to recover. It is amazing how people still talk fondly about this man, 53 years after his demise.

Alex Ajayi

CELEBRATING HIGH CHIEF ALEX AJAYI AT 88 YEARS

By 

Seye Adetunmbi

Stating that I admire High Chief Dr Alex Ajayi, would amount to an understatement. I have been waiting for this day so that I can celebrate him in my blog with vintage pictures as earlier promised after Deji his son mentioned it in the Christ's Alumni interactive forum sometime in May 2018. It is a thing of joy that Chief of Odoba of Ado-Ekiti marked 88 years on June 28, 2018 to the glory of God.

 Two years ago, the highly respected chief of Ado-Ewi granted an interview during which he told his story of his family background, working career and contemporary issues most of which will be quoted here. He has this say about his growing up years:

"I was born on June 28, 1930. I was privileged to come from a literate family. My father worked with missionary priests who were Oxford-trained. Ado-Ekiti, as a metropolis and occupied by agrarian people, did not develop as fast it should be in the beginning. Many towns and villages near and far from Ado produced graduates decades before our own time. My father combined teaching with evangelism. He was in charge of three schools and three churches in Ikere in the 1920s. He and one other person established the first Olu Scout Troupe in Owo where I also became a member in 1941. My mother was also trained by the missionaries. My parents traveled to different parts of the country."

I am particularly fascinated by the pedigree of High Chief Ajayi and the Ajayi family generally because they predominantly cerebral with many recorded firsts. His father, Rev J. Ade Ajayi pioneered the formation Ekiti Progressive Union which later transformed to Ekitiparapo Association. His younger brother Venerable Dr Dapo Ajayi was among the first set of early PhD holders in Ekiti Anglican Diocese and his son Professor Adesuyi Ajayi became a professor at a relatively young age and perhaps the first in his set. Apparently, brilliance and distinction are attributes of the noble family. Yes, Excellence runs in the Ade Ajayi dynasty.

Recalling the schools he attended, High Chief Ajayi said: "I attended many primary schools because my father was a headmaster and pastor. I started at St Luke’s Ikere and then St. Mary in Ode-Ekiti. I later had a stint at Emmanuel Primary School, Ado Ekiti and in All Saints, Ogbonkowo, in Ondo State. I was at St James Igbara Odo-Ekiti, when my father was the headmaster and catechist there. I was at St Patrick, Owo, in 1941. My headmaster was the D.O Fagunwa who authored Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irumale and later became my class master at Igbobi College. I later went to All Saints, Owode in Abeokuta, Ogun-State, which my father upgraded to Standard 5 and 6 till October 1943 when I came to Ado after my father was transferred to Aramoko-Ekiti. I finished Standard 6 in Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti. 

I attended Igbobi College, Lagos from 1944 to 1949. At the time, the principal was the only member of the Headmaster’s Conference of England. I got sound education from the school. Because I belonged to a group of boys who were adventurous, we begged the school to allow us to sit for a high examination and school certificate when we were in final year. We also sat for the London matriculation examination and many of us passed. I was able to teach my own mates while they were still in school because I left school months before them. I later gained admission into Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, an affiliate of University of Durham in England. The college produced Bishop Ajayi Crowther and all the great men of letters at the time. The first Nigerian Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Kenneth Dike, attended the university. I skipped the first year and spent only three years and that gave me a lot of advantages. Many of my seniors in grammar schools started working and could not continue with their education. That was how I became the first graduate in Ado Ekiti.

      The chief gave insight into his teaching career and civil service years in his statement and I quote:

"I was the principal of Fiditi Grammar School, Oyo-State, at age 26 in 1956 and produced the first set of students in 1959. I ensured that the school was stabilised before I joined the West African Examinations Council. I also established a football team and the late Teslim (Thunder) Balogun came from Ibadan to train my boys. They went on to win all their matches in the western region and even defeated the University of Ibadan football team 12-0. With that level of achievements, I joined the West African Examination Council as a pioneer staff. I was the first substantive Nigerian Assistant Registrar. I took over the control of the examination from the University of Cambridge. I took examiners to Cambridge for training across 10 years and trained them in Nigeria. I had the opportunity of issuing WAEC certificates to three former Heads of State: Buhari, Abacha and Babangida in the 60s. When I was in WAEC, I was put on the council of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1966 by the national government of Aguiyi Ironsi. I was put on three important committees. The vice-chancellor and others were interested that I became a full staff of the university which I was not really keen about. But I finally accepted out of pressure. When I was serving on the council of the University of Ife, I was among the three-member committee selected by Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the first chancellor. I was on the council that installed him in 1967. From the early days of my life, I never applied for jobs. I was just invited. I stayed at the University of Ife before I left for an examination correspondence college as a director and controller producing lectures for professional courses and involved with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Insurers and Institute of Bankers. I had the joy of launching these new lecture courses in the universities in Lagos, Ife and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka."

      Thereafter he went into private business with the then Oni of Ife of blessed memory and Leventis. he established a factory at Ibadan where he was a director and subscribing shareholder. He said: "In those days, we produced carpet used by the Senate, the Nigerian Stock Exchange and others. The carpet companies in Lagos then were just distributors; we were the real manufacturers."

   At some point he worked in the public service. Chief Ajayi served as Ado-Ekiti Local Government Chairman between 1973 and 1983. It was first under the military and was later invited to serve under the civilian government without receiving a kobo. This was when he gave out his house as Senate to the then Obafemi Awolowo University, Ado Ekiti (now Ekiti State University). The community leader is very passionate about giving to charity. He instituted a scholarship for the best final year student in Christ’s School since 1967. Those are just some flashes of his public and private life.

    The consummate family man has this to say about how he met his beloved wife: "It was during independence in 1960. We had a ceremony at a Race Course which later became Tafawa Balewa Square. A lot of my friends came all the way from Freetown to watch the independence ceremony in Lagos. So, I decided to take them out. They gave me an address. But when I got there, maybe they were not so sure of the address, there was no sight of them. I met a young lady in front of the house. I asked for direction and she tried to explain to me whether it was another street or so. That was how we met. The friendship flourished. We married six years later. She is a brilliant, healthy and virtuous woman. She was the captain of netball in her school and later captained all Lagos netball teams that toured the whole of the West."

   He also talked about his other passions as quoted here: "I enjoyed dancing a lot. In those days, we had jazz, jive, swig; these took us to different parties and restaurants in Lagos. In the university on Saturdays we had hops and dancing in the theatre. In my days in London we had Saturday hops. I am a life member of Lagos Island Club. I was a founding member of Ado Ekiti Inland Club. I was the launch chairman of scouting movement in the University of Ife in 1971. I am a life patron of Boys Brigade in Ado-Ekiti. I compose hymns and write poems. I am a life patron of the choir in St Francis in Lagos; a patron of the choir in All Saints, Yaba and in Emmanuel Cathedral in Ado-Ekiti. This gives me enough time to relax and enjoy hymns."

L-R: Right Rev Michael Ipinmoye, High Chief Alex Ajayi, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi & Okan Seye Adetunmbi at the 2nd Public Lecture of Ekitipanupo at Afe Babalola University in 2015

Chief Alex Ajayi had a memorable relationship with the sage and renowned Yoruba leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his political family. In his recall he said: "My working relationship with Chief Obafemi Awolowo started with my father. In 1954, my father became a member of the House of Assembly in Ado-Ekiti. Then, Awolowo was about founding the Action Group. At the time, not many people knew the difference between Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe. They saw Awolowo as co-runner to Zik. Many people in the West then were Zikists. When members of the assembly were elected, it was on the day the assembly was going to open that Awolowo announced Action Group and started calling people to join him. I advised my father to stay with the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons because I belonged to a group referred to as Zikists Movement. Although I had just left secondary school then, Lagos gave us much political maturity because as students, we were allowed to attend public lecturers by the likes of Nwafor Orizu Zik, among others. Awolowo put my father on a very important committee. As principal of Fiditi Grammar School, Awolowo wanted to land his helicopter on the school’s field, but I insisted that the Premier must write a letter of permission, which he did. He wrote the letter and we allowed him to land the helicopter on the school’s field in June 1959. And he campaigned. I started visiting his house. Later on, Awolowo gave the first set of 200 scholarships. Before that, he gave out 40 to graduates and post- graduates students whom I was among. He wrote us letters personally at different locations to congratulate us. I replied his letter and thanked him. He was very pleased. I later became his campaign director under the United Party of Nigeria (UPN) for the 1979 election."

Chief Alex Ajayi with his fellow Christ's School family members during 80th Founding Anniversary of the school in 2013

      He also spoke further on UPN and I quote: "The intention of the founding fathers was to build a national party with branches all over the country. I had my office in Maimalari in Maiduguri, Borno State. Awolowo had his men all over the country. It was just the reception that failed. There were people that wanted to work with him in the North but they were in the minority. They were people that were anti-establishment who would rather be on their own. There was acceptance but not enough to change the status quo. But we still won a seat in Biu Senatorial District. However, there was still rigging."

    Left to him if the 1979 election was not rigged Awolowo could still not have won the election because: "There was suspicion in the North that the first coup plotters of 1966 wanted to make him the prime minister. There was so much distrust of him in the North because many leading northern leaders were killed in the first coup. So, they didn’t want him to become the president. But some still believed in him and worked for him. We still won a seat in Biu senatorial district."

  That was the vintage octogenarian for you who will always say at it is. I long to listen to people like the Odoba of Ado-Ewi talk or tell their stories. When I saw him at the 10th anniversary celebration of Ekitipanupo Forum at Afe Babalola University, I gave him my word that I will visit him. My joy knew no bounds when I visited him at his residence in Ado-Ekiti behind the Ekiti Anglican Bishop's Court on 16/7/16 during which I took some pictures.

The best birthday gift this year for the distinguished High Chief is the award of PhD in Public Administration  honorary causa from Ekiti State University on June 23rd 2018. Congratulations sir.
Ajinde ara a ma je fun Baba Alex Ajayi ni oruko Jesu. A s'eyi s'amodun o, amin.
Happy 88th birthday to you sir.

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.

Fagunwa

Chief D. O. Fagunwa: His life, story and the myth surrounding him

Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa MBE (1903 – 9 December 1963), popularly known as D. O. Fagunwa, was a Nigerian author who pioneered the Yoruba literature. He was born in Oke-Igbo, Ondo State. Holder of the chieftaincy title, Bogunbolu of Okeigbo, Fagunwa, in his days, wrote many novels which dealt on folktale traditions and idioms, including supernatural elements. Hakeem Gbadamosi visited his home in Okeigbo to unravel the complexity on the circulated myth about the great writer’s death.

“My husband was buried in this town, his corpse was brought to his family house in Okeigbo and was buried in the church, St. Lukes Anglican Church cemetery on December 10, 1963. The records are there in the church. His resting place is still there, so the myth about his body disappearing was only an imagination of some people. My husband was a good Christian.”

These were the words of the widow of the late great Yoruba writer, Daniel OlorunfemiFagunwa, Mrs Elizabeth Adebanke Fagunwa while speaking on the circulated myth about the foremost and renowned author of Yoruba literature, Daniel .O Fagunwa disappearing from his grave after his death some 50 years ago. With this affirmation, Mrs. Fagunwa thus cleared the air over the myth that beclouded the circumstances surrounding the death of D.O Fagunwa.

The widow while giving reminiscences of the death of her husband, said the author never had any premonition about his death and confirmed that her husband actually drowned in a river in Niger State known as Wuya River while returning to Ibadan from a book tour of Northern Nigeria and his body was found at the bank of the river the third day.

Mrs. Fagunwa recalled that her late husband was appointed as the representative of the Heinemann publishers in Nigeria after having written about four books which were published by the publishing company. She said her husband’s mission to the northern part was to discover more writers for the publishing company before he met his untimely death.

Her words “My husband was the person who initiated the establishment of Heinemann publishing company in Nigeria. Heinemann published his last official book. I called it official because he was writing one which he couldn’t complete, so I regarded “AdituOlodumare” as his last official work. Now Heinemann published “Aditu Olodumare” and through that, the company decided to come to Nigeria so that they could have many writers and authors from Nigeria and published their books and my husband was appointed as the manager of the company in Nigeria.”

She said D. O .Fagunwa travelled around the country advertising Heinemann books to schools and also searching for great writers like him. Describing his last moments, she said, “He went to the northern part of the country and left home on November 16, 1963; he travelled to the north and was away until that fateful day December 7, when he wanted to come back home where we lived in Ibadan, Oke Ado in Ajanla Street. When he was coming back, he stayed the last night on earth at Bida in a hotel

She explained further that according to his late husband’s driver who was with him when he died, Fagunwa and the driver were waiting to be ferried across the river in the early hours of that fateful day. And that while they were still waiting for the ferry’s sailor at the river’s bank, the late author decided to take a walk and unfortunately, got drowned in the process.

The octogenarian widow continued, “The driver who took him to the north, James, a native of Ibadan said they were the first to get to the river bank that day so that their car will be the first to be ferried. He said they left their hotel at about 5am and the people to ferry them didn’t come until around 6am. So when they got there, Fagunwa decided to take a walk around before the people would be ready.

“So while he was strolling, and it was not yet daybreak , he (James) said he just heard a sound in the water and looked at the direction and his master was nowhere to be found. So he ran there and before he got there, he had spotted a canoe which had turned upside down; so he guessed that it was not unlikely that Fagunwa had a slip as he walked too close to the bank of the river.

He said the canoe turned upside down and covered him, he shouted for help and people came to rescue him but Fagunwa was nowhere to be found until the third day. While the people were still searching for Fagunwa in the river, message was sent to Ibadan about the ugly incident.

The wife still believed her husband would be brought home alive because according to her, the late writer was a great swimmer. But to her surprise, her husband never came home alive. Mrs. Fagunwa said this made her to subscribe to a Yoruba adage that says “ Iku ogun ninpa akinkanju, iku odoni pa omuwe.” (The brave dies in the battlefield while a greater swimmer is killed by drowning) as Fagunwa corpse was found floating on the third at the very spot where he got drowned some 72 hours earlier. But there was another mystery.

Fagunwa was found in the river with his cloth and cap intact and his pair of glasses in his hand. His wife said, “What surprised us is that he had his shoes on, with his cloth on, intact, and the cap, and had his pair of glasses in his hand. This was told by people who saw him at the river and people who saw his corpse when he was brought home.” Asked if the family suspected any foul play, she waved her hands and said “No, no and no.

It was natural. But if it were now, we might suspect that maybe somebody pushed him but in those days, there was safety. No kidnapping; murder wasn’t as bad as this, and the country wasn’t bad as this in terms of security. So it was natural.”

Mrs Fagunwa, however, debunked the myth over the disappearance of her husband’s corpse. She said the writer was buried at the St. Luke’s Church cemetery, in Okeigbo and said the family will always be ready to allow the remains of the late writer to be exhumed to let ‘the doubting Thomases’ believe that D. O. Fagunwa was interred and did not disappear as being speculated. Mrs. Fagunwa also revealed that the writer was from a Christian home and would not have anything to do with cult practices.

She said though most of his writings laid much emphasis on demons and fairies, all the characters in Fagunwa’s books were products of his imagination.

She said, “D. O. Fagunwa did not believe in native medicine; he was a Christian to the core and from a Christian home, his father was the Baba Ijo (Church’s patriarch) of St. Luke’s Church Okeigbo and the mother also became the Iya Ijo (Church matriarch) of the church too. He didn’t believe in belonging to any cult. He believed in his God but his books as you said, are based on fairies known in Yoruba as ‘Iwin’, and demons; you are right

“I am happy you are in Okeigbo now. Okeigbo was surrounded by hills and forest and the town has extensive land, though there were not as many villages as we have now in those days. They have villages and at weekend school children would go to their parents in the farms after school lapse on Friday. Some of them would go to farms which was about six to twelve miles away from the town. They normally visited the farms during weekends to help their parents in the farm and at night they will hear the sound of animals, birds and so many others. 

So from those things that he saw, he had his inspiration and he started writing. What he wrote was what one will expect when going into the thick forest, strange things and as I said earlier, he was highly gifted and many of the things he wrote were made up stories but there are some from stories passed down, So he got his inspiration from there too.

The Octogenarian who will be 81 in September said she met her husband in Okeigbo where they both hailed from and fell in love with him and later got married, though the late Fagunwa had been married to his first wife then.

When asked why she decided not to remarry after the death of her husband especially when she was still young, barely 31 when she lost her husband, Mrs. Fagunwa smiled, saying there could never be any man like D. O. Fagunwa again her life. What else can I get from any other man?

He was always there to shower me with love and affection; he made me laugh because he’s humorous. He pampered me with love, he was always there even when I didn’t need him, always providing a shoulder for me, encouraging me, Fagunwa meant love to me.

The only honour that I think I can give to him is to forget another marriage and to God be the glory, I have been able to do that for the last 50 years. She, however, said if there were chances to come back to the world and marry again, she would choose Fagunwa.

At the Fagunwa family house in Sawo compound, Okeigbo, one of his nieces, Esther Ogunrinde, eulogised the late writer. Madam Ogunrinde described Fagunwa as man of the people and as a man after the welfare of his people. She said Okeigbo would have developed more than this if he were alive because he valued education more than anything.

“The woman, however, appreciated the late Fagunwa’s wife for being the link between all family members.

Fagunwa died many years ago but his contribution towards the development of the hilly town will not be forgotten in a hurry as his name is synonymous with the mentioning of the town, Okeigbo,” she said, looking ahead in deep contemplation.

MGHS Ifaki

METHODIST GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL, IFAKI-EKITI

ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

HOMECOMING AND REUNION OF THE ALUMNI IN 2017

The old students of Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki-Ekiti had a remarkable Homecoming and Reunion in a 3-day memorable programe, June 2nd - 4th, 2017. The Secretary of the alumni association, Mrs Yemisi Fasanni nee Olorunfemi wrote:
QUOTE
May God's name be praised who granted us journey mercy to Ifaki-Ekiti and back to our destinations.
On Day One, the activity took off as scheduled on Friday 2nd June with registration of members. The Vice-President, Chief Mrs Arogundade led us to Olufaki's palace (we were all dressed in T-shirt top). We were chanting "All we are saying,restore our school back to girls school. We don't want Ifaki Grammar School in our compound". The Olufaki addressed us and promised to hasten their relocation to their new site.
We visited the Lord Bishop of Methodist Church, Ifaki Diocese; we lodged a complaint too and he intimated us of the efforts been made by the head of the Methodist church (The Prelate). We also visited a member of the governing council, in person of Mr Fadare who also promised to see that our request is granted.
The activity took off with deworming of students and registration. A total of 291 students and about 20 adults were dewormed. The remaining worm expeller were handed over to the Principal for use in the clinic
On Day Two, a total number of 163 alumni registered. The dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Elekole of Ikole with his olori, the Olufaki of Ifaki was represented by his olori and 2 High chiefs, the representative of Oluyin of Iyin.
The current Principal played a good hostess. The chief launcher sent one of his commissioners and the co-launcher too was represented. The welcome addresses were read by the School Principal and the Alumni President. Dignitaries were led to the site of the school sick bay where the official opening was carried out.
Other events of the day were cultural display, wining and dinning, dancing and fund raising. The event came to a close late in the evening
Day Three: Thanksgiving service was held at the Methodist Church Cathedral, Ilogbe quarter, Ifaki-Ekiti. To Princess Duro Ojo who provided menu for our journey, thanks for this gesture. More blessings in Jesus name.
Thanks to our dear sisters, Ainti mi Funmi Alake Apata, Abike Fadimu, Funmi Agbato and my own Princess Duro who prepared about and 100 packs of food as our lunch, Toyin Ajakaiye etc
UNQUOTE

Thank God for a wonderful reunion and homecoming. Kudos to the ladies.

Reunion in USA with Mrs Chopde

Commissioning of the Laboratories of MGHS in 1968 byMajor-General Adeyinka Adebayo, the then Military Governor of old Western Region

Mrs. Olufunmilola Badejo ( nee Aderemi). She was the assistant Senior Girl in 1968. She was demonstrating an experiment in the Physics Lab

M. A. Araoye

THE ORACLE: EMERITUS PROFESSOR MATTHEW AKINYEMI ARAOYE (1940-2018)

By

Seye Adetunmbi

After I received the sad news of the transition of Professor M. A. Araoye, my memory raced back to around 35 years ago when I saw how he took interest my beloved father and was always looking out for him medically. I noticed that most of the times he drove through Ifaki either on is way to University of Ilorin where he was based or on his way to Ekiti from Ilorin, he would make out time to check Baba to see how he was fairing. He would ask after his medications and sometimes prof came with some the prescribed medicine for my beloved father, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi. It was after I asked my father that I got to know that he was a brother of Chief Ademola Araoye who held Baba in high esteem as his senior colleague in the Nigeria Union of Teachers activism. Apparently, prof met Baba, Chief Adetunmbi through prof's brother, Chief Araoye and thereafter they bonded with one another until the transition of Baba in 1990.

Professor Araoye was a nice kindhearted person and a disciplined gentleman. I remember going to his office in at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, to complain about an ailment to him after introducing myself to him. My surname was my passport. He went where he kept medicines and gave me the drugs that healed the ailment. He said as a son of Baba I must be well behaved on the campus and this I appreciated a great deal.

I was very happy to see him at the Bishop's Court Ado-Ekiti on the 25th of April, 2016. It was during the inauguration of the Board of Governors of Ile-Abiye College of Health Technology on invitation of Chief S. B. Falegan, the Chairman of which Prof Araoye was a member. I made sure a I got him a copy of the special publication of Ekitipanupo Legacy book which he commended after going through it. And that was the last time I saw him though I called to speak with him after we met in Ado-Ekiti.

   The emeritus professor indeed lived a remarkable life of service to God and humanity. He was a product of Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti where belonged to the 1956 set with the school number 54/010. In 1979, he was appointed Lecturer and Consultant Physician at the University of Ilorin. He later served at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital as a Professor of Medicine and Dean of the College of Medicine. He was the pioneer Provost of the College of Medicine, Benue State University and also the Provost at the College of Medicine in the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital. 
   His students called him oracle! Some of the alumni of University of Ilorin that passed through his tutelage and those who had encounters with him have the quoted statements below to say about the resourceful and brilliant scholar:
    Dr Dele Abegunde wrote:
I read Seye Adetunmbi's eulogy to Professor Matthew Akinyemi Araoye and could not agree more with his capturing of the essence of the definitive Araoye, who we popularly but fearfully called - the Single Majority.
I was privileged to have been thought medicine and the character that should go with it by Prof Araoye (I wish I can capture the emphasis which which he pronounced his name personally). Araoye was indeed medicine and character personified. He was hot across all subspecialty of medicine and taught with definitive authority. Araoye demonstrated sound and leadership kind of knowledge on even non medical topics appearing to acknowledge the lesser knowledge of everybody else with a gentle knowing smile that he wore always. According to his own admission, he went to Europe to Study Mathematics, he came back home with a strong training in Medcine!
I never got along as well as tried and loved to. Baba was too focused on medicine and teaching medicine to notice any admirers. I - and a lot of us wanted to be a sound as he was.
For Baba, medicine was too sanctimonious to accommodate some off use who fraternized with Kegites, Unilorin Theatre.! And I did a tiny little bit of those even to the chagrim of some of my lecturers who saw me on stage acting role during the annual convocation plays. To cap it worse, my name appeared on a fake cultist list that was bandied on campus in 1984 - if it was during a fight between some cultist in unilorin and another in the college of Tech. Together with 4 other medical students and the Single majority was alleged to have declared that Medical students on the list were not graduating. I was preparing for my graduating exam and all the other meds on the list were not. I rushed to baba's office to protest and declare my innocence (proven latte by a probe instituted by the authorities). Baba had little time to listen to me - he was on his way to his ward round, but listened anyways (you can imagine the fear I felt, 4 years in the University on OO1, O11 when the going was good and one silly list was putting all those in jeopardy). Though I had barley seconds to defend my innocence, Baba, looked at me and delivered his judgment. "well, any medical student found wanting will not graduate!" The Oracle has spoken. Oracle was the other name we called him. I don't know if he knew. In the end the University authority probe, cut through the cheese and I was spared.
One day we were waiting for our lecture to bi=egin and were in class making so much noise that got to him in the office. Those offices in those days were small cubicles, with no air-conditioning and lectures sometimes kept their doors open for improved ventilation.  He apparently came to investigate what was happening. As soon as he peered through the door, a great silence and comportment engulfed all of us in the class (Peter Ikuabe, Ebun Bamgboye and many more,  might remember this day). Baba just looked at us is our pretenses for about 30 seconds and gestured with his hand to cut a small circle through the class declaring "by the time we graduate this number, we would have done a good job". This circle cut majority of us who were back benchers out precipitously, but before he finished the statement and drawing this imaginary circle, we in the back had carried those metal chairs (can you still remember them?) and not only moved into the frontal circle that was going to be "graduated", we were in front.
We believed he was serious, but looking back years latter, baba was only just enjoying himself at our expense, telling us to behave like doctors that we were going to be in a few months. Well 25 of 67 graduated at the first go and I can assure you, he worked tirelessly that it should be more than that.
The oracle was well respected by all including the VC then and we knew it, purely the way he applied himself and did what he had to with purpose and character.
Rather interestingly, I will miss him, like many doctors and patients alike in the field of practice. Sun re o.
     Dr Joseph Kolawole Ariyo wrote:
Seye, thanks for sharing. He was my teacher in Ilorin medical school from 1979 to 1985. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace with the Lord. The medical profession will miss him    Dr Gbenle Silas wrote:
We called him the 'Oracle'. He was also referred to as the 'single majority.'
Some of us were lucky to have had him as our lecturer.
What a fine gentleman. May his gentle soul rest In Peace. Amen. - Silas
Sunmola Bakare wrote:
One of the greats of UNILORIN. Rest well in the bosom of the Lord.
      Akin Falodun wrote:
Nice man and very close family friend, we met at the American embassy Abuja few years back and reminded him of my last encounter with him. My late uncle was breathing his last breath and we swiftly called his attention being the family physician, he responded in a jiffy but we lost him. Olubayode Daramola, the pioneer Registrar of University of Ilorin. Prof was a good man and may God grant him eternal rest.     Indeed, Professor Araoye was a distinguished academic and an honorable gentleman. The Emeritus Professor rested in the Lord on Sunday 1st of April, 2018 at the age of 78 years. May his gentle soul rest in peace, amen.