Folayan

HONORABLE MOSES ADEFIOYE FOLAYAN: AN IMITABLE HUSBAND AND FATHER

When children celebrate their parents in the public it points to one fact that they have done their family, wards and associates proud. The inspiring profile of Baba, Moses Adefioye Folayan JP bears testimony to this. He is a well rounded patriarch of his family who led an exemplary life as a husband, father, civil servant, politician and a good Nigerian citizen in all departments. He remains a dotting husband to his wife and made marriage beautiful to people around them over the years and in their old age to the delight of all. In his own written brief biography, he wrote meticulously: 

"I was born at Aramoko-Ekiti on the 3rd day of May, 1931. My parents were Mr. Nehemiah Folayan and Chief Mrs Rachael Oni Osunjolagbe Folayan, both were natives of Aramoko in, Ekiti West Local Government of Ekiti-State of Nigeria. Both parents had no western education but they could read Yoruba fluently. They were Christians and belonged to the Anglican Communion. They were members of St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Aramoko-Ekiti. My father died pre-maturely at the age of about 58 years, he lived from 1900 to February, 1958, while my mother lived between 1908 and 1999. They both had four children, three males and one female as follows: Mr. Afolabi Folayan 1928-2002, Honorable Adefioye Folayan who was born in 1931,  Chief Idowu Folayan, he was born in 1937 and Engineer Eminola Awolokun nee Folayan, she was born in 1949. My father had another son, Rufus Oladosu Folayan who lived between 1944 and 1997. Three out of my father’s children are educated, my immediate brother, Idowu and Oladosu did not receive any formal western education, yet they could read and write, and they were businessmen of good repute. Late Afolabi Folayan was the first born. He was well read and retired as a Permanent Secretary in the old Ondo-State while I, Adefioye retired from the defunct Ondo-State Sports Council. Engineer Mrs. Eminola Awolokun retired as a Commissioner in the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission."

    Honorable M. A. Folayan attended St. Philip’s Anglican Primary School, Aramoko-Ekiti and St. Stephen’s Primary School, Ondo. He attended Divisional Teachers Training College, Ondo and St. Peter’s Teacher Training College, Akure. He also attended Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan and Institute for Sports, Surulere, Lagos. He taught in the following schools: L. A. School, lgbara-Oke lfedore Local Government; L. A. School, Eleyowo, Akure Local Government; L. A. School, ljre, Ifedore Local Government; A.U.D Erio-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government; A.U.D Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government; St. James School, Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government; St. Michael’s Ikoro, Ijero Local Government and Ondo State Sports Council Akure. He also worked in the following Zonal offices of the Ondo State, Ado-Ekiti and Akure Zonal Office and Owo Zonal Office respectively. After his retirement he was appointed as a Customary Court Judge under Ekiti State Judiciary for seven years.

Honorable Folayan further recalled: "When I was a student at the Divisional Teacher Training College, Ondo in 1955, I met my wife who was still in the Primary School, it was then we started our courtship. She was in the Secondary Modern School between 1959 and 1961, 1 was also at St. Peter’s Teacher Training College, Akure between 1960 and 1961. I left St. Peter’s Teacher Training College, Akure in December 1961 and she also left Secondary Modern School the same year, 1961. We got married in 1962 while I was teaching at L. A. School, Ijare in Akure Local Government Education Authority Area. Our first born, Folasade was born at Ijare in 1962. I got to Erio-Ekiti in 1964. To the glory of God, my children are: Folasade now Mrs. F. F. Ofi​​​ an ​Occupational Health Nurse; Kehinde Folayan​​​​​-, a Naval Officer;  Olaniyi Folayan​​​​​, a Civil Engineer; Bolade now Mrs. B. A. Jimoh ​​​, a Chartered Accountant; Olanrewaju Folayan​​​​, an Architect and Barrister Olaiya Olayinka (Mrs. O.O Abe)​, a ​lawyer".

   Baba Folayan is a man of many parts and in each situation he has good stories to tell. Recalling his other activities he said; "I was a good sports man, a long distance runner - 880 yards and l,760 yards i.e. 1 mile. These were regarded as long distant event at our own time. I was the captain of athletics of my school at the Divisional Teacher Training College and St. Peter’s Teacher Training College, Akure. I represented my college at Inter-Collegiate Athletics Sports Competitions. I represented Ondo Province in Athletics on many occasions. Competitions were usually held at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. I was nick-named “MILLER” by my colleagues and fans. I won several medals. In those days, we were usually presented with certificates; there was no prize money as the case nowadays. All these sports certificates that I put together and presented at the interview conducted by the Ondo State Sports Council in 1977 to qualify me for the appointment of the Sports Organizer. I was secretary to the following sporting associations in Ondo State during my service period: Ondo State Athletics Association; Ondo State Badminton Association; Ondo State Hand ball Association; Ondo State Lawn Tennis Association; Squash Racket Association and Ondo State Weight Lifting Association;  I also served as the Zonal Sports Organizer of the following zones: Owo Zonal Office, Owo; Ikere Zonal Office, Ikere-Ekiti; Ado-Ekiti Zonal Office and Akure Zonal Office, Akure.

    Honorable Moses Folayan is a practicing Christian and an active member of the Anglican Church in Ekiti. At various times, he was a pastor’s warden for many years and the church auditor. He served as one of the Parish Church Council members for years, the church delegate from old Ekiti Diocese and foundation member of Ekiti West Diocese. He was also one of the board members of Ekiti West Diocese for two synods i.e. for eight consecutive years. He is the life president of male elders’ society of St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Aramoko-Ekiti. He made pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the year 2009 and a Justice of the Peace Award holder. He attended Cooperative College and obtained Diploma in Cooperative Management. He served as the President Akorewolu Cooperative Investment and Credit Union Limited with seat in Aramoko-Ekiti. 

    Honorable Adefioye Folayan is also a progressive politician. According him; "I was a foundation member of Action Group of Nigeria from the inception of the party in Aramoko land; I was appointed a secretary of the party. In 1964, alleged by the opposition that I was opposing the NDP of Nigeria. I was among the six teachers arrested and detained in the prison at Ado-Ekiti. The case lasted three months. Late James Ibidiran Folayan and Late Barrister Oluwole were the party lawyers. Who assisted the party to win the case at last. I am still an active member of APC". 
   May God continue to keep Baba Ade Folayan strong for the family and community at large in Jesus mighty name, amen.

MRS JANET ADENIKE IBITOMI FOLAYAN: A DEVOTED WIFE AND MOTHER 

Baba and Mama Folayan are practically inseparable. It would not surprise those who knew them over the years because they courted for 7 years before they got married. Baba Moses and Mama Janet Folayan are not just husband and wife, they are best of friends who are very fond of one another. Their children hold on to family values like their parents. Virtually all them replicated the love of husband and wife in their respective homes to the glory of God.

    Mrs Janet Adenike Ibitomi Folayan was born on the 14th day of July, 1938. Her parents were Chief Ogunniyi (now changed to Oluwaniyi), the Chief Sawe of Aramoko-Ekiti and Madam Rachael Ige Oluwaniyi, of Ikunato Street in Aramoko. She is the first born of her mother and the fourth child of her father. Her Grandmother, Madam Mary Funmilayo took care of her from infant; she lived with her at Alele Street in Aramoko-Ekiti. She started school very late at St. Joseph’s C.A.C Primary School, Aramoko-Ekiti in 1950. She finished from the primary school in December, 1956. She left for Ibadan where she was employed as a clerk of Mr. Idowu Odebunmi, the father of Hon. Kehinde Odebunmi between 1958 and 1959. She attended St. John’s Secondary Modern School between 1960 and 1961, where she obtained Secondary Modern School Leaving Certificate.

   Incidentally her intended husband then, Hon. M. Ade Folayan finished his grade II Teachers Training Course from St. Peter’s Catholic College, Akure in the same year, 1961. He was posted to L.A. School I, Ijare Local Government Area, Akure Education Authority. Because of their age, they were joined together in wedlock in January 1962. Her husband opened a provisions retail shop for her at the same time undergoing a private typewriting training course at Ijare. She had her first child, Folasade in that same year. Her Husband was later transferred to A. U. D. Primary School, Erio-Ekiti as the Headmaster in Ekiti West Local Government. This necessitated her relocation to Aramoko her home town. She continued with her petty trading which was flourishing well.

In 1969, she attended Poultry Training Course at Fasola Oyo Alaafin in Oyo State. She was relocated to Orin farm settlement, Orin-Ekiti. Being someone who has passion for teaching job, in 1970 she was offered auxiliary teaching appointment and posted to Baptist Primary School, Iloro-Ekiti in ljero Local Government Area and later transferred to St. Michael’s Primary School, Ikoro-Ekiti. In 1974, she gained admission to the Divisional Teachers Training College, Ikere-Ekiti for a three years course. 

     At the end of her training course in 1977, she was posted to Catholic Primary School, Ijero-Ekiti. She was transferred to Baptist Primary School, Aramoko in l977 that same year. In October 1977, her husband got an appointment with the defunct Ondo State Sports Council which made her to request for a transfer to our Saviour's Primary School, Odo Ijoka, Akure. She taught in many schools in Akure such as St. Peter’s Demonstration Primary School, Akure and Salvation Army Primary School, Akure, before her husband’s voluntarily retired in 1991.

    Before the creation of Ekiti-State, her husband was given seven year appointment in the then Ondo State Judiciary to work at Aramoko-Ekiti as a Customary Court Judge. This necessitated her transfer to Ekiti State for the continuation of her teaching appointment at St. John’s Anglican Primary School in 1992. She retired voluntarily from the teaching service in July 2005. Since 1990, Mama has been managing her health challenges and through the grace of God, she is up and doing today. She is ever grateful to God Almighty, her husband, her children, sister and brother for their moral and integrated supports in all fronts. 
    Mama Ibitomi believes so much in the Almighty God, and loved prayers. She loves singing too, she came from Christ Apostolic Church background, and married to an Anglican Communion persuasion husband, this really helped her to progress a lot in her journey of faith. She belongs to Women Guild and other Women Organizations. She is the President of Female Elders Society of St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Aramoko 

    It must be noted that in the youthful years, she was a volleyball player. She was also a sprinter in athletics. She also loves dancing and listening to good music. She was a woman leader as a political activist. She was very much involved in political events in Aramoko. When Mrs. Hannah Dideolu Awolowo visited Aramoko in 1964; she was the one who led the women group. She was the one who received her with a welcome address. Mummy Folayan as a church worker served a member of the guild of stewards in the Anglican Church, being a side lady for so many years until old age and health challenges could not allow her. Mummy also  has a caring heart. She distributes rice to the widows yearly during the Christmas.

Children: Mrs Folasade Ofi, an occupational health nurse; Mr. Kehinde Folayan, a Naval officer; Mr. Idowu Folayan, Civil engineer; Mrs. Bolade Jimoh, a chartered accountant; Mr Lanre Folayan – non-governmental organisation (NGO) consultant and Mrs. Olaiya Abe, a lawyer

BRIEF HISTORY OF ARAMOKO-EKITI

By,

Honorable M. A. Folayan 

His Royal Majesty, The Alara of Aramoko is one of the sons of His Imperial Majesty the Oni of Ile-Ife, incidentally Alara, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti and the Orangun of Ila in Osun-State were born of the same mother. Alara left Ile-Ife through Ile-Oluji. It was at Ile-Oluji that one of his sons Olu slept and was unable to wake up the following morning hence the town was named the land where Olu could not wake up -   ILE OLU KO JI (Ile-Oluji). They left Ile-Oluji for Ilara Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Ondo-State, they sojourned there for some years before they shifted to OHAN now Erijiayn in Ekiti West Local Government, Ekiti-State. They stayed there for some time, the oracle told them to leave OHAN for the present Aramoko-Ekiti.

They initially stopped over somewhere at Oke-Oja, they noticed a strange sound not far from their place of abode. They were very inquisitive and continued to search for actual sound, at last it was the sound of a river and they eventually named it River Areti.

They soon left for Igbo-Owa at Igando area where Ola met Awe and the spot where the two men met was named Olakowe i.e. Ola met Awe, that is the name of one of the streets in Aramoko till the present day. It is usually called “Alakowe” our dialect. Aramoko is the headquarter of Ekiti West Local Government. Alara, the paramount ruler is one of the 1st Class Obas in Ekiti-State; presently he is the chancellor of Ekiti State University. Long live the king, Oba Lasisi Olu Adeyemi, a retired Permanent Secretary in Ondo-State.

Ebun Faloye

OCTOGENARIAN MRS EBUN FALOYE

By

Seye Adetunmbi, 2/12/19

To the glory of God, Mrs Ebunoluwa Esther Faloye, nee Aderiye joined the group of octogenarians on December 2nd, 2019. After meritorious career in the civil service, she retired as a Director in the old Oyo-State government of Nigeria.

Mrs Ebun Faloye was born on the 2nd of December 1939 by Madam Ibidun Comfort Olawuyi of Ara community in Osun-State and her father was Chief J.N.A. Aderiye, a native of Ifaki-Ekiti.

She started her primary education in the early 1940s at St Stephens Primary School, Ora in Osun State. She is a product of the prestigious Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti when she attended Ekiti Anglican Girls School, Ado-Ekiti. She also attended St Margaret Secondary School, Ilesha. Mrs Faloye is also a product of University of Birmingham where she graduated in the Library Studies and worked as a Senior Library Assistant at Hackney in London.

She started her civil service working career as a Library Assistant in the old Western Region at Ibadan, in the Ministry of Education, General Publication section.

Mrs Ebun Faloye and her children

Octogenarian Mummy flanked by her beloved sons, Justice and Ope

Mrs Ebun Faloye made a mark as a Library Officer at the Western State Court of Appeal, Ibadan and as Librarian Grade 1, High Court of justice Ibadan. She rose to be a Director before retiring in the public service to the glory God.

It give me great pleasure to celebrate a beloved and pretty aunt on her 80th birthday anniversary. I am always delighted seeing her at every opportunity. I took special note of her love for every member of our family. From time to time, she calls to ask after everyone in the family. My prayer is that God will grant her good health in her old age and things of joy she will continue to see for the rest of her life in Jesus name.

Happy 80th natal day to you ma.

Abigail Olowokure

ABIGAIL KEHINDE OLOWOKURE (1934-2019)

By, Seye Adetunmbi

The family of Aina in Iludun-Ekiti was blessed with the birth of a unique set of twins on a special date, January 1^st 1934. Iludun-Ekiti was formerly called Iporo-Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti-State. Mrs Abigail Kehinde Olowokure, nee Aina was one of the first set of twins of her mother, Madam Alice Ajayi Fasheyi. The twin brother was Pa Taiwo Rufus Aina. Their father was Joseph Aina of Epe extended family compound in Iludun-Ekiti.

Education

Mrs A. K. Olowokure started her primary school education at St. David’s Primary School, Iludun-Ekiti in the late 1940s. She continued the primary school education at St. John’s Primary School, Iye-Ekiti where she obtained Standard Six School certificate in 1953. She later trained as a teacher at Ekiti Divisional Teacher Training College, Ikere-Ekiti where she qualified as a Grade II Teacher after spending three years in the college.

Working Career

She first taught with her Standard Six Certificate as a pupil teacher at St David’s Primary School in Iludun-Ekiti in 1954 and at St Stephen’s Primary School, Odo Ora-Ekiti in 1955. She worked at Salvation Army School, Idikan, Ibadan in 1956 to 59; Sacred Catholic School, Idikan in 1960; L. A. School Iyana Idere, Ibadan in 1961 to 62 and St Stephens’s School, Ere-Ijesa in 1963 to 1966. Subsequent to her training as a Grade II teacher at Ekiti Teacher’s College, Ikere-Ekiti in 1968 to 1970 she worked as a teacher at St John/Mary Demonstration School, Owo in 1970 to 1975; St Paul’s School, Odo Ado-Ekiti in 1975 to 76; Christ’s Primary School, Ondo in 1976 to 1986 and St Luke’s School, Oka, Ondo where she retired on August 31^st 1986.

Marriage and Her Family

Providence brought the two distinguished “Kehindes” (Baba and Mama Bishop) together in early 1950s when they first met. The Right Reverend J. O. Kehinde Olowokure was a teacher at St John’s Primary School, Iye-Ekiti and Mama; Abigail Kehinde Olowokure was one of his pupils in Standard III and IV. Through the grace of God, the ordained encounter of a lady-twin from Ekiti and a gentleman-twin from Ijesa led to marriage at St. David’s Anglican Church, Iludun-Ekiti in 1954. To the glory of God the almighty, the marriage had been blessed with three successful children: Pastor Mrs Mary Moji McCauley, Pastor Mrs Modupe Adetunji and Mrs Yetunde Ogunrinde.

Diligent and Industrious Woman of Substance

Mama Olowokure was a dedicated and a resourceful school teacher. While she was a teacher at St. John/Mary Primary School, she was the Captain of the Girls’ Brigade in 1966-1973 during which Mrs Mary Moji McCauley; her eldest daughter was one of her students in Primary II and a member of the school brigade. Also she was the teacher of her daughter, Mrs Yetunde Ogunrinde in Primary V. She retired from teaching service when her husband, The Right Reverend J.O.K. Olowokure was consecrated as a Lord Bishop in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion in 1986. She will go down in his history as an exemplary diligent wife of a clergyman. She belonged to the school of thought that the wife of a priest must work to support the family. She took into aso adire business and trained some of her fellow clergy-wives where her husband served as a priest.

    Mummy, as she was popularly called by her husband and children was a pillar of support to her husband in the family. She stood like the rock of Gibraltar behind Daddy Bishop in all fronts in raising the children and contributed immensely to the successful career of the patriarch as a teacher, priest and in his Episcopal ministry. In 1988 and 1998, she joined her husband to attend the famous Lambeth Conference of Bishops which was convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury and held in England. She also attended Canterbury Summer School programme in 1985.

    Mummy exemplified motherhood and a virtuous wife in all departments. She was very neat, meticulous and inimitable in her dressing style. She took good care of her husband; daddy in turn reciprocated the caring virtue when she became indisposed and weak. Mummy and Daddy Olowokure were practically inseparable, they made marriage so beautiful and delightful to everyone who moved close them. Mummy and Daddy Olowokure were practically inseparable, they made marriage so beautiful and delightful to everyone who moved close them.

     Mummy abhorred lying. If you lied before her and she detected you would fall out of her favour. She would not tolerate intolerance. She was very blunt in her approach to matters. Market women during the reign of the Late Oba Taiwo Aribisala approached her many times to help them speak to him whenever they had any dispute with the Oba because they knew that the Oba had great respect for her. This she did with success many times. She prevented the breakdown of some family homes by setting their naughty dispute amicably.

   Mummy Abigail bonded well with her husband’s identical twin brother, Professor Taiwo Olowokure and his family. She had her story to tell of the exemplary identical twins in the early days of her marriage. She was engaging Taiwo in a discussion and the identical twin brother was calm, when his identical twin brother, Kehinde came in, he then smiled and told mummy to continue her discussion with her husband. Mummy said, since then she mastered identifying her Kehinde husband. In retirement, the two couples lived together in the same compound. They worshipped together in the family chapel inside the residence of the Lord Bishop every day whenever they were all around. They alternate having meals together in their individual apartments. No doubt, mummy will be missed in the family with her exit; the daily routine would no longer be the same any more.

    Mummy Kehinde Olowokure was an industrious lady of substance. Her venture into adire and aso-oke trading business in her active days was very successful. She loved farming and rearing of animals. During harvest season, visitors are likely to leave some maize from her orchard. She was noted for accountability and bluntness. She was a disciplinarian as a mother, as a teacher and as a priest’s wife. Those not inclined to uprightness hardly got along with her while she was the most pleasant to be with, in her elements with her generous and sincere smiles. Mummy was very modest and contented. When HRM Oba Aribisala, the Elegboro of Egboro Land in Ijebu-Jesa wanted her to accept honourary chieftaincy title from his kingdom, she politely said that the Iyawo Alufa title was adequate for her. 

    She also had a remarkable caring heart and was a family woman to the core. She brought up many children beyond her biological ones. She was always looking out for the interest of the children of her siblings and any other person in need. With discipline and love she raised every child under the family’s care like her own. With Daddy Bishop on her side, they jointly gave the wards in their care good education which all the beneficiaries appreciate forever and everyone of them turned out well today to the glory of God.

The Best Godmother in The World

My cherished relationship with Mummy Olowokure started in 1962 when Daddy Bishop, The Right Reverend J.O.K Olowokure became the first ordained graduate priest to serve at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki, the home parish of my parents, Chief and Mrs D.O. Adetunmbi of blessed memory. Mummy A. K. Olowokure and my mother attended antenatal together that very year they got to Ifaki. I was born on July 21^st while Yetunde her last born was born two weeks after on August 5^th. At my baptism, The Rt. Reverend and Mrs J.O.K. were my godparents. That was the root of my bond with the family of Baba and Mama Olowokure.

            My parents told me about them when I have come of age and I was always happy to see them whenever they visited us at Ifaki or when we met at family functions. I noticed that they were always at our family function, distance was never a constraint. I naturally developed special interest in my godparents and was always looking out for them. They came for my wedding ceremony in Lagos. At every opportunity, I visited Daddy and mummy at Ijebu-Jesa after their retirement.

They often asked after my welfare and that of my siblings. They were there for us when my father joined the saints triumphant in 1990 and my mother in 2017. My family spent weekends with them at their Ijebu-Jesa residence during which mummy spoilt us and packed items for us to take with us back to Lagos. We were always looking forward to every opportunity to spend time with my amazing godparents. I particularly cherish the morning devotion at the family chapel during my visit. His twin brother and wife, together with everyone at home were part of the daily worship and prayer session.

            If I didn’t want to eat whenever I wanted to stopover on my way to or from Ekiti, then I would deliberately not inform mummy or daddy that I was coming, otherwise, special meal will be available for me as soon as I get to their house. Mummy was very caring and loving. I was always excited seeing her and Baba Bishop. Her deep and sincere smiles encapsulate the warm reception I receive every time which often make me look forward to the next opportunity of a memorable visit. I also loved to see her and my mother in their elements whenever they saw one another.  

   When the time of Mama Abigail Kehinde Olowokure came on September 1st 2019, the family members and her other loved ones took it with heavy heart yet with thanksgiving to God. She was survived by her beloved husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nephews, nieces and numerous cousins. May God console Daddy on the transition of his beloved wife. Bi o se wu Olorun lo se nse ola re. We take solace in the fact that God takes away His loved ones at a point considered best for them. O digba mummy. Sleep well and fare thee well ma, the best godmother in the world. 

Eternal rest grant mummy oh Lord.

FINAL RITES

Wake Keep

Funeral Service 

Interment

Christ's School Ado-Ekiti alumni/classmates of Yetunde at the Reception

Okan Eletolua Musings

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE IN GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA 

It is about who you are, how you got to the office, where authority is derived from, his/her personal values, the company you keep or the kind of appointees in government, attitude of the elected fellow in charge, disposition to life, personal aspirations, mentors and role models. All these will combine together to define your action, what you subscribe to and the kind of decisions you make as a governor of a state or the president of a nation.

It is not the political party in government but the characteristics of the chief executive officer of the state. Check out for instance how Seyi Makinde started off in Oyo-State. The difference is indeed clear in governance. The guy genuinely means business of instituting an enduring good governance. It is a commendable good start.

If a governor has a godfather or committed to the “point of no return” to those instrumental to how he/she got to government and the fellow sets personal target on the kind of money and assets to acquire while in government, then there are certainly some decisions that will be difficult for such person to make or take. The governed will be short-changed no matter cosmetic policies are implemented, it takes discerning eyes to figure things out😊

Fighting corruption effectively will be a tall order. Getting the best deal and appropriate people to execute some professional services at best market prices would be tough for obvious reasons - pre election/political positioning mandate and inner caucus nocturnal agreements that will take precedent over larger interests.

Seyi Makinde is able to do all these because he was rich enough to fund his political election to a reasonable extent on his own through the resources acquired in his fruitful private sector successful business. The icing of the cake is the fact that he has a pure heart without any hidden agenda to corner state resources. The morning shows the day. His victory at the polls says it all by defeating the candidate of a popular political party in government!

Another good example of someone who made the difference in governance is Alhaji Lateef K. Jakande. When he was a governor, he lived in his house, rode in his personal car and never set out to corner resources of the state for any future political ambition. The available state resources were put into optimal use to the best of his ability. 

Cowboy governors, grandiloquent politicians and insensitive government officials have dominated our political space to make life more difficult for the poor masses. They now make sustainable good governance looks like a rocket science as if Awo and his team were out of this world and from another planet!

I have always written about it that it is so easy to standout in governance in Nigeria. Everything depends on who is in charge, his/her inspiration and motive for getting  involved in governance, all other things being equal. Make the governed the priority. Have a classified consideration for the poor masses by being their true representative in the real sense of it, you will get the policies and other government matters right.

May the tribe of omoluabi Seyi Makinde increase in Nigeria🙏🏿

Referendum for Yoruba lea

Remi Adelusi: A Human Diamond - Prof Tunde Adeniran

A FITTING TRIBUTE TO A HUMAN DIAMOND

Being Comments of Prof. Tunde Adeniran KJW, OFR, FCPA on the book True Love Never Dies: The Love Story of Iyabode Oluremi Adelusi by Ladi Babson; published in Ibadan, Nigeria in 2018 by Bookbuilders. Editions Africa

In an age that all of mankind now lives in an increasing loss of its humanity occasioned by heightened social disorder, mounting global tension, alarming decline in family values and of human dignity, the centrality of living a life of due reverence for God, commitment to noble ideals, true love for one’s spouse, children, family members, kith and kin, and goodwill to fellow men and women of all creed and class, is key to achieving harmony amongst families, communities and the human society in general.

The foregoing is the central focus of True Love Never Dies, a biographical book of chronicle written by Ladi Balogun and meant to preserve a rich measure of the sublime life and times of a virtuous woman, our own Iyabode Oluremi Adelusi who although transited to the extra-terrestrial realm untimely, lives on in our hearts. This shall become evident in the course of my random comments to be made not in the tradition of a general book review!

Incontrovertibly, Mummy Oluremi, on all accounts, was a remarkable and special woman who lived a great life and was admired as a proud emblem of her generation, the womenfolk and as one of the foremost women of her time, not only in Ifaki-Ekiti her native home, but across Yoruba land in general. Truly, she was a human diamond - one who represented the finest of our humanity.

This inspirational book, which I consider as a commendable contribution to Nigeria and the human society in general, is written by an author who, as demonstrated in the work, writes with the command of an expert in soul matters as he draws one evocatively into the fascinating and thrilling mystery of the game of love, a phenomenon that has in all ages proven too difficult, very complex and far beyond the understanding of man. The book awesomely x-rays the union of this unique couple and their lives together in the marriage institution, thereby providing insightful nugget and guide to intending or new couples, all categories of adults and the general public for them to successfully navigate through the very delicate intricacies of home-building.

The book brings to the fore the prime place of enriching and dignifying noble values, purposeful life and impact on the human society – ideals and virtues for which the late Oluremi was renowned.

It largely highlights the significance of love that comes from the heart - genuine love which strongly emphasizes the associated giving that comes with love and the love that comes with giving. Bishop David Oyedepo, one of Nigeria’s leading Pentecostal ministers once made a profound statement that there is no loving without giving and there is no giving without loving. His assertion is quite true about Oluremi, a fantastic giver who, according to the tribute of Adedapo Aderonke, her only daughter, was an extremely charitable person who had all the time in the world for her family and yet had so much time for everyone else around her. She practically lived a life of loving and ceaseless giving, and totally made a donation of her life to the good of her family and society at large.

By adopting a moral and biblical compass, Oluremi succeeded in living a healthy, well-balanced and purpose-driven life and, by so doing, she deepened the community love of Christ within the church, her immediate and extended family, her native community and reached out in God’s love to the community around her all through her sojourn on this earthly side of the divide. In all of these, she learnt, developed, demonstrated and lived a life of absolute faith in the face of daunting challenges as well as the Christ-like virtues of patience, selflessness, kindness and forgiveness.

Now to some specifics. I find the title of the book apposite, the contents not only deep but outstanding and the overall quality superb. The book, which comes in 15 chapters of 280 pages, is presented very lucidly in the rich language and style of an academic, teacher and a culture enthusiast. Each chapter deeply combed and interrogated every critical juncture and phase of the eminent life of the subject and commendably brought out the fine details in an honest manner without undue embellishments.

Oluremi Adelusi, the amazing amazon, a rare Ifaki gem and pride of Ekiti; a dutiful wife and mother; a thorough-bred educationist, first-rate teacher, scholar, role model and a devoted and true worshipper of God was, in her lifetime, an unwavering Nigerian patriot, an exemplar of virtue and a highly esteemed woman of faith who possessed solid character; a woman of prodigious accomplishment whom I have tremendous respect and personal admiration for on account of her admirable attributes of love and commitment, sacrificial giving, forthrightness, integrity, devotion, courage of conviction and for being a proud emblem of her generation and an awesome inspiration to the women folk, was a remarkable figure and one of the most highly inspiring personalities of her time.

Her life indeed made vivid impressions and indelible marks in the lives of not only those close to her and the womenfolk, but for all of us who saw her as an illuminating guiding light. The greatness of her family pedigree and upbringing is one that symbolizes a measure of nobility and commitment to positive values which define the highly cherished ‘omoluabi’ ideals and ethos that  are greatly valued from one generation of the Yoruba people to another. Her noble lineage was eminent and admirable. It is deeply rooted in a rich tradition and history of true service to community and God. Her father, Chief Moses Abejide Adeyemi, being the then Alao Ilao of Ifaki, who in his early days as a young man was one of his age-group in the community and its environs who left their upland communities (iluoke) for the more sophisticated lowland parts of the Western Region such as Ibadan, Ijebu and Abeokuta, among others, to eke out a living working and, in the course of time, got converted to Christianity and, upon their return home as adults, entrenched  their new faith in Ifaki community.

For me, I consider the life of Mummy Oluremi as well as her parentage as a worthy reference and inspirational model of the highest ideals of sacrificial services to community and church which should continue to inspire this generation and succeeding generations in living a life of positive impact, uncompromising and deep-seated love for service.

In all the epochs and different phases of her eventful an exciting life, a common thread of open heart and devotion to her values apparently ran through, whether as an impressionable and vivacious young girl at the Ebenezer African School, Ekotedo- Ibadan; as an ebony beauty teenager at St. Anne’s Girls’ School, Molete-Ibadan; in her Higher School Certificate (HSC) days at Ibadan Grammar School; her undergraduate days at the University of Ibadan (UI); through her adult life as a young woman and loving wife to Babatunde Adelusi, the first medical from Ifaki-Ekiti, her new life in England when she moved with her husband, her post-graduate days at the Georgia State University and through her PhD programme at the University of Ibadan or her eventual relocation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to stay with her hubby.

On the home front, Oluremi remarkably mastered the three core ingredients of a successful marriage: she brought excitement into her marital life as her heart burst with great emotion and enthusiasm about making her family an exemplar of an ideal Christian home. She was totally submissive and profoundly loving of her spouse and children, being considerate of her husband and was selfless in the true sense of the word. She imbibed the spirit of togetherness which thrived on unity and oneness and, in so doing, the couple found their personal needs and aspirations fully met.

As a wife, she was a replica of the Ruth personality, the husband-loving virtuous woman in the Bible. She exhibited an uncommon ‘if I die I die’ attitude towards supporting her spouse and her family, by treating her husband like a king and supporting him to attain the zenith of his medical career. She had to, on several occasions, sacrificially abandon her blossoming career and relocate overseas in order to be with her spouse in the UK and also gave up her exalted post as sub-dean at the University of Ibadan’s Faculty of Education to move with a resolute determination to join her husband in Saudi Arabia, a country that was at that time not yet a very open society, especially in the area of gender. Such was the level of her great commitment and devotion to her husband and family.

Almost all of us at one point or the other have had to deal with some form of challenges or misfortunes which the vagaries of this fleeting and predatory life bring our way. Oluremi and Babatunde had their own share of the travails and twists of fate. She and her spouse were evidently buffeted by the stormy tempest of life at one point or the other of their marital life. One of such trying moments was the point in time when the heart-rending diagnosis of her life-threatening heart condition was made which took the family through the most gruelling period and which, eventually, ended her life. The other very notable one was the tragic loss of Adedapo Adeyinka, the Star of the home; an unforgettable tragedy that dealt a terrible blow on the family, especially Babatunde the widower who, upon Oluremi’s passing, had to adapt and play herculean dual roles of being father and mother to their four children without any noticeable inadequacy.

In view of the very endearing and impactful life of Oluremi, there is no gainsaying that her demise at what was considered ‘unripe’ age, created an obviously huge void which would forever be hard to fill, especially in the life of Babatunde her medical doctor husband, the children and the extended family and it will remain so for a long time to come.

The consolation for all her loved ones and her admirers is that her life-long ideals, her proud legacy and imprints on the sands of time, her guiding philosophy which she adequately lived by in all her life pursuits and works, her noble values which she beautifully painted in glowing colours on the canvass of time and her defining essence which she deeply engraved on our heart as a queen of hearts that she was, will forever remain indelible.  

Going by the outpouring of tributes and encomium that came from the people on the outstanding life of Oluremi and the factual accounts which are well-captured in this work by the author, it is indisputable that her lovely family, immediate and extended, are very lucky and privileged to have had her in their lives. Babatunde Adelusi her loving husband, Adedapo Adeyinka, Adedolapo Aderonke, Ademola Adedotun, Adetokunbo Adewale and Ifaki-Ekiti community will no doubt continue to feel good for a proud wife, mother, daughter and benefactor that she was to them and the very many members of the Nigerian society whom she impacted.

The whole essence of the great life of Oluremi has been well-institutionalized through the very thoughtful initiative of the Remilekun Foundation which the family launched at her first year remembrance anniversary. The endowment by the Foundation, of two Remilekun Prizes at the University of Ibadan which has since been annually awarded to the best overall student in the final degree examination in the faculty of  Education and the best female student in the department of language and communication arts, as well as the endowment of two scholarships for proven indigent students of Ifaki extraction in the Methodist  Girls High Scholl, Ifaki- Ekiti and an endowment for the care of the elderly, are a representation of her deep love and passion for education, human capital development and benevolent heart towards the needy in the society.

The Foundation, which is established as a memorial by her family and administered by a Board of Trustees made up of eminent personalities who occupy special places in the life of the Adelusis, is a commendable initiative that seeks to keep her memory alive and to keep her life-long cherished ideals institutionalised and sustained. The foundation and its activities have indeed earned Oluremi an enviable immortality even in death. One only hopes and prays that we can all pattern our lives after the cherished legacy of this great woman of substance. The memory of her great soul will even be better celebrated, preserved, and immortalized through greater individual and collective commitment of all of us.

To round it up, I wish to draw attention to something not revealed, and which could not have been captured in the book nevertheless, is a peculiar characteristic. Quite often, from the calm nobility of her face would come a quizzical mien with an unusual combination of shyness and a depth of passion with dramatic undertones of humane emotions. In spite of being a woman of few words, she would with shrewd wisdom shed light on the human comedy and proceed to liven up the atmosphere with witty jokes and captivating idealism. Casually prophetic, frank and humble, she saw life and living from the prism of a humanist and blunt creation of God!

For the huge impact Oluremi made in the lives of very many and on our society in general as a teacher, wife, mother and teacher, however, I consider this book on her as a great bequest to this generation and the ones coming. It is highly enriching and an inspirational compendium good for this critical juncture of our national life and I proudly commend it as a collector’s item. The book is an invaluable life-guide to young girls of this generation calling to them to aspire for great life attainments; to young couples and those who are already established in marriage and the general public in general for a respectable, fulfilling, secure and well-lived life. It is a must have on the library shelve of everyone who covets a life of impact such as Oluremi’s.

With a high sense of honour, therefore, I feel proud to be considered to do a review of this special book in the evergreen memory of a special woman, the esteemed Iyabode Oluremi Adelusi for the great life that she lived and for being a woman of substance who will continue to be celebrated.

• Professor Tunde Adeniran is a former Nigerian Minister of Education & Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Germany.