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