The First Community Bank in Lagos Island

 THE FIRST COMMUNITY BANK IN LAGOS ISLAND 

By, Seye Adetunmbi 

This article was first published under the title of 3i Community Bank: A Salute to Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji on 16/6/13 and it was published in The Nation newspaper.

My second major assignment in the early days as a Corporate Finance Manager and a Stockbroker was to float one of the earliest Community Banks in Nigeria.

IBB had just announced the community bank scheme in 1990 and Silver Financial Services, a dealing member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange was on the 7th Floor of LSDPC House in the center of commercial activities in Lagos Island. The vision came to High Chief Luyi Rotimi, Chairman/CEO of Silver Financial Services that we should promote a Community Bank for Lagos Island. Our location and target catchment area informed the 3i Community Bank, a name which was given the company. 3i evolved from the first 3 alphabets of Idumota, Idumagbo and Isale-Eko. With all humility, I pursued the project in my usual style of seeing through anything honorable not knowing I was going to eventually marry from Ashogbon Chieftaincy family of Isale-Eko.

    Community Development Association is a major requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria for every promoter of a Community Bank. Thus, in the course of seeing the project through, it was imperative to carry along some indigenes. Consequently, I met one Alhaji Giwa in the heart of Idumota. Yet, to make a considerable progress we needed more natives of note who can take ownership by way of equity participation and subscribe to the share capital. I mentioned the challenge in the presence of my friend, Abi Adigun who was the Deputy Treasurer of Mobil PLC (now ExxonMobil) when they were still in the Bookshop House on Broad Street, Lagos. Abi then said: "Caucus (my nick name); my senior colleague, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), his mother was the Iyaloja of Lagos"! "With her on your side, take your project as done". Abi who later succeeded BAT as the Treasurer of Mobil, said.

    Meanwhile, most of the time I visited Abi in the office, I saw BAT. Of course, Abi mentioned it to his boss who readily supported the project. Egbon BAT arranged for me to meet Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji and Mama naturally became part of the project. Thereafter, raising the N250,000 minimum capital required then to obtain the community banking license became a walk-over. Alhaja Mogaji became the founding Chairman of the board and a daughter of mama, Abiodun that was nominated by their group served on the board too.

    What first struck me about Mama Abibatu was her sense of duty at old age in her 70s then. She came to our LSDPC building a few times that we needed to consolidate as a board on the establishment plans of the 3i Community Bank. I was particularly grateful to her because she made my job easy.

    Most of the things that would have constituted a stumbling block for us to see the project through were simply levelled with Alhaja behind the project. It was amazing! Prince Demola Adeniji Adele was the Lagos Island City Hall Chairman then, he finally got us a take-off point in Odo Alagbafo area of Lagos Island.

Seye Adetunmbi at his desk as Deputy Manager Corporate Finance in 1990 on the 7th floor of LSDPC House, Lagos

The formal commissioning was well celebrated to the glory of God as the first Community Bank in Lagos. The success of it eventually led me to meeting Prince Adeyanju Olateru-Olagbegi onetime Chairman of Owena Bank PLC and Sir Rufus Giwa, the CEO of Lever Brothers PLC who both sought my assistance as a consultant in the floating of Owo and Oke-Agbe Community Banks respectively, in 1991. I was glad to help out on the Owo and Oke-Agbe projects in gratis.

    I must also mention a special bond between Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji and BAT during my brief encounter with the highly respected old woman. She would tell you that Bola has advised her on the matter you brought before her. This I found very interesting. I'm always fascinated when I see hard working elderly people with little or no formal education, yet  they stand out in a typical Nigerian setting. I'm not surprised that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu achieved so much against all odds, when I remember that he is a product of an amazon, a distinguished grass root woman of substance and perhaps one of the greatest women who made their marks in the affairs of Lagos after the unequaled Madam Tinubu of Lagos that the Tinubu Square was named after.

    It was first published in The Nation newspaper in 2013 http://thenationonlineng.net/alhaja-abibatu-mogaji-in-a-class-of-her-own/

THE FIRST BISHOP OF EKITI ANGLICAN DIOCESE: THE RIGHT REVEREND MICHAEL ADENIYI OSANYIN 

By, Seye Adetunmbi

One of my very fond memories as a little innocent child was the image of the first Ekiti Anglican Bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Adeniyi Osanyin. As a child of a remarkably devoted prelate in the Anglican Communion, I was privileged to catch the glimpses of the senior priests at close quarters and looked at them with utmost reverence. Definitely, Bishop M. A. Osanyin, was the number one in this category because he was the first bishop I saw in person in the royal purple episcopal robe. He was born on February 9th 1905 to Christian parents and was a native of Ijebu-Jesa in Osun-State of Nigeria. Until 1966 when Ekiti Anglican Diocese was created, most of us in the Anglican Church in Ekiti when the whole district was an Archdeaconry under Ondo Diocese were only used to the black and white cassocks of the priests and occasionally the robe of an archdeacon. Except for the like of my father who was a synod delegate in the old Ekiti Archdeaconry to the old Ondo Diocese and among others who attended church service and functions in the cities outside Ekiti, had encountered with the lord bishops. 

The Right Reverend M. A. Osanyin (1905-1970)

No doubt, The Right Reverend Osanyin was a very unique bishop in the Anglican Communion, his emergence and subsequent consecration as the first bishop of Ekiti Diocese attested to the fact that he was divinely chosen. There was something special about Bishop Osanyin, he was outstandingly ordained to be a bishop considering the aura around him which made so many people deferred to him and saw him as a true man of God. He was also complemented by a beautiful wife, Mama Lydia Bolaji Osanyin. I have always wanted to write about him as the first bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese in the manner I have written about people I admired. Consequently, I have been gathering materials waiting for the opportune time to publish my tribute. What made me to finally do this article was in response to a phone call I received sometime ago from an Ekiti Anglican priest who saw one of the vintage pictures in which the Lord Bishop featured in my father's biography, "The Apostle of Harmony" and the young priest requested for more information on Baba Osanyin. It was then I contacted one of his grandchildren, my friend Dr Bankole Osuntokun of my desire to write about his grandfather and later his older sister, Mrs Bisola Osuntokun-Lewis with whom I am acquainted, to obtain more facts on the exemplary lord bishop. I needed additional information to what I have because my father worked closely with him when the bishop was the Archdeacon of Ekiti Archdeaconry and later, as the first bishop of Ekiti Diocese. His granddaughter, Mrs Bisola Osuntokun-Lewis wrote a beautiful piece which is quoted thus:

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He was one of the kindest men I've ever met till date! The late Bishop M.A. Osanyin was humility and gentility personified. He carried with him the aura of a man of God, surrounded by the mystery of the Holy Spirit everywhere he went.

    Born into a christian family, his father was a man of the cloth and he had four brothers, he was number two. Very early on he made up to follow in his father's footsteps and though he was a trained teacher, he took delight in following his father on his missionary trips and from there, they grew a bond that only death would break.

    He married the love of his life, Mrs Lydia Bolaji Osanyin, nee Bedu, who because of her stand out beauty was nicknamed "London Beauty" to match her initials, L.B. Osanyin. Together they formed a formidable pair, where Papa was gentle, Mama was firm as a no-nonsense dutiful wife and mother, who proved to be a blessing to the building of the Church of Christ. His career took them to Kabba, Kano, Lagos and Ado-Ekiti, culminating in being consecrated as the first Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese.

    They were blessed with five children, Mabel, Bayo, who died in the Lalupon train disaster, Tunji, Ebun and Remi, all of blessed memories except for Aunty Ebun, who is strong, healthy and lives in Ibadan.

    He became the first Bishop of Ekiti Diocese in those days and a lot of people kicked against his appointment sighting the fact that he was from Ijebu-Jesha, not Ekiti and besides, who ever heard of a Bishop Osanyin! His surname was a mythical scary character in Yoruba folklore which was quite intriguing with its high pitch voice! Nothing was too insignificant in the war against his being a Bishop. However, God had other plans. They had almost given up, when during their habitual afternoon naps, which they never missed if they could avoid it, Mrs. L. B. Osanyin suddenly woke up to see the rays of the evening Sun had formed the figure of a Bishop fully robed on her bedroom door. She calmly got up, took a chalk from her dressing table and traced out the eerie shape on her door, she intuitively felt no one would believe if she didn't! She went on to wash the chalk off her hands, and purple water, the colour of a Bishop's robe trickled out of the water faucet. Calmly, she went to wake up her husband who was asleep in the adjoining room, showed him her tracings and told him about the purple water. There and then they both knew that God himself had ordained him, they prayed giving thanks to God and in a matter of weeks, he was announced as the Bishop elect. The tracing of the Bishop on the door remained there for years till M.A. Osanyin's transition and they had to move from the Bishop's court.

    Mama never fully recovered from Papa's demise as they had a near perfect marriage but being the amazon she was, she threw herself into the Girls' Brigade Association of Nigeria, eventually becoming the Head of the Brigade in Nigeria. She became a columnist for the then thriving Sketch Newspapers. 

    The Lord bishop was dedicated to building a formidable diocese in Ekiti for the Anglican Communion that Christ himself would be proud of and he worked tirelessly towards this goal till he breathed his last breath. He travelled the length and breath of Ekiti Diocese which was considerably larger than just Ekiti towns and villages, and many a time he came back home wearied but satisfied.

    A kind, indulgent and gentle grandfather he was. I remember him gently chiding Mama not to scold us whenever we went to the Bishop's Court while we played rough games or didn't finish our food. He was a man of peace and wanted everyone around him to be happy. He led a modest life but ate very well. Meals at the court were sumptuous and elaborate and he loved a full English breakfast, kippers, bacon, cheese on toast, poached eggs...

    I recollect vividly the last time I saw him, I was a student in Christ's School and I was happily startled one evening when he dropped by to see me, bringing along with him amongst other things a freshly baked french baguette bread. He apologised profusely for overlooking getting me cheese or butter to eat it with but I really couldn't be bothered about that as I was enjoying the star like status his visit had conferred temporarily on me, as students gaped in awe at the tall outstanding figure, clad in his bishop regalia, complete with his dazzling ring and ever present aura of serenity. 

    I waited in vain for my cheese but instead got the news of his death a few weeks later at the school assembly hall, of all places! Chief Ogunlade called an emergency meeting of all students to announce his passing away as he was also Chairman of the governing council of the school. As I screamed in agony and surprise at the unpleasant news, Ogunlade bowed his head as tears cascaded down his face, while some senior prefects hurried me out sympathetically out of the hall. He later apologised to me that the suddenness of his death blinded him to the fact that I was still in school and unaware, he made arrangements for me to go home. I met a sorrow-filled house, everyone hovered around Mama with tears running down their faces. He had suffered from a stroke and slipped into coma, though an ambulance was hurriedly arranged to take him to the University Teaching Hospital, he died at Osogbo and that was the end of the rarest of men! God's assignment for him had been carried out dutifully, lovingly and he had made his way back home.

Rest on Papa Ado!

Unquote

Rt Rev & Mrs M.A. Osanyin during a theological visit to UK

Bishop Osanyin, his wife and children

Bishop Osanyin, his wife, first born (Mrs Mabel Osuntokun) and grandchildren

No doubt, the transition of Bishop Osanyin in 1970 hit Ekiti diocese members. Of course, my parents loved the bishop. My father along with other prominent laity worked with him assiduously for the creation of Ekiti Anglican Diocese in 1966. I was 4 years old when he became the bishop of Ekiti Diocese in 1966. My only memory of him could only be in the late 1960s/1970 just before his transition. I remember my mother attended the funeral with my older sister at the Emmanuel Cathedral Church, Ado-Ekiti and it was reported that Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo was there in attendance as the Governor of the old Western Region.

Sitting L-R: Venerable Alegbeleye, Venerable Aderemi, Provost Famewo, Lawyer Folayan, Caucasian couple (guests), Bishop Osanyin, Venerable Daodu, Venerable Ogunlade and Venerable Dada

Standing L-R: included Chie Ajayi, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi, Chief Ajibade, Venerable Bello, Venerable Babalola etc.

Squatting on the floor was Venerable Dr Dapo Ajayi

HRM Oba Anirare Aladesanmi (Ewi Ado), Bishop Osanyin, the Cathedral priest and clergy's wives

The first chaplain of the first bishop of Ekiti Diocese was Venerable Archdeacon Mathew Babafemi Awe and Afolabi is the name of the driver of his official "Holden" iconic car. No doubt, Bishop Osanyin made episcopacy beautiful, impactful and impressive. The combination of the bishop and his cute and resourceful wife was unparalleled. May the gentle souls of Baba and Mama Osanyin rest in peace, amen.

Seye Adetunmbi with the first born of Bishop Osanyin, Mrs Mabel Osuntokun in 2010

Seye Adetunmbi flanked by some of the grandchildren of Bishop Osanyin, the children of Mama Mabel Osuntokun - Mrs Bisola Osuntokun-Lewis, Mr Kunle Osuntokun

The picture of the Bishop's robe as traced by Mrs L.B. Osanyin

Paradigm Shift

AUDACITY OF PARADIGM SHIFT: EKITI 2022

By, Seye Adetunmbi

Adapted from the introduction to the handbook of Atokeibeirosi Strategy Group

Atokeibeirosi is a rich Ekiti word and an epithet with a very deep meaning. In Ekiti dialect, the word is pronounced as r m d r d r m m "a to oke ibe i ro si". It is a philosophy and a school of thought on competence and readiness for an important assignment or a defined task. It is also a kind of measured testimonial on ability, excellence, appropriateness and preparedness for a specific project or job.The “oke” in the word stands for a top position, the pinnacle of an institution or the foreman for a project  that requires some set skills. In the context of Ekiti governorship and the 2022 election, the oke also stands for “Oke-Bareke” the name given to the seat of government by the colonial District Officer (DO) in the old Ekiti District under Ondo Province and the state governor’s office retains the address till date. In essence, the word atokeibeirosi then means the person capable of standing there, holding fort or being in the designated position to take charge of the responsibilities involved. The philosophical school of thought can then be interpreted to mean an endorsement and statement of reassurance of someone being “up-to-the-task” before him or her.

    In a challenging country like Nigeria, with a troubled economy in which Ekiti is listed among the insolvent states, it will require a radical intervention to bid farewell to status quo and impoverishment of the masses. To bid poverty farewell would need a paradigm shift to a new progressive order in the way we conduct our affairs. To turn things around in education sector will require a strategic inclusion of all ranks of stakeholders. To restore hope demands for a purpose driven leadership that will be fair to all, a credible government under a person of integrity to administer the affairs of the state towards making things to look up more, in Ekiti.

    It doesn’t require any rocket science to turn things around but persistence to change things for better for the benefit of the majority. This will require the political will to block leakages in the system, readiness to make sacrifices starting with all ranks of government officials, an undistracted political leadership, credible government and focused administration that will monitor implementation of generally agreed reforms religiously. Actualising this niche, starts with choosing right, the person who governs us. Whoever doesn’t have the self-discipline, orientation of having consideration for others, inclination to excellence and disposition to honourable ways may not likely deliver on the targeted paradigm shift. Even if the warped system makes it a “winner takes all”, it is the beneficiaries of the unfair system that will come together and say that they will apply the pecks of political office for the benefit of the majority.

    What we need is leadership by example, and not by precept. The political leaders can’t be living in obscene affluence which has made them to be distant from their masters (the people) and expect the masses to observe austerity measure endlessly. Ko ni kan d’ibo ko, ke a mu itan elila wa gari, ke wi ki i ra ko di bo a j’asan! E yo work! It is not sustainable for the political class to continue the status quo of impoverishing the masses through their insensitivity, excesses and greed. Especially when there is enough to go round to make life more abundant for all; it is the greed of the very few members of the political class that we cannot meet, tolerate and sustain.

    Just as it is done in the sane climes where the citizens write their constitution and not the one forced on them by a military decree or a junta, it is the prerogative of the people to decide how they want to be governed. Ekiti as a state and people should be able to look at their peculiarities and agree on a common manifesto that will best suit them and serve the larger interest of the majority. This is the task before the responsible elitist class in Ekiti if we ever want to make considerable progress as a state. We can’t continue on the path of status quo and expect to achieve the success recorded by societies that have made deliberate effort to jettison wasteful tendencies and relegate corruption to the background.

    The Atokeibeirosi electioneering campaign publication is meant to formally present to Ekiti people the possibility of a new progressive governance order, provided the people can give their mandate to a new governor with fresh and tested perspectives to a fruitful purpose driven leadership. The race for the governorship of Ekiti-State would be futile if it cannot infuse our people with optimism in our future, imbue confidence in our present and even have some measure of pride in the inadequacies of our past. It is doable if we allow the right people to take charge of our affairs and we are sincere with ourselves to do things right. What I humbly present in the modest corpus is therefore, an abridged description of the manifestos, the Paradigm-Shift-Team (PST) hopes to pursue diligently, with the support of well meaning Ekiti people who are in the majority, when we are given the mandate. It also highlights the humble profile of an aspirant who has paid his dues in Ekiti over the years and still available to do more, God willing.

    It is our expectation that proper implementation of the programmes will restore hope to our people. I humbly seek the mandate of Ekiti people and God being my helper, we can replace skepticism with assurance, change letdown to sanguinity, change apathy to collective involvement of the masses in the affairs of our beloved Ekiti-State. Together, we banish the thought that our politicians can never get it right. Remember that the likes of Baba Michael Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Lateef Kayode Jakande did exceptionally well in their time, we can do it again, and even better, in line with the millennium age.

    We are going to focus on things we have some control over within the confines of Nigeria’s constitution. Consequently, as a programme of action, the Paradigm Shift Agenda (PSA) has five cardinal goals, its many dimensions notwithstanding:

i. Economic restructuring and financial re-engineering through accountability

ii. Restoration of confidence in the public service through an efficient civil service system

iii. Sustainable democratic model that will eliminate dominance of charlatans in Ekiti politics

iv. Security and welfare scheme that will be fair to all.

v. Even spread of government infrastructures and development

    The target in the economic sphere is to pursue with vigour on how to take Ekiti out of those states categorised as insolvent. PST will build on the foundations of the past administrations without being enslaved by it albeit. We shall consciously seek to strengthen our economic environment towards boosting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), optimally. The ultimate goal is to make Ekiti an investors’ destination by making the state that ranks high in security architecture which makes life and property safe. The welfare of the residents will be more paramount in the new progressive order in Ekiti-State. Also schisms that threaten harmony among political ranks will be redressed.

    Ekiti State is overdue for a functional long-term development plan, such that every community knows what awaits them or things that are in stock for them. Once the current administration finalizes the 30-Year Development Plan, every successive administration would be required to key-into the development plan irrespective of the ruling party in government. Our traditional rulers and institutions would be accorded due place in the scheme of things and strategically engaged in relevant areas for the benefit of the state. In as much as Ekiti leaders have a clearly defined purpose and every community buys into it and all the stakeholders take ownership of the development plan and the new order, then the strife often associated with succession in the political class will be minimized. When the bar of lasting good government has been raised and there is provision of a level playing field for more responsible people to participate at all tiers of government, the charlatans will be effectively contained. This is the key for things to look up in Ekiti and remove despondency and disillusionment from the expression on the faces of Ekiti indigenes who have been deprived over the years.

    A period for a call to duty, like now was anticipated when with all humility, the inspiration came for me to convene Ekitipanupo Forum on March 6th 2005. The platform is a microcosm of Ekiti-State, dominated by the best of brains of Ekiti people at home and abroad from which every government can tap from the intellectual resource of indigenes scattered all over the world. I am running for the office of Governor of Ekiti-State because I wish to be in position to stand up in future and say to my kinsmen that I humbly responded to the call to duty. I have respectfully come forward so that we can together renew collective optimism in the dream project of Ekiti-State that will be prosperous for the benefit of all and to the delight of all ranks of well-meaning stakeholders. A juse o, amin.

E. A. Babalola

CHIEF ELIJAH ARE BABALOLA (Circa 1897-1984)

By, Seye Adetunmbi

The history of Ekiti cannot be complete without a mention of some distinguished indigenes who played remarkable front-line roles and made landmark impacts in the colonial and post-independence days. One of the few exemplars in this category was Chief Elijah Falana Sanusi Babalola who was popularly known as Elijah Are Babalola. Chief E. A. Babalola recorded a number of firsts among his kinsmen in Ekiti in the field of education, politics and in the old Western Region government. He was the first Ekiti graduate to serve as the principal in acting capacity, of Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti after the exit of Archdeacon Dallimore in 1947. At the close of polls on the 24th of September 1951, the Action Group won 38 of the 72 seats in contention in the Regional Assembly and Chief E. A. Babalola, Rev Canon Ade Ajayi and Chief J.O. Osuntokun were the four elected parliamentarians from Ekiti Division.

Chief Babalola was born in Oye-Ekiti presumably in 1900. The headmaster of All Saints’ School at Oshogbo chose that date for him. He was actually born, circa 1897. According to the story his mother told him about the events that took place when he was born, his birth took place around November to December 1897. His father was an Ifa worshipper and a member of many traditional cults into which he inducted his young son that he gave the name Falana. He was focused and determined man from his early days. He was determined to go to school and when there was no primary school in Ekiti in the early 20th century, he walked to Oshogbo where he attended one. He was a house-boy to people so that he can go to school. He obtained Grade II Teaching Certificate from St Andrew’s College in 1926 and graduated from Fourah Bay College in 1944, while the B. A. Arts of Durham University was awarded in 1946. He first worked at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School later at St Andrew’s College before coming to Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti where he was the Acting High Master, June - December 1947. He taught in the senior classes throughout his stay in the school and ensured that the Ekiti District Church Council retained the proprietorship of the school when Dallimore left. He was also the principal of Ibadan Boys High School while he served in the cabinet of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the old western region.

In front of the Parliament Building of the old Western Region, Ibadan in 1956 with Queen Elizabeth II sitting in the middle. Standing first from the left was Chief E. A Babalola

He played prominent roles in the early activities of the Ekiti progressive unions along with other fellow elitist colleagues of their generation. In his book, titled: "My Life Adventures", his account of how Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti was established is quoted thus:

Quote

As far back as 1922, I used to write to the D. O. and the residents about Ekiti affairs. The District Officials usually considered me an agitator because I was the only critic in the whole Division. The obas and chiefs could not understand me then, because the British Officials were then considered as demigods. I always came from my station to attend their meetings. I usually thwarted their subtle methods of getting the people to accept all they wanted. They played on the credulity of the simple people. This caused me to be bitter against them.

    It happened in 1933, that Canon J. Ade Ajayi a native of Ado-Ewi, suggested founding the Ekiti Progressive Union. I became a foundation member. I took wholeheartedly to the Union. I founded branches at Ondo, Ilesha, Oshogbo, Offa, Ilorin, Ibadan, Ijebu ode and also joined the branch at Lagos. This Union became the vanguard of Ekiti life politically, socially and educationally.

    I was made the secretary of my branch. That gave me the opportunity to write to the other branches, to suggest educational and social schemes for the conference of Ekiti Obas (pelupelu as it was then called). I was the ambassador of the union. I always paid my own travelling expenses. Scholarships were recommended, a secondary School was proposed, a Hospital was a need, motor roads to connect the towns and villages of Ekiti were recommended. The Union and its branches, about fifteen then started to raise funds at my suggestion. Prominent among the Ekiti pioneers were Messrs J. B. Daramola of Aiyede, R.O. Adedayo of Usi, E.O. Adebayo of Usi, Mr Omotade now Chief Obanla of Ijero, Mr. D. Olagbaiye of Igbara Oke, Mr Adesina of Efon and some others. Later Messrs. M. D. Durotoye, J.A. Aiyegbusi, S. K. Familoni and Fakiye of Ifaki came to join the aforementioned gentlemen in the struggle for the progress of Ekiti land.

    Since I discovered that the British was not prepared to build a Grammar School for us in Ekiti, it occurred to me that the sons and daughters of Ekiti land particularly those abroad, should found one for ourselves. I drew up a scheme for the grammar school in 1937 and sent a copy to the Lagos branch of Ekiti Progressive Union. With another copy of the scheme in my hand, I left Ijebu ode on December 24th, 1937 for Ilesha and explained the scheme to the Ilesha Branch and on December 29th, I went to Ilorin to explain to the Branch there too. For the same purpose I visited Oshogbo on 31/12/1937 and Ibadan on 31/1/38. I returned to Ijebu ode on 5/1/38 and held meeting of the E.P.U. branch and reported on my educational trip.

    On 7/1/38 I proceeded to Lagos where I first discussed the scheme with some individuals before I finally met the Lagos branch and explained and discussed the need for a Grammar school for Ekiti land. All the branches agreed to work for the success of the scheme. While the above branches and some others were working towards the realisation of the scheme, my absence from Nigeria from 1940-44 retarded progress. It was not until 1945 that the enthusiasm was rekindled. The Ekiti National Association, a sort of fund collecting organisation set up by the EPU Lagos branch, became very successful in its activities in Lagos among the Ekiti-Lagos communities. Oye and Ido districts were the most active.

    By 1948, The EPU and E.N.A. had collected some funds. Fortunately, at this time I was told that one Mr G.K.Dada passed the London matriculation. I did not know the fellow, but as soon as I heard he was Ekiti man, I quickly asked him to come for an interview. I saw him and recommended him for a scholarship. I started the fund with (ten guineas) 10/-, The contributions came in slowly. I therefore decided to get a permit from Government for a public collection of Fund so that we could collect money from the public in the Western Region. This was done. I had to appoint a collecting agent at £60 per annum in the name of the Union. He worked for about six months but could not collect as much as would pay for his salary for each month. This method had to be abandoned. But the Union resolved that each branch should use the licence to collect money in its own area. That was done fairly well. As a result of these collections Mr G. K. Dada was able to go to Fourah Bay College. When he had passed his intermediate Arts Examination there, he returned and went to Ibadan University College. He finished his course but could not pass his final examination as expected.

 Baba and family with his last wife, Mrs Emily Babalola and some of his children

It had been hoped that Mr Dada would head the new institution. To save time, I recommended to be Union that Mr Adepoju Akomolafe who had passed his B.A London be made the Principal of the proposed College. The Union accepted my suggestion and Mr Akomolafe was appointed the Principal of the proposed College, which was named "Ekiti Parapo College". The appointment of Mr Akomolafe as Principal created enmity for me among Ekiti graduates, because they said the post was not formally advertised, and I did it because Akomolafe was my favourite. Nonetheless, Mr. Akomolafe was appointed the Principal designate. The Ekiti Progressive Union had proposed as far back as 1948, to build the college at Iddo-Faboro. This caused a great agitation. Finally in 1953, a vote was taken at Ara by the Ekiti Council. Ijero scored ten, Ara twenty three and Iddo eighty one votes respectively. The school was therefore built at Iddo. I could easily influence the approval of the Principal and the site and plan of the college, because I was then the Minister of Public Works, Western Region, and the Director of Education, Mr F. K Butler, was my personal friend. The buildings were sufficient in number in 1954 and it was formally opened by the honourable S.O. Awokoya, the Minister of Education. It was a Red Letter Day in my life in particular and of Ekiti people in general. Thus my life's work and dreams were realised. My Union provided Ekiti sons and daughters with a secondary school.

Unquote

The first three males of Baba's children - Messrs Sunday, Yemi and Akin

He was an unapologetic Ekiti-centric man of integrity. His principled disposition pitched him against some of his kinsmen due to his not giving-in to looking at the bigger pictures. He had his own share of being a victim of intrigues and conspiracies. One was when he lost second parliamentary election to one of his beneficiaries. Chief Obafemi Awolowo took special note of him and was apparently impressed that he didn't leave AG. He was taken up in some quarters on the claim that he said Ekiti roads were naturally tarred because he was working under a very tight budget as the minister of works. Yet, most of the early tarred roads in Ekiti were constructed during his tenure in office. He was a man of strong character who tried to be rational in his dispositions. Chief Babalola was later appointed Chairman of Finance Corporation in the early 1960s.

Baba and Great Awo

When the bureaucrats were preferring foreign contractors over the indigenous hardworking ones, he got the likes of Oni & Sons and Olugbade constructions companies to handle some projects in the western region. He took the bureaucrats to some of the sites and they okayed the construction done without knowing that it was done by the indigenous contractors they were discriminating against. When the opportunity arose for the native contractors to bid for jobs, he told them that the buildings they considered well done were built by the local contractors. The pro-foreign contractor government officials had no choice than to give the indigenous ones a chance. It was during his tenure in office that western region secretariat was built..

    Chief Elijah Are Babalola, the Akowajo and Obalasun of Oye Ekiti passed on in 1984.

J.O.B. Omotosho

REMEMBERING COMRADE J.O.B. OMOTOSHO 1918-1967

Seye Adetunmbi, 21/5/21

Hardly can you find a community, state or nation that had not lost patriotic and prominent sons in their prime. Ekiti district in western part of Nigeria has had her own share of this on a number of occasions in contemporary history. Comrade James Olajuyigbe Bolarinde Omotosho was among the distinguished ones in this category. As a teenager, I heard people talked about the Ipoti-Ekiti man, a legal luminary that was exemplary in his integrated dispositions and was a huge asset to his community, nation and profession. I was so fascinated by his impressive profile and brief eventful life that I said to myself that one day I will write about him and celebrate his chequered and impactful 48 years on earth. My findings revealed that he was dedicated to humanity cause. His devotion was outstandingly purposeful and resourceful which appealed to me because of my personal inclinations. The lifetime of Comrade Omotosho is worthy of study for posterity and benefit of those who wish to make the difference in their community, profession and nation. I wanted to do this write-up when his wife, Mrs Lydia Olaitan Omotosho passed-on in January 2021 but decided to use the opportunity of his 103rd posthumous birthday anniversary on 21/5/21 to publish this tribute after during some basic research on the inimitable personality

       Comrade J.O.B. Omotosho was born to christian parents, Pa Samuel Akande Omotosho and Madam Rebecca Omotosho on May 21st 1918 in Makurdi, Benue-State. His parents were of Ipoti-Ekiti origin, member of Pakuta family compound and he was the first born. His siblings were Madam Beatrice Adeoti Ayeni‐Akinola, Madam Alice Bamidele Saola, Madam Margaret Wuraola Omotosho, Mr Ayotunde Omotosho,  Mrs. Abike Ajibola, Mrs. Grace Ebunola Ige,  Mrs. Adunola Olagunju and Chief Mrs. Rachael Modupe Familade.

        He had primary education in Port Harcourt and passed Standard Six Examination to obtain the First Leaving Certificate in 1935. He started as a pupil teacher in Aba  where he worked from 1936 to 1939 and came back to Port Harcourt in 1941 after passing his Cambridge examination to work with her majesty custom and excise. He was brilliant and made conscious efforts to further his education. His academic qualifications and attainments included LLB. University College, London, (1945-1948), Diploma in International Affairs from the London Institute of World Affairs, University College, London (1948-1950) B. Sc. Economics, Regent Street Polytechnic (1951-1953) and Diploma in French and German from the Language Tuition Centre, London (1954).

Consequent to training as a legal practitioner in the United Kingdom and having been admitted by the Council of Legal Education, he was called to the British Bar as Barrister and Solicitor in Lincoln Inns. His desire was to deploy his academic laurels for the benefit of his nation and to serve his people. His inclination to progressive activism manifested while in the United Kingdom when he became very active in the affairs and activities of the Pan African Movement, the West African Student Union (WASU) which was established to protect and promote the welfare of West African Students in the United Kingdom and awaken nationalist consciousness in West African countries. Apparently his involvement with WASU exposed him to the ideology of communism which eventually became the basis of his choice of engagement with society as a legal practitioner and a front-liner of grassroots development agenda. He was also associated with the Daily Worker, a periodical publication that was the mouth piece of workers and the proletariat. 

        On his return to Nigeria in 1957, he to took up appointment in the Western Region as the Secretary of the then Western Region Production and Development Board at Ibadan. His capacity and inner zeal for greater exploits could not tolerate the conservative bureaucracy associated with the civil service and had to quit. Comrade Omotosho settled for private legal practice in 1958 as an enrolled barrister and solicitor up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He was based in Ibadan, yet his practice covered most part of the country and beyond. He was committed to using his mastery of the law, procedure and evidence to protect the interest of the ordinary man against the atrocities of the state and privileged individuals. One of his celebrated cases was that of Professor Victor Allen, a British citizen, a sociologist, historian, economist and Professor at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom who was accused of sedition against the Nigerian State in 1964. Despite the seriousness of the charges, as the Defence Counsel. he succeeded in securing a very light sentence of 12 months imprisonment for the accused. It was feat that got the attention of the British House of Commons that commended the efficiency, diligence and brilliance of the legal luminary. ​

        He was a member of the editorial board of the Nigerian Socialist, the first publication that espoused scientific socialism in Nigeria. also served as a legal adviser to many trade unions, the Nigerian Tenants Association and was a member of the Nigerian Academy of Scientific and Technical Workers. His passion was to pursue how best to use the agency of law as shield in the protection of basic human rights and freedoms of citizens and also employ it as sword in the struggle against poverty, ignorance, squalor and disease imposed by unequal and inequitable access to national wealth typified by neo-liberal and capitalist arrangements. 

J.O.B. got married to his beloved wife, Mrs Lydia Olaitan Omotosho, nee Omotade in June 1960 and the matrimony is blessed with successful children. Mrs L.O. Omotoso was born on April 27th and passed-on on January 19th, 2021. The family is a member of Our Saviour Anglican Church, Ipoti-Ekiti and they worshipped St Anne Anglican Church, Molete, Ibadan.

        The nation lost him to road accident on Saturday 20th 1967 at Sotubo Village near Shagamu after an unidentified driver hit his stationary Volvo Saloon Car in which J.O.B. Omotosho was travelling. Quoting an eye witness account: "J.O.B. was coming from Ibadan and heading towards Lagos on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode-Shagamu-Lagos highway. He was going to join other nationalists in resolving the Nigerian crisis and prevent the outbreak of the Biafra/Nigerian civil war. He had earlier been to Ipoti-Ekiti his home town where he was constructing and supervising a collectivist development agenda for his people and had thought that he would return to base after the meeting to complete the project and give his people a lifeline and a quantum leap forward in grassroots development. Comrade Omotosho noticed the recklessness of the approaching reckless driver and instructed his driver to pullover so that he could counsel the careless driver on safe driving. Unfortunately, the he ran into him and that was the end" No doubt his death caused so much pain for his kinsmen. This is evident in the tribute of the community at his burial on Saturday 27th May in 1967 at Ipoti-Ekiti and I quote: "He encouraged all our noble activities for the progress of our town and spent his hard earned money and efforts on us. He was executing communal projects that included: A fish pond, Rest House, Recreation Gardens, Parks, Nursing Homes, Dam, Industrial Estate and a Saw Mill."

    May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace.

Rejigging community values

DILAPIDATION OF ANCIENT WALLS: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

By, Seye Adetunmbi

Being a Presentation as the Guest Speaker at the Symposium Organised by Ifaki Youth Council, scheduled to hold on December 26th, 2020

Protocols

Let me first appreciate you my kinsmen for requesting that I should be your Guest Speaker at the Symposium hosted by Ifaki Youth Council (IPC) during 2020 Christmas. Apparently, IPC is driven by a vision and this is why I deem it a great honor to be associated with your progressive activities.

   I was touched by the theme of the Symposium - FUTURE: TO BUILD OUR DILAPIDATED ANCIENT WALL and in particular for asking me to speak on the causes and solutions.

    Consequently, I put the dilapidated ancient walls in perspective by trying to define it philosophically beyond physical wall, but in relation to our peculiarities as a people, our lasting culture, enduring tradition and timeless values which made Ifaki to be unique and an outstanding community in Ekiti.

    Before highlighting the causes and solutions to the dilapidated ancient walls, let’s first relate the visionary IYC to Nehemiah in the Holy Bible. “When Nehemiah heard that the walls of Jerusalem were still broken down more than a half-century after the completion of the rebuilding of the temple, he “sat down and wept,” fasting and praying before God” (Nehemiah 1:4).

I see Ifaki Youth Council from this perspective because they must have seen the need for Ifaki people as a community to take stock, brainstorm and plan for the future. Implicitly, IYC took the challenge to initiate formulating a plan that will contribute to finding a lasting remedy to the situation in Ifaki. This is commendable and apt on the part of Ifaki youths because the future belongs to them. It is the right thing to do by rising to the occasion because if they don’t do it now, they will face the consequences in future.

    Spiritually speaking and quoting from a commentary on Nehemiah 1:1-7:73 with respect to the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem “Both the sacred and the secular were necessary to fulfil God’s plan to restore the nation of Israel. If the walls were unfinished, the temple was unfinished too. The work was of a single piece. The reason for this is easy to understand. Without a wall, no city in the ancient Near East was safe from bandits, gangs and wild animals, even though the empire might be at peace. The more economically and culturally developed a city was, the greater the value of things in the city, and the greater the need for the wall. The temple, with its rich decorations, would have been particularly at risk. Practically speaking, no wall means no city, and no city means no temple. In essence, the temple and the wall are mutually dependent. The wall is an integral part of the city’s protection, yet so is the temple wherein dwells the Lord”.

    Yes, Ifaki-Ekiti is our Jerusalem. If we put our acts right, consciously review some of the ways we go about our affairs, be sincere with ourselves and deliberately chart a lasting progressive course in unison as the early builders of modern Ifaki community, then we will have a city that we will all be proud of and be at peace with God too.

    Just as Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king (Nehemiah 1:11), who had immediate access to the king as the one who tested and served his beverages, as a trusted advisor and a high-ranking Persian official, Ifaki youths constitute the heartbeat and engine room of Ifaki community. They have the capacity to make things happen and actualize the larger dreams for our Jerusalem with the support of other stakeholders in Ifaki. Our youths have the energy and good vision. Therefore, with the right attitude, they can build on the professional experience of the older generation and position by deploying collective resources to a great advantage as we embark upon the work of rebuilding the ancient walls of our Jerusalem, Ifaki-Ekiti. Once we put our trust in God coupled with sincerity of purpose, the task ahead is surmountable.

    Ifaki is a distinct community that’s why it is located in the centre of Ekiti-State which earned it the title of Abuja Ekiti from me. We are also peculiar as a people 1Peter 2:9. Rev D. O. Ayorinde was among the first set of priests to be ordained before 1930 in Anglican Communion in Ekiti. Rev D. A. Omotunde was the first graduate Methodist priest in Ekiti and Ifaki is the Headquarter of the church in Ekiti. The first African Principal of Wesley College, Ibadan was Chief J.O.O. Ojo while the first Ekiti man to lead the Nigerian Union of Teachers was Chief D.O. Adetunmbi. Ifaki has also produced a governor and a senator, yet God is not done with us. Okorobo festival remains the biggest cultural event that naturally pools the hugest crowd from all over in the history of Ekiti.

CAUSES OF DILAPIDATION

The causes of dilapidation generally include neglect, indifference, lack of planning, self centeredness, double standard, old age without succession plan and good maintenance culture, lack of fear of God, insensitivity etc. Our ancient walls have broken down because we allow our values and cultural heritage that made us unique people to be eroded away. Apart from our location advantage, it was our forefathers who brought greatness to Ifaki community because they were people of excellent character and huge intellect who loved the town with a passion and selflessly too. We must not render our community desolate by our actions and inactions either through internal strife or by allowing foreigners to infiltrate us for selfish sectional gain that devour shining or rising stars among the inhabitants. Isaiah 1:7, 24:6.

SOLUTIONS

To continue to make the difference as a community and rebuild the ancient walls on a lasting note, Ifaki community must not leave things to chances. We must plan deliberately in order not to fail and prepare adequately for the future.

    “Aso ko ba da fun igba na i lo fun igba”. For instance, if Okorobo festival could be repacked, it can graduate to a state carnival that will attract people all over the world without losing its traditional touch.

    Acknowledge and reward every good deed no matter how small. Rejig our corporate motto as a community. This will encourage people to do more for their community and prompt the undecided ones to act positively.

    In essence, Ifaki community will standout to the admiration of all if we are committed to ethics, as basic principles. Integrity must not be compromised while taking responsibility for our actions individually and collectively. Our people must continuously respect laws and regulations. We must respect one another as well as respect individual rights and of course give honor to whom honor is due. Our people must love work and be diligent at it, it is the way to productivity. The culture of saving and investing is imperative, wastage and squandering must be avoided like a plague. In all whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well and it should be done with dispatch. Procrastination is the thief of time.

In ku ajodun o, as’eyi s’eremurin rin o.

Ajuse o l’ase Edumare.

1

Osekita

COMMENDING OSEKITA EDUCATION FOUNDATION INITIATIVE

By, Seye Adetunmbi 25/2/2022

It is a thing of joy when we have people who have done very well for themselves at their base, abroad and yet, they commit their hard-earned resources for the benefit of others in their home town and environs. This why I am particularly delighted to commend my friend, Prophet Folayan Osekita and his beloved wife, a resourceful British trained teacher for their investment on Osekita Academy (OA), situated in Iworoko-Ekiti. The progress they have recorded on the school project is quite impressive and should be given the necessary support through Osekita Education Foundation (OEF) which they have set out to formally inaugurate on the 28th of February, 2022. The main thrust of OA is to contribute to social capital through education by providing low cost up-to-date education to under-privileged children. This is coupled with upskilling village teachers and staff through a strategic continuous training programme. The vision of promoters of Osekita Academy is to provide quality education at the grassroots, develop Osekita Academy as the flagship school and with time replicate the academy in other local villages and farming communities.

    Osekita Academy is the ultimate academy for children from the ages of 2 to18, the flagship of Osekita Education Foundation. It provides education at a very high standard for all children with specific financial support for low income families. They currently provide up to 75% fees bursaries for up to 100 children and the list is growing. The academy has essentially been funded by Osekita family (98%) and a few friends. The reality is that the project is getting too huge to sustain without external assistance of public-spirited net-worth individuals and some level institutional backing. The approach at the centre of learning at OA is to provide education from a very early age for the students. Puzzles, Mathematics, Computing, Science, Technology, Languages and the Arts will form an integral part of the broad and balanced British/Nigerian curriculum that the school set out to operate. More insights on the school are provided through these links https://lnkd.in/djXGBFkz, www.osekitaacademy.com and

https://www.osekitaacademy.com/post/the-journey-from-derelict-building-to-an-international-school-part-2

The aim of OA is to provide transformational, student-centred education for all learners within an inclusive nurturing ethos; Engender a commitment to ‘excellence for all’ through opportunity, scholarship, knowledge and innovation; Employ ‘cutting edge’ learning environments to help learners develop high levels of intrinsic motivation, leading to academic excellence and self-confidence; Develop creativity, numeracy and oracy through a broad and balanced curriculum and developing students as well-rounded individuals who will be able to engage at the highest levels of society. The target of OEF is to provide 75% bursaries for up to 600 children; ensure regular funding to pay workers at least the minimum wage; source funding to complete and fully equip the current school building; facilitate resources to equip a computer/robotics laboratory, Science Laboratory; provide fund to complete a boarding section for OA. OEF has completed 16 learning rooms, upgraded the library and the pre-school environment; and installed a low-cost laboratory. They have initiated the building of the next level of an additional 16 learning rooms and now need to raise funds to put a roof on the school.

    Prophet Folayan Osekita, the man behind this laudable project is an inspiration. He is Grand Patron and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Osekita Academy. The manner he has chosen to dedicate the rest of his life to God’s work and impacting his community positively by stretching his helping hand to the needy and for the good of the society is commendable. Looking back now at our secondary school days, we have cause to give thanks for keeping us safe to witness his current remarkable activities.

Folayan, a native of Iworoko-Ekiti was born in the early 60s to the family of Honourable High Chief Festus Adelusi Olowolafe Osekita and Mrs Aduke Osekita in Ibadan. He attended a variety of primary schools including Ibadan Polytechnic Staff School and Ebenezer Primary School, Ibadan, where he first gained admission to Government College, Ibadan. After his father later read in the newspaper that he was among the top ten students who passed the common entrance examination across the whole of Nigeria. This triggered his movement from Government College Ibadan to King’s College Lagos, an admission which he got on merit. It is on record that he was the first student in the history of Ebenezer Primary School to make it to King’s College. Whilst at King’s College, he recorded some firsts.

    Osei as he was popularly called was the first Commandant of the King’s College Cadet Unit in Form 4 and was a very keen all-rounder sportsman. He played both soccer and hockey for the school and was Panes House Football Captain when he was in Form 5. He was in the hockey team that won the Lagos State Sports Festival in 1979 Gold Medal. Also, he was a very keen and capable squash racket player right from his King’s College days. He spent a year at Christ's School, before gaining admission to University of Ife to study Psychology, where he met his heartthrob, wife. He graduated in 1984 and did his National Youth Service Corp at a secondary school in Ubiaja, a community in the Esan South East Local Government Area in Edo-State.

He got married in the late 1980s and the holy matrimony is blessed with 3 successful young men - two aerospace engineers and a statistician. He started working for the accounting firm of his father, FAO Osekita and co. and later where he moved on to become the first official manager of Osekita Estate where Osekita Academy is located today. He later relocated to the United Kingdom. In addition to his first degree, he bagged a Master of Business Administration, specialising in Organisational learning and reflection and obtained a post graduate certificate in further education. Fola worked in a number of colleges as a lecturer of Business and IT including Kingsway College London and Bromley College. In the community where he resided in England, he became the first Chair of African descent, of Southwark Community Health Council, spending several years working to champion fair treatment of mentally ill patients of African descent. This involved extensive work with the world renowned Maudsley Hospital, which led to recognition as he was presented to Princess Anne, the Queen’s second child.

    He retired to focus on his spiritual calling in the vineyard of Jesus Christ and continues to make use of his deep expertise in leadership, education, learning and change management to inspire many people to succeed in life by having faith and putting their hope and trust in God. He has to his credit, two books: The Flaming Sword which was published in 2010 and the Daily Sword that was published in 2018. He is a man of destiny who has so many testimonies on life, health, well-being and the grace of God in his life. He is sharing his God given blessing by establishing a standard institution, Osekita Academy. Prophet Osekita is a true blessing to his community by providing up to 75% fees bursaries for up to 100 children and still hoping to do more. The least I can do to support a worthy kinsman and friend is to tell his story and share it to the world while praying that the God he serves will reward his generosity and kindheartedness. Join me to celebrate this great man of God on his birthday on February 28th 2022 while looking forward to celebrating milestone-birthday with him in future. Keep up the good work awe, ogbe mi luka; the Grand-Patron and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Osekita Academy. 

High Chief F. A. O. Osekita (1923-2008)

By, Seye Adetunmbi

Every community has reputable indigenes that have done them proud at one time or the other. Such prominent figures might have recorded some firsts in their domain or led a fruitful career in the private or public sector. Iworoko-Ekiti is not an exception in the league of communities that have produced successful children. High Chief Festus Adelusi Olowolafe Osekita fell into the category of the early set of prominent children of Iworoko-Ekiti who recorded several firsts in the community and its environs. He didn’t allow his humble background and challenges of early life peculiar to people in his generation, deter him from pursuing his desired academic attainment which eventually led him to become the first chartered accountant in his native community and its environs.

    On the 13th day of March, 1923, High Chief F.A.O. Osekita was born to the family of Giwa Osekita in Araromi quarters, Iworoko-Ekiti. His mother was Mrs. Rachael Oladele Osekita and at the age of one year and six months, he lost his beloved father. This took toll on the time he started school. Consequently, as a young adult, he graduated from Emmanuel Primary School, Ado-Ekiti in the year 1946 and was awarded the famous Standard Six School Leaving Certificate. He took his first teaching job in 1947. He later obtained the Teacher Grade II Certificate at St. John’s Teachers Training College, Owo in 1952. While he was a Headmaster at Ikare-Akoko, he studied hard to hold the General Certificate of Education through correspondence. This was the period that his path crossed with Aare Afe Babalola, they lived together at some point and studied together to obtain higher education certificate.

    Between January 1954 and 1958, he was a teacher and a House Master at Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti and reputed to be a good teacher of Geography and Mathematics. He got married to his childhood sweetheart, Mrs. Funmilola Aduke Osekita on the 29th August, 1957. God blessed the holy matrimony with fruitful children: Messrs Folorunso Osekita, Gbenga Osekita, Folayan Osekita, Opeyemi Osekita and Ayodele Olukoju. His octogenarian wife was a career teacher, who once worked at Christ Girls' School, Ado-Ekiti. Mama is now a pensioner resident in Iworoko-Ekiti.

High Chief Osekita was man of foresight. In 1958, he left the teaching service and started a career in accounting. He worked for Z. O. Ososanya & Co. and later joined the prestigious accounting firm of Peat Marwick Casslaton Eliot & Co in 1960. There he was sponsored to prepare for his professional examination in Accounting from the defunct college of Art Science and Technology, Ibadan.

In 1966, he joined the civil service of the defunct Western Nigeria Housing Corporation as an Internal Auditor. Having written and passed the final professional examination at South West London College, he was admitted as an Associate member of Chartered and Certified Accountants in England in the year 1971. That same year, he was admitted as an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and became a fellow of the institute in 1982.

At the inception of the creation of additional states by the military administration in 1976, he transferred his service to Ondo State Housing Corporation as the Corporation’s Chief Internal Auditor. He retired same year to concentrate on his private professional practice as an accountant.

    In the general election of 1979, he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti Central Constituency until 1983. As a member of the House, he served as member of the Appropriation Committee, member of the Public Accounts Committee, member of the Joint Committee of Senate and House of Representatives for the agreement of the budget and he was a member of Selection Committee.

While serving his constituency, he initiated and played a major role in the siting of the Federal Polytechnic at Ado-Ekiti and the state university in Ado-Ekiti. During his period as a Representative, he connected his hometown, Iworoko to the National Electricity Grid and facilitated the supply of portable water to the entire community.

    In 1985, he went into the business of property-developers; he invested and completed one thousand capacity student hostels which were christened Osekita hostel. It was a pioneering private initiative to support the then newly established Ekiti State University.

    When you have done well for yourself and the society, you will be recognised and celebrated in your community and its environs. This is why Honourable F.A.O Osekita was honoured with the chieftaincy titles of the Jagunmolu of Igede-Ekiti in 1989, Otunba of Ayegbaju-Ekiti in 1990 and Aare Agadagudu Oniluojeotu of Iworoko-Ekiti in 1991. For his achievements and contribution to humanity, he was awarded several other honors: In 1984, he was installed the Baba Ijo St. James Anglican Church, Iworoko-Ekiti; the Baba Ewe of the old Ekiti Anglican Diocese and in 2007 he became the State Patron of Boys Brigade.

    In 1995, he bagged Ekiti Parapo Merit Award. He was the pioneer President of Iworoko Progressive Union, was the Chairman Iworoko Development Association, served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Iworoko Community High School. In 1999 to 2003, served as the pioneer Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Ado-Ekiti chapter and district member of Accreditation Panel, the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

    Education Liberation. He was a devout Christian who was a foundation member New Calvary Anglican Church at Osekita Estate, Iworoko which he solely funded and built.

    He was philanthropist who subscribed to the dictum that “the child is the salt of the home and education is power behind their success”. He awarded over 500 hundred students with scholarship and bursaries at various levels of education in his lifetime. He registered an education foundation in 2007 in his name with a specific blueprint which he passed to his successors.

    Like all mortals, his time came on January 5th 2008 at the age of 85 years leaving behind a legacy truly worthy of emulation.

    My memory of Baba FAO Osekita was that of a dignified gentleman, a family man to the core and a community leader. I first saw him during the time I went with my father to some of the Ekiti Anglican Diocesan functions and during visits to one another. They had mutual respect for one another. I naturally warmed up to Folayan Osekita, my very good friend right from Christ’s School when we met in 1979. A good tree never begeth a bad fruit.

Prophet & Evangelist Folayan Osekita

Apparently, the dreams and vision of the patriarch found an expression in the life and disposition of his son Prophet and Evangelist Folayan Osekita. I congratulate the Osekita clan, e ku bibi ire, ti ko se f’owo ra. May the gentle soul of Baba continue to rest in peace.