D. O. Adetunmbi 1919-1990

Harmony and Honesty Personified: Chief D. O. Adetunmbi
Celebrating Centenary of birth 1919-2019

By

Seye Adetunmbi

Chief D. O. Adetunmbi went to the national congress of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Port Harcourt as the head of delegates of the old Ondo-State. The position of 1^st Vice-President was zoned to the Western Nigeria and the two candidates from Oyo and Ogun could not agree. There was crisis at the national convention; he intervened in his usual leadership character. He appealed to the warring contestants and advised them on how imperative for them to be able to reach a common understanding, after all they were fellow Yoruba brothers and he quietly went back to his seat. Thereafter, the delegates said that the “apostle of harmony” who resolved the differences was the person they wanted to occupy the leadership position. After several persuasions he humbly accepted their request and was elected the 1^st National Vice-President of NUT in 1976.

   Also after executing a project for the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Benin-Owena River Basing Development Authority at the instance of his community, his payment was protracted which involved traveling from Ekiti to Benin-City several times. The project brought him more headaches than gain; when the balance due to him was paid, it came with an over-payment. Naturally, he returned the excess of an over payment to the purse of Federal Government of Nigeria. The accountant said to him: “Baba why didn’t you go home with your cheque? "I won’t be able to sleep"; Baba responded. After the Benin-Owena River Basin Authority official got to know that the old man who returned the cheque was an Ekiti man, he said; “no wonder”. 
     Ekiti Anglican Diocese saw him as someone who did the nation and indeed Ekiti people proud for a rare exhibition of honesty. It was a special commendation, with gifts of one Holy Bible and a wrist watch from Ekiti Diocese at the synod held in Aisegba-Ekiti in 1981 which was presented to him by the then Diocesan, Most Reverend Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye. His virtues were extolled as honesty and integrity personified. To him, his action was the norm; though considered unusual in an environment where the custodians of the national treasury are the ones stealing from the commonwealth with impunity and get away with it because no proper records are kept in a terribly corrupt system.

This is about a man who stood out by doing the simplest things which anybody could achieve if only the person applies his/her mind to it conscientiously. When someone we love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Certainly, Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi a.k.a. Baba; left behind treasures for his family, honorable associates, colleagues and other ranks of loved ones. Apparently, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi (DOA) sought to please God in the conduct of his life by doing well before man and God through the grace of His lord and Saviour. His major tool for achieving this was grounded in the guided principles of a good sense of justice and expression of love to those he came across with an arresting humility. "Mo ri o i yo" (delighted seeing you) was his signature greeting in Ekiti dialect with an infectious deep sincere smile. The state of Baba in his elements often warmed the soul of the encountered person such that one may have no choice than to melt on the inside. That was vintage and venerable him for you. His lifetime was a kind of golden moments of an unending story. His transition then, hurt his loved ones understandably because they wanted to enjoy his presence with them for as long as possible. Indeed his memory had turned out to evoke joys for his children and many who appreciated him. This is consequent to the buried seed of awesomeness of his exemplary character covered with freshly turned earth in 1990 which had sprung up luxuriant vegetation that is boisterous, to God is the glory. Certainly, no matter the odds, it pays to serve God, for truth always triumphs. 

  

His father & grandmother

Prefects of Ondo Boys High School in 1944, Chief Adetunmbi seated 1st right, Venerable Iluyomade sat 2nd from left

Baba stood in the middle of back row with the 1st set of Ifaki Grammar School in 1957

 Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi was a native of Ifaki-Ekiti and was born on July 12, 1919. He lost his mother as a toddler and was brought up by his grandmother. His father was one of the early persecuted Christians in Ifaki-Ekiti. He was baptized at St. Michael Anglican Church Ifaki-Ekiti on the 8th of March 1931. He had his primary education at St Michael’s Anglican Infantry School, Ifaki-Ekiti in 1931 to 1935 and was among the early set of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti in 1936 to 1937. The chief attended Ondo Boys High School, Ondo in 1944 to 1945 and through correspondence, he passed Cambridge School Certificate. He obtained Diploma in Education from University of Ibadan in 1960. DOA started his working career as a pupil teacher in 1937 at Igbara Odo-Ekiti. He later worked at Ilorin, Offa and became Headmaster of Central Primary School, Oke-Opin in 1954. He was one of the pioneer teachers of Ekitiparapo College, Ido-Ekiti in 1955. On invitation of his kinsmen, he co-started Ifaki Grammar School where he served meritoriously from 1957 to 1975 as the Senior Tutor. He retired at All Saints Teachers College, Usi-Ekiti in 1979 as a Head of Department.

Ekiti Diocesan officials at the Bishop's Court Ado-Ekiti in the mid 1960s, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi standing 9th from right

The choir of St Michael's Anglican Church, Ifaki in the early 1980s that won music competition trophy. Baba 1st right in the middle row, Bimbo his last born at the center of the middle row.

Received donation of books to Ifaki Library on behalf of the community

Installation as the Asiwaju of Ifaki-Ekiti in 1974

Baba with his Ifaki-Grammar students in front of Geography Laboratory in the late 1960s

Members of Staff of Ifaki Grammar School in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi 5th from right

Activities of Chief Adetunmbi as a keen church man included being a member of the old Ondo Anglican Diocesan Synod. He served in the old Ekiti Archdeaconry under Archdeacon M. A. Osanyin who was later consecrated as the first Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese. He worked with other notable laity for the establishment of Ekiti Anglican Diocese in 1966. The sole internal auditor for the old Ekiti Anglican Diocese for about 15 years in gratis, going round the churches where there were problems on church finances and other irregularities in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He served as a Bishop’s nominee to the Ekiti Anglican Diocesan Synod until his transition. The Baba Ijo of St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ekiti, 1978 to 1990 and choirmaster/organist free-of-charge of St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki from early 1960s till his transition in March 1990.

Retirement in 1979 at All Saints' Teacher Training College

His NUT days

He joined Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in 1942 and 2557 was his registration number. He served as a member of the Executive Council of NUT of the old Western State of Nigeria in 1971. He rose to become a national leader of the respected union and acted as the National President of NUT, in 1978 to 1979. He represented Nigeria in December 1978 at the International Federation of Free-Teachers Union, 12th World Congress held in Manila, Philippines. His tenure as the leader of NUT was yet to be completed when he retired as a teacher in 1979. He called the attention of his NUT colleagues to it at an executive council meeting that the constitution says it is only a teacher still in service that can occupy the office of the president. His co-unionists venerated him.

During the final rites ceremony of his father in 1980

Baba & his bosom friend, Chief J.N.A. Aderiye

With his son, Senator Olu Adetunmbi in 1979

He served as a councilor in the old Ifaki/Ido/Osi District Council in the 1960s and elected chairman of Ifaki Town Council on the 15th of May, 1970. Chief Adetunmbi worked relentlessly with others to attract social amenities and development to the community which include post office, electricity, pipe borne water, police post, Ifaki Grammar School, and Ifaki General Hospital etc. He was installed the Asiwaju of Ifaki-Ekiti on the 13th of April 1974, by the suave and respected Olufaki of Ifaki, His Royal Highness, Oba Josiah Ojo Akanle III. The renowned school administrator and educationist served on the board of governors of many institutions as either chairman or treasurer. Some of these schools include Divisional Teacher Training College, Oye-Ekiti; All Saints Teacher Training College, Usi-Ekiti etc. He authored a detailed and well researched historical and documentary book titled, Ifaki-Ekiti: A Typical Community in Yoruba Land. 

Christening of Bimbo in 1967 and her confirmation ceremony with Bishop Adetiloye and Baba in 1982

During church wedding service of Dayo at Ilesha in 1986

Baba got married on August 10, 1952 to Miss Comfort Modupe Adelusi a.k.a. Mama. Baba and Mama kept faith with the holy matrimony until death did part them and the marriage was blessed with children. Chief D.O. Adetunmbi was a disciplinarian, a devoted family man, a very generous character and outstandingly upright. He was a lover of concord, a votary of peace, an advocate of truth and an apostle of harmony in every human endeavour. He appreciated his root and served his community selflessly and in turn his people revered him. He worshiped God through Christ with every means at his disposal and earned unequivocally the exalted position of a highly respected opinion leader in his domain.
Baba was a front-line subsistence farmer. He loved organ music, it was his forte while photography was a hobby and enjoyed pounded yam with his favourite bush meat etu (antelope), akika (porcupine) and okuru (grass cutter). He enjoyed company of his people and honourable men generally.

L-R sitting: Olubunmi, Yetunde, Baba, Kayode & Dayo. Standing Nike, Bimbo & Seye

Baba & Omolade in 1986

During 1989 Christmas holiday, I asked him how far he had gone with the historical book he was writing on Ifaki community. In response, he said: “After all, if I couldn’t finish it, you (Seye) will complete it for me...” Three months after, on the 21st of March 1990, my beloved father passed-on.  On March 20th 1990, he left choir practice around 6 pm, played his 1917 pedal organ at home till after 10 p.m. and passed on at about 2.30 a.m. of March 21st, 1990. "Such is a Christian parting hour, so peacefully, he rested in the lord". At the time of his transition, he was survived by his wife, Chief Mrs C.M. Adetunmbi (1931-2017), the Iya-Ijo of St. Michael's Anglican Church, Ifaki, and his children: Kayode, Yetunde, Olubunmi, Adedayo, Adenike, Oluseye and Abimbola with many grandchildren. Posthumous awards received included 1991 Ekiti Anglican Diocesan Merit Award and Ekiti State 2004 Merit Award.

Subsequent to editing, updating with relevant vintage pictures and structuring the manuscript of his research work appropriately, in line with the way he would have wanted it done, I got the book published 28 years after his transition. It had been rather unsettling for me each time the project came to my consciousness all these years until I saw through the assignment he gave me. Consequent to seeing the depth of his research, his uncommon sense of record keeping and the huge materials he had been gathering since 1961 till 1990: digging deep into facts of history, geography, culture and tradition of his community, I was inspired to write the biography of the man with such a foresight and deep sense of selflessness. It was published as a separate book for posterity. Bulk of the two pictorial historical books that were initially produced has been donated to the libraries of Nigerian Universities and secondary schools. To facilitate access of more people to his research work and his inspiring published biography, the two books are now available online to mark the centenary of his birth and to the glory God.

FINAL RITES FOR BABA IN 1990

THE APOSTLE OF HARMONY

By

Seye Adetunmbi

The Prologue

Like my brothers and sisters, I was quite close to our father, Baba as he was popularly called. As a little boy, I was very inquisitive and was fond of him. I was always around him, reverently asking one question or the other most especially after I have overgrown the fear that I had for him because of his strictness and uncompromising disposition to discipline. I can say that I learnt about events before mid-sixties through several discussions with him, Mama, my elder brothers and sisters, while the activities from late 1960s upward I witnessed personally.

As a little boy I traveled with him several times to many different places for formal and informal functions and meetings. After I got my driving license in 1978, I was one of his drivers for over a decade until his transition. I was also one of his attendants and assistants when he was managing the first National Oil Petrol Filling Station (formally Shell) in Ifaki. In fact, I did not realise the frequency of my presence around him at the filling station until Mrs Ojo Kajola, one of the petty traders and neighbours tagged me adiye Baba (daddy’s rooster). Apart from the fact that I consider myself privileged to have passed through his tutelage as one of his students (1973-1975) in the secondary school, I was also one of his choristers right from the age of 9 at St Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ekiti for several years. Consequently, at the risk of sounding immodest I believe that I knew him intimately.

Some instances that were quoted in his biography were not just mere hearsay because, he actually told me some and I witnessed a few cases. His virtues that are highlighted in the biography are basic things that most people who knew him very well admitted that were his lifetime attributes. In fact, he was not the kind of person one can easily falsify his records either by taking from it or adding to it, because he was a man of the people. I did not attempt to attach to his image, any halo of perfection. Nevertheless, it is a fact that he left an impeccable record of service to humanity in his community and in his career as a teacher. His affability was exemplary and was charitable to all God’s children. In fact it was difficult to write about him in past tense within 3 months of his transition in 1990 that I have concluded the manuscript of this biography.

When the loss of Baba was still fresh and overwhelmed by emotions, Intuitively, I wanted the book to be titled Aarukan. I came across or took notice of the Yoruba word for the first time shortly after Baba passed-on. I observed that several times whenever any of his associates, friends, relations, neighbours, tenants and beneficiaries, kind of reminiscence about their encounters with him, they were so emotion-laden. Most of them often cried. Each time I wondered why so much emotion, the reply I usually got from them and people around was “arukan ni oro Baba”. In essence his friends, beneficiaries and admirers were often in a reflecting mood whenever they recalled any of his legacies which brought to mind the cherished moments they shared together. Arukan could therefore be interpreted to mean triggered memories that often bring forth unceasing emotions.

            By the time the book was to be published, the inspiration came to give it this title: “The Apostle of Harmony”. In every setting that Baba was involved, what he wanted was for the people to live together in harmony. Where he needed to make personal sacrifices through various self denials, he was inclined to let everything go for peace to reign. Also as a remarkable church organist, he played nothing but complete harmonized notes which made his organ recitals to be rich and soothing while at it, one of the things he did best in his lifetime. He was indeed an Apostle of Harmony.

Various factors were responsible for publishing the biography of Chief David Opeyemi Abayomi Adetunmbi. In the course of my carrying out the assignment he gave me to publish his well researched book on the history of Ifaki-Ekiti, I felt that the effort would be complementary if the biography of the man with such a foresight, and distinct vision was made available for posterity. This constitutes the first section of this book.  The second section is devoted to the life history of Mama, his dear wife and my darling mother who passed-on before the biography of Baba was published.

The concluding part of this special publication is the third section which pays tribute to a select few exemplary Ekiti indigenes. Relatively, most of these people were his professional colleagues, associates and like minded personalities who distinguished themselves in their respective lifetime activities. My personal admiration of all of them informed my decision to devote the third section of this book for these selected few in this publication because their lifetime dispositions were worthy of emulation. Some of them were his friends and age mates with whom he shared cordial relationship. There was an exception in one of his students that I included because he was a genius and passed-on at a relatively young age. I also included my tribute on the first female graduate from Ifaki-Ekiti. A few of the distinguished men I paid tribute to were younger than Baba, while others were older and yet they had mutual respect for one another. In essence, what we have in this special publication are three distinct books in one.

Although the maiden manuscript of Baba’s biography was ready by the second quarter of 1990, I could only get round to publish it 28 years after. “Man proposes God disposes.” However, God made it possible for me to include the biography of the matriarch of the family, Mrs Comfort Modupe Adetunmbi (1931-2017) who carried on for over 27 years after the transition of the patriarch. With the accompanying memorable final rites photos, this makes this unique 3-in-1 book an integrated distinct memorabilia for the keeps of family members, friends, associates and those who like to read biographies.

Till we me meet to part no more, Baba and Mama. “To live in the hearts of our loved ones is not to die”.

Oluseye Adetunmbi

June 25th, 2018

NO SLAVE NO MASTER: WE ARE PARTNERS IN PROGRESS 

By, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi 1919-1990

"Discerning the right type of government for Nigeria and form of representation: A memo written by Chief D. O. Adetunmbi to Federal Government of Nigeria in 1979"

A particular type of government may not be bad but be made awful by the operators and in the way they handle or execute their policies. One of such is seen in the way those in government side-track their avowed political manifestos when they seek to be in power. They say sweet words that are magically convincing against a background of spineless programmes. The money may not be there to pursue their aims. The next weapon will be deceit, fraud and suicidal boldface for coverage. The onlookers burst out in outrage to decry all their moves and in the end chaos steps in. There is no law and order respected and the government is doomed to fail.

   From our past experience in Nigeria, one will say that we are not yet ripe to have a government with opposition. We are selfish and do not show signs of having any consideration for our fellow men. When we want to ascend to power or when we are in power we do not want to see others aspire to our height. No. We are only satisfied in our other-parts becoming our footstool, stooges, and carriers of wood and drawers of water for us. Ours is first place; others second place or no place. If it is difficult for us to have our ways or when the opponents appear to be the clogs in the wheel of our aspirations, we resort to final and total crushing. All these tend to inhumanity and render a government with opposition improper.

    In the case of presidential system of government, it appears every state develops at its own pace and within the limits of its resources. Development under this type of government pays better as each state strives to attain prominence. More towns and areas change faces and the whole country looks better. With the good sides said, one cannot but see the other side also. A colossal of money is wasted on the presidential system. It gives room for the duplication of high posts in all the states. There are too many masters that hardly respect the center. Some states pull apart against the ideologies of the central government. The central government also tends to make things difficult for the states that do not toe the central government line! The end of everything is chaos and failure.

   In my opinion, I will suggest we need only one party government for the whole country. The government should be broad based to cover the whole country. No other party should be allowed to spring up after the one that the whole country has agreed to form. As the country is poised to get a constitutional law or policies for the country, representatives of states or local government areas will form a constituent assembly that will plan for a political party that will be binding on all. The appropriate law will support this. The Constituent Assembly will think out appropriate manifestos for the designated party for the benefit of all and sundry. The policy will be operated in all parts of the country without any opposition. The people that will later constitute the government will interpret and execute the manifestos or policies of the government party. Allowance is given to amend policies as opportunity calls for it.

   It is advisable to have a separate body apart from those in government to review the position of things as people that stand afar to see how things work. Law to help formulate corrective measures for the policies followed by the government will support them. They are not opposition party, not pressure group but members or loyalists of the government party. They are subsidiary arms of the government. They work for the betterment and success of the body in government. With the above, I believe all will be well. State governments should be patterned as that of the federal national government but must have powers under the umbrella of the parent body. They i.e. the states in the country must carry out the policy of the national or central government to the letter.

   On the forms of representation in the government, the country should be zoned for the highest position of the government. Whoever is lucky to be president must follow and carry out the country’s laid down policy. Specific period should be stated for a head to assume power and the next automatically steps in. The choice of the leader from any zone must be the joint responsibility of all the zones. The concerned zone can only present 3 acceptable candidates out of which the president will emerge through votes of those in the one central government. Their people should give a specific time frame to those who participate in the government. This would be at the local, state and central government levels. Any legislator can be withdrawn, sent out by his people and the state or the central government if his or her activities fall below expectation.

   In choosing a legislator, the natural rulers and members of their council with reasonable and loyal members of the public should be solely responsible to the nation in nominating the best candidate. The choice should be based on:

(a) Acceptability of the person on his appearance, physic and education.

(b) His or her past morally and the impact on the community.

(c) His or her financial standing, respect for a constituted authority and fundamental human right.

(d) His or her age, experience and potential ability as a leader.

(e) He or she must not be the one seeking for nomination on personal interest

(f) He or she must be free from any bad record like imprisonment, bankruptcy or moral decadence

(g) Any other good reasons adjudged applicable by the nation

   If our natural rulers are given the opportunity to help in the nomination of candidates for the government, better and trustworthy ambassadors will emerge. In choosing legislators both for the state and central government, local government area should be used as base or point of selection. The number of candidates should be the joint responsibility of the local government with the consent of the natural rulers and others as enumerated above. Representation should be spread all over with strong grass-root backing. Representatives should themselves as the servant of the people not as the master of their people. The post or honour thrown on such a person should not be towards amassing wealth. The calling is essentially to go and sweat for the people.

    The judiciary is a strong arm of the government. It ought to be a body interpreting and helping in keeping law and other in the land. It should be completely autonomous. All retired Judges of meritorious services should form the nucleus of control for the judges of the nation. They should be charged with the appointment, promotion, discipline and commendation of the judges. They must however be guided by the laws of the country and set policies of the governing body.

   In genuine democratic political system, there should be no two ruling powers or leaders of government in the state. The voted government must be sovereign. There should not be any powerful clique or political body that will control such government in power. The political party structure should not be like the types in the past. If this structure could be mutually agreed the nation will not be manipulated to fund the political parties. Like the military regimes, they are expected to be responsible to their government and the nation at large. They do not have to be a servant of two masters i.e. the government and their party. The type of government being advocated is such that, the government is the party and the party is the government.

    Nigeria should however be careful of certain monsters confronting the nation. They are ethnicity, language barriers and issues of the minority areas. Relevant and functional committees should be set up to find solutions to these problems. Nevertheless, I have this to say that a language should be chosen as lingua-franca e.g. English. There will be no end to grumbling if we choose Yoruba, Hausa or Ibo. Other tribes with unique languages will cry out or may feel cheated. Each state may have its lingua franca for convenience within the state if desired. Laws should be formulated to disallow ethnicity working against the unity of the country or nation. We cannot rule out the interest of people in their culture, affinity and general behaviour with their common ancestors including religion. This however should not be allowed to develop into hatred, ostracism and bad blood among the people of different ethnic groups. Selfish interest should not be brought into government. Legislators are not nominated for ethnicity but in the interest of the nation. No slave, no master; we are all partners in progress.

Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi (1919 -1990) was the national leader of Nigerian Union of Teachers 1977-1979, Asiwaju of Ifaki-Ekiti 1974-1990 and the Baba-Ijo of St. Michael Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ifaki 1978-1990. On 21/3/90, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi passed on. This article is an extract from his biography: The Apostle of Harmony. The issues he raised remain fundamental to our nationhood for Nigeria to get it right. The challenges then are still with us without any lasting solution yet. May God help our dear Nigeria.

The Grammar School: Ifakigrams

IFAKI GRAMMAR SCHOOL HERITAGE: AN OVERVIEW OF 1957-2022

By, Seye Adetunmbi, 1973-78 Set, Jones (Blue) House 31/8/21

Up till the early 1950s, there was only one secondary school in the old Ekiti Province, Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti and it was established by the missionaries. Efforts of some early educated Ekiti indigenes in the Diaspora led to the establishment of Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti in 1954. This development spurred other communities to start considering having a secondary school in their domain. The regional government of the day, under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo helped the situation by offering to take-over the responsibility of schools from the communities that were able to provide basic infrastructure up to a specific level. Ifaki community was encouraged by this favourable government policy among other reasons to establish their own secondary school.

    In 1955, the idea of having a secondary school was muted by the community leaders, the enlightened sons and daughters of Ifaki-Ekiti. The first formal meeting on the plan of the community to establish Ifaki Grammar School (IGS) was held on December 28th 1955. At the first executive meeting of the committee for the establishment of IGS, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi was appointed the treasurer for the Grammar School fund on April 21st 1956. IGS was approved by the government in Ibadan on August 24th 1956. The first bush clearing on the IGS permanent site, by the town people and students was done on March 19th 1957. The Grammar School, Ifaki-Ekiti started with 28 boys on April 21st 1957. The two pioneer teachers were Chief J. O Adeoya (Principal) and Chief D. O. A. Adetunmbi (Senior Tutor). They worked and served meritoriously for over 15 and 18 years respectively.

Sitting L-R: x, Vincent Ojo IV, Jacob Adegboyo, Gabriel Oguntuase, the vacation Jobber from UI, Joseph Ogunleye, Isaac Ariyo, & Olu Omotayo.

Standing 1st Row L-R: Borode Rufus, Adedayo Ojo II, Diya Ogungbamigbe, Adeyemi Falore, Joseph Ajayi I, Ademola Adesina, Femi Ayodele, Michael Ojo III, Dele Omole, Gbadamosi Dada I, Bisi Adebunmi, Ebenezer Babatope, Biodun Agbelese, Dada Ogundipe, Oladele Ajala, Danson Asubiojo. Standing 2nd Row L-R: Remigius Fagboyo, Alade Adeosun, Jonathan Odeyale, Femi Fadiya, Andrew Adewumi, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi (author), Adebayo Ojo I, Bisi Aladegbami, Adegboyega Omodele and Joseph Omodayo

    The Ifaki Progressive Union championed the communal effort on the grammar school project, which eventually led to the establishment of the community secondary school in January 1957. The school started initially within the town in Ilogbe quarter and later moved to its permanent site on Ado-Ekiti road. While academic work was in progress in the temporary site, efforts were made to clear the permanent site. On the 10th of March 1957, the community went for the first time to clear the school site. The following day the students went with Chief D.O. Adetunmbi to uproot trees and clear the site while the town people went to the site on the 19th of March 1957.

    The school formally opened at the new site with Messrs Adeoya, Adetunmbi and Oni on the 23rd of January 1958. To ensure and facilitate regular morning devotion in the school, Chief Adetunmbi moved his 1916 model pedal organ, on the 17th of February 1958 to the school ground for use during assembly devotions in the school, temporarily. The school was officially opened by Mr. J. O. Oye, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education in the old Western Region, on the 1st of March 1958 at 11:00 a.m. Chief J. O. Ojo, the then Principal of Wesley College, Ibadan was honoured with Eletolua chieftaincy title on this memorable day by His Royal Majesty, Oba Olojido Olayisade in recognition of all his efforts on the IGS project. A general thanksgiving service for the school was held on the 2nd of March 1958 and a total of four pounds, fifteen shillings and seven and half pence was collected as offerings during the service.

    Chief J. O. Adeoya was the first Principal of Ifaki Grammar School. He was a product of Wesley College, Ibadan in 1944, holder of Bachelor of Arts degree from the University College, Ibadan in 1952 and attended University of London for his post graduate course in Education. He was in charge of the school for over fifteen years, January 1957 to December 1972. The Methodist Mission contributed tremendously to the running of IGS in its early years. The first set of students graduated in December 1962 and 16 out of 17 candidates who sat for the school certificate examination passed.

Sitting, Chief J. O. Adeoya (4th from right) and Chief Adetunmbi (4th from left) with the first set of students in 1957

    On the 5th of June 1958, a re-conditioned organ was bought for the school for 76 pounds, 7 shillings and 10 pence. A total sum of 83 pounds was spent, cost and freight inclusive. Mr. Osunkunle arrived from the University College, Ibadan on the 11th of June 1959 and assumed duty as the second graduate teacher in the school. The early teachers worked conscientiously for the school. The founding principal was an all-rounder, He taught Latin, English and Mathematics and was on duty every day throughout the week. Also, while Chief Adetunmbi was an active class teacher, he was doing other administrative jobs. At a point in time he was the housemaster, games master, bursar and the admission officer. His students also recalled that Baba as Chief Adetunmbi was popularly called taught them all subjects including those without class teachers. He was quoted at an instance “We are all reading together, try and follow; I myself I am reading for the first time”.

Members of staff of IGS in the late 1960s; sitting L-R: were Mr &Mrs Zachariah, Chief Odu, Mr Stephe, Chief Adeoya (Principal), Baba, Mr & Mrs Dudley Pickson, Mrs Catherine Agbelese, Chief G.O. Dada. Standing from left were Dr Segun Dada, Chief J.A. Fadare, Mr Dayo Ojo, Mr Abiodun Agbelese, Mr Bankole & the Bursar

    The Board of Governors of Ifaki Grammar School appointed Chief D.O. Adetunmbi as the Senior Tutor on July 16th 1960, in recognition of his contributions to the progress of the school. Preparation for the final year examination of the first set of Ifaki Grammar School was in progress when the formal approval letter from the West African Examination Council (WAEC) was received on the 1st of April 1962. Three days after this cheering news, the roof of the school main block was blown off by tornado. A thanksgiving service was held on the 8th of April 1960 for the good news from WAEC and for the fact that nobody got hurt as a result of the tornado incident. On October 10th 1960, Mr & Mrs Siddigi and Mr. Lovine, the new expatriate teachers for the school were met at Ibadan by Chief Adetunmbi. Mr & Mrs Pickson arrived on the 26th of April 1962 to take up appointment with the school.

Mr P. O. Adewole from Imade College Owo succeeded Chief Adeoya in 1973, one year after, Chief R. A. Fayose, a native of Iyin-Ekiti served as the School principal in 1975 and was succeeded by Mr J. A. Alabi who came from Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti and was in charge in 1976 to 1977. Chief O. O. Adebiyi was the principal in 1977 to 1980, Chief O. Faleye in 1980 to 1983, Chief E. O. Babalola in 1983 to 1986, Mr C.O. Agbele in 1986 to 1995, Pastor O.O. Adelugba in 1995 to 1998, Mr J.O. Olabode in 2010 to 2011, Mr C. A. Abe in 2011 to 2012, Mr R. T. Oso in 2012 to 2017, Mr M. K. Jegede 2017 to 2018 and Mr O. J. Omodara assumed duty as the school principal in 2018 till date.

The standard of the school started dropping when the school principals were not staying long (due to transfer/posting within a year or two) to sustain the lasting school traditions and culture of excellence entrenched by the founding fathers and dedicated teachers over the years. The dilapidated state of infrastructures that couldn’t be fixed which was peculiar to most of the government schools in Nigeria did not help matters. The boys only school became a mixed school in September 1980 and in September 2018, it came back to Boys school only. The greatest setback the school suffered came when the campus was taken-over in 2008 by a newly established university in Ifaki and later annexed by Ekiti State University. This resulted to IGS students squatting at Methodist Girls High School, Ifaki-Ekiti from February 2009 to 2018.

Members of 1962-68 Set of IGS with Chief D.O. Adetunmbi in front of Geography Lab. Some members of this set include Dr Victor Olayisade, Prof Kunle Adelusi, Messrs Doyin Dada, Ajibade Fawole etc

    Naturally, majority of the old students never liked the idea of the school premises that was taken-over. As a matter of fact, at a stage, some of us called for cohabitation of the university college and IGS so that our students would have access to the sports’ fields and the alumni will still have some measure of attachment to their alma mater to facilitate more financial support for the progress of the school. Due to lack of consensus caused by the non-inclination of those behind the takeover of the school premises, the best decision could not be taken for the school for the benefit of the current students. However, through the intervention of the alumni body, conscious effort was made to relocate the students to the provided new site within the expansive land acquired for the defunct university, some hundred meters away from the IGS original premises. The financial support of the alumni association and few Ifaki indigenes is commendable, especially High Chief Eyemuju Bolanle Owolabi who donated a classroom block. All the concerted efforts and collective determination made it possible to make some building structures available for the use of the students in addition to the basic building the state government provided. The students resumed schools in the new premises in September 2018. A lot is still required to bring the school up to the required standard.

    Apparently, hope is not lost on the restoration of the IGS heritage because some members of the old students are not giving up because of their passion for their alma mater this is why call for restoration keeps recurring in the forum of the global alumni body and at some sets’ levels.

    In spite of the challenges, the school has produced many distinguished and successful men of various professional callings. To the glory of God, among the IGS alumni community are professors, royal fathers, federal ministers, a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, judges, top military officers, many professional bankers, numerous high ranking technocrats etc. It is our hope that things will look up for the school in earnest to measure up again to the standard of the cherished IGS when it was at its peak that parents sent their children from Lagos, Ibadan and other parts of Nigeria to come for their secondary school education in Ifaki-Ekiti. Up Ifaki Grams, up IGS, up School!!!

IFAKI GRAMS CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND INTEGRATED REMINISCES

By, Seye Adetunmbi, 1973-78 Set

Ifaki Grammar School (IGS) means a lot to people in different ways depending on the relationship of each person with the school. The Ifaki community people that founded the school do have their stories to tell. The students from the neighbouring towns and villages who didn’t have secondary schools in their community to attend considered it a privilege to attend IGS. Those non-academic staff and teachers and their children of course often have their sentimental attachment to the school for various reasons. In general, most old students have sentimental attachments to their alma mater, IGS alumni are no exceptions. 

Personally, my fondness of Ifaki Grammar School as an institution and as a unique school premises are in many parts. First and foremost, my father was one of the founding fathers of the school, who spent 18 years of his career as a teacher and a remarkable school administrator developing the school. He was called upon by Ifaki community, from Ekiti Parapo College where he was planning to further his education to come and co-start IGS, it was a sacrifice he made. Secondly, I was born in 1962 when my parents were living in the school premises and had my toddling years with Dayo Pickson whose parents were the next door neighbor white British expatriates. Mr & Mrs Dudley Pickson named their first child after Mr Adedayo Ojo, the first Senior Prefect of Ifaki Grams. Thirdly, I was a student of IGS from September 1973 to June 1978 from Form I1 to Form V. Fourthly, I knew most of the senior students that ordinarily I didn’t meet in school by virtue of my unhindered access to the school premises and witnessing of various school events and ceremonies from late 1960s to early 1970s. Fifthly, Every Sunday, we worshipped together with some of the students at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki and Lastly, I saw students’ procession to annual carol service at Methodist Church, Ilogbe. I particularly witnessed the loud shout of Waaahhhh when Chief Adeoya drove pass the procession in his Black Opel and Baba Jack when my father passed through them in his Peugeot 403 car with the plate number WL6703. I was also called omo Baba by the students when they saw me.

The first classroom block of IGS

The students and teachers in 1970

    Contemporarily, what constituted the heritage of Ifaki Grams that endeared the school to all ranks of stakeholders are entrenched in how the school evolved, the structure of the school compound with an effective boarding system built on Christian foundation, good curricula delivered by dedicated teachers, the H-shape layout of the school premises with an expansive and well maintained fields for wide range of sports, the school dormitories – Alarada (Red) House, IPU (Yellow) House, Jones (Blue) House and School (Green) House, inter-House and inter-schools sports, dining hall experience, socials - welcome party for new students, among other reasons. A typical day started with devotion and prayers in the hostel by singing from Ancient and Modern, this will be continued at the Assembly Hall when the Day-students would participate. We had break at 11:00am during classes when interested students had the chance of eating rice and dodo from food vendor from town, Mama pupa, Mrs Omotayo was the favorite of most students in my time in the school. Siesta of one hour followed suit after launch, evening sports and prep after dinner. The day ended with devotional hymns and prayer just before light-out at 10 pm. The lasting school culture and tradition helped most students to be able to sing the first and the last stanzas of some hymns from the Ancient and Modern or Songs of Praise hymn books. In order for day students to get a feel of the full school culture and it was compulsory that Year 4 and 5 students should be in the boarding house. This will enable them to study more within the school premises for the final year examinations.

The school staff and the final year students in 1970

Fond memories of dedicated school principals and resourceful school teachers also endeared students to Ifaki Grammar School. My principal in Form 1 was Mr P. O. Adewole who came from Imade College. He was a man of distinct personality who spoke Queen’s English and his first born Adekanmi Adewole was my classmate, we were the youngest in the class, we sat next to each other we were best friends and the relationship remains till date.

   

I have very fond memories of Chief R.A. Fayose, a native of Iyin-Ekiti, in his immaculate white conductor, his signature official dress to school. He made out time to take us some literature classes in Form III. Likewise, Chief J. O. Alabi who was noted for speeding with his Peugeot 403 car, he got the nickname of opaque from students because he made himself as an example of an opaque body when he was teaching the students Physics. We were also blessed with some outstandingly resourceful teachers, some of them took us more than one subject in the junior classes e.g. my father, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi took us Geography, Bible Knowledge and Yoruba. The Map Reading Baba thought us in Form 1 was so rich to the extent that I found it useful in HSC and in my undergraduate days. Chief Akinyele was a brilliant geography teacher, likewise Reverend Ala who was a chemistry teacher and our music instructor. Chief J.B. Adetola, the vice-principal was in a class of his own as a veteran geography teacher. Other unforgettable teachers were Chief Kayode Ige who taught history, Chief Adeolu taught history, Chief Falana taught French, Mr Adegboyo taught Literature, Chief Ajibola taught Agriculture, Mr Orimoloye taught French with his HSC.

IGS had a good outing in sports, especially in soccer, hockey, athletics and table-tennis. Chief G.O. Dada was the evergreen games master for the school for many years. Inter-house sports were always actions packed and would remain memorable in the history of the school. I was a member of the school football team and was the table-tennis captain which took me to Akure when I represented Ekiti West in the old Ondo-State sports competition. Our hockey team played at state level in the late 1970s. The rivalry of Ekiti Parapo College (EKPACO), Ido-Ekiti and Ifaki Grams in football was legendary. Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti, EKPACO and Victory College had HSC students which put the schools at an advantage to attract sportsmen from other schools. This often make football matches between IGS and these school often very tasking and tension packed because our team was always making a remarkable outing. In academics, the school had produced so many brilliant scholars. We heard about those we didn’t meet in school and we met some as seniors, classmates and juniors.

Part of Alarada House on the left and staff quarters on the right

A section of Jones House

Dinning Hall and the wall of Jones House on the right

Principal's Lodge

School House on the left and Housemaster's apartment on the right

IPU

Chemistry, Physics and Biology laboratories from left to right, the next building was the sports' room

Lawn Tennis Court

Classes 2 and 3 Block

Chemistry and Geography Lab block

Physics and Biology

Consequently, I like to conclude this essay with the story of the prodigious Samuel Adekunle Ajaja, a product of IGS. He was a rare breed academically in the history of Ifaki community and Ifaki Grams. Adekunle Ajaja was born in Ifaki-Ekiti around 1948 by extremely humble and indigent parents. After attending Methodist Primary School, Ifaki under a free education programme, he could not even process admission into secondary school because his very poor parents could not afford to buy an admission form. In 1962 through the grace of God and some philanthropic support, he joined the 6^th set of Ifaki Grammar School. He got double promotion to the 5^th set of IGS in Class II. While the 4^th set was the last to spend 6 years in the secondary school, the 5^th set was the first to spend 5 years. Ajaja came first in their first term examination though he did not make 1^st position in the second and third terms in Class II, but led their set thereafter in class III to the final class.

Six years was then the standard number of years scheduled for secondary school education, but Ajaja completed his in four years and passed out with distinction in 1965. In essence, he came in with the 6^th set and graduated with the 4th set. His set was noted to be extremely brilliant in the history of Ifaki Grammar School. His other mates include Rev Kayode Omotayo, Pastor Segun Fayemi, Prof Olu Akute and Prof Eric Fayemi. He attended Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti briefly in 1966 for HSC. He gained admission into University of Ibadan and graduated in 1970 with B. Sc (Hons) Second Class Upper in Physics and it was noted that his aggregates narrowly missed 1^st Class honours. He had wanted to study Nuclear Physics at postgraduate level, but for one reason or the other, it was not possible.

Nevertheless, as a result of his exemplary performance, he gained admission straight for his PhD programme in Cambridge University to Study Computer Science on scholarship. Unfortunately, poor Ajaja could not complete this phase of his academic pursuit because he was seriously indisposed and had to come back home from United Kingdom. Regrettably, he did not survive his ordeal and died in the early 1970s at UCH, Ibadan and was buried in Ibadan. Ifaki Community, his schoolmates, and Ifaki elites at home and abroad indeed mourned him when he stopped the race abruptly which left his poor aged mother in sorrow. To say that I was pained by his transition would amount to an understatement because I was very fond of him in my innocent years as a little boy in the late 1960s/early 1970s whenever I saw him because he liked me and played with me. Life is cruel when brilliant person like Kunle Ajaja is wasted at a prime age. Adekunle Ajaja was indeed a very brilliant student, uncommon genius in his lifetime and a great academic of all times with unparalleled credentials in his domain. The good thing is that there are many old students alive today who were also brilliant in school and have done well for themselves and the larger society in their chosen career to the glory of God. Up School Ifaki Grams, Up school IGS!!!

IFAKI GRAMMAR SCHOOL (IGS) ALUMNI ACTIVITIES

IGS Founded in 1957

Chief D.O. Adetunmbi sitting 4th from left and Chief J. O. Adeoya 5th from left, the 1st Principal flanked by the first set of IGS in 1957

National Alumni Activities

Set's Reunion Photos

Reunion with Past Teachers

Vintage High School Days' Photos

The first set of Ifaki Grammar School in 1957. Sitting L-R: Vincent Ojo IV, Jacob Adegboyo, Gabriel Oguntuase, Teacher on a vacation Job from University of Ibadan, Joseph Ogunleye, Isaac Ariyo and Olu Omotayo. Standing 1st Row L-R: Rufus Borode, Adedayo Ojo II, Diya Ogungbamgbe, Adeyemi Falore, Joseph Ajayi I, Ademola Adesina, Femi Ayodele, Michael Ojo III, Dele Omole, Gbadamosi Dada I, Bisi Adebunmi, Ebenezer Babatope, Biodun Agbelese, Dada Ogundipe, Oladele Ajala and Danson Asubiojo. Standing 2nd Row L-R: Remigius Fagboyo, Alade Adeosun, Jonathan Odeyale, Femi Fadiya, Andrew Adewumi, Chief  D.O. Adetunmbi (Teacher), Adebayo Ojo I, Bisi Aladegbami, Adegboyega Omodele and Joseph Omodayo.