ADEWOLE OJO, THE LAST OF THE FOREMOST LEGENDS IS GONE!……….Tayo Akinyemi

I grew up to know Baba, Chief Josephus Adewole Ojo as an accomplished personality. During my kindergarten days in the early 80s, at Adegoke Nursery and Primary School, Igboora, my sport’s house was “ADEWOLE OJO HOUSE”. I remember we had four houses then :”Atinuke Adegoke House, Jean Pearson House, Adewole Ojo House and the School House”. Atinuke Adegoke was the proprietor’s wife, Jean Pearson was a European man while Adewole Ojo was the only black personality honoured with a house. One may ask why Adewole Ojo? despite the tentacles of Chief Adegoke’s influence globally.

Sometimes in 1998 at the last event jointly organised by the entire Igboora Community, to re-awake “Igboora day” which had stopped due to some communal issues; the late Philanthropist, Igboora Community leader and Mayegun of Igboora, Late Chief Amos Olasupo Adegoke called two personalities to the podium : Late Chief J.M Olanipekun and Chief Adewole Ojo. I remembered how frank and emotional Chief Adegoke was on the then cold war ravaging the community then; he concluded by placing the affairs of Igboora Community on the duo. Why only Chief Olanipekun and Chief Ojo? No wonder, Asako Radio/TV honoured Baba Ojo as “Igboora living legend” on 26th December, 2021.

Asides the ancestors of communities that made up the current Igboora town : Babaaso Agadagidi, Ogboja Abedo, Lagaye Aisa, Lasogba Ajadi Aro, Obe Alade / Lajorun; we can only mention the first phase of legends who have greatly impacted positively to the development of Igboora Community. We talk of Heroes like Late Chief Jacob Afolabi Akinleye, Late Chief Gbadegeshin Adeniran, Late Chief J.P Olugbile, Late Baale Adeoye, late Alhaji Amuda Yussuf Akinlabi, Late Chief J.M Olanipekun, late Chief N.A Akinlabi, Late Alhaji Fasasi Adesope Owotutu and Late Chief Moses Folorunsho Adeegbe, our vibrant and resourceful Baba, Josephus Adewole Ojo is the last of these wonderful legends. They were the founders and Architect of the current “Modern Igboora Community”.

Chief Josephus Adewole Ojo was born to the family of Chief Disamu Ojo Gbonka, Oke-Iserin Igboora in 1931. He was educated at Baptist Training College, Ede (1953-1954), Baptist College, Iwo (1957-58) and University of Ibadan (1968-1971).

Late Chief Adewole Ojo worked as a Teacher within and outside Oyo State between 1948 and 1968. As Baba used to tell me :”Tayo, you are just like your Mum, highly intelligent and brilliant when she was my student at the Teacher’s Training College, Ota”……my mum of 80 being taught by Baba Ojo…., what an impactful life Baba lived?

Coming back to what distinguished Baba Adewole Ojo as an accomplished legend, he was a founding member of the Igboora Literary Union which metarphosised to Igboora Progressive Union. The fact had it that most of the meaningful Schools, Structures and developmental edifice in Igboora of today (Igboora Town Hall, Post Office, Cottage Hospital now General Hospital, Igboora High School, Technical College now OYSCATECH etc) were championed by the IPU. Chief Adewole Ojo was the Secretary between 1969 to 1972.

Chief Adewole Ojo was the Chairman, Board of Governors, Igboora High School (1973-75), Chief organiser , Igboora Post Office building (1969-72), Executive committee Member, National Scout Project, Igboora (1979-1984), former Chairman, Board of Directors, Igboora Community Bank to mention few.

Going into his political life, Gbonka Adewole Ojo was elected as member Oyo State House of Assembly between 1979 and 1983 where he served as the Chairman, Standing order and group leader of Parliamentary delegation to USA and Britain in 1982. Baba used to tell me each time I visit him to review our state of representation :”Tayo, there was never a sitting session that I don’t talk or move a motion at the plenary when I was a member of the house, I was so respected by the Speaker and all the members”. This exactly was the attribute of our dear Baba.

My late father, Late Onipako of Pako, Oba Lamidi Akinyemi held Baba Ojo in a very high esteem during his life time, this was usually corroborated by Baba Ojo in every of my visits to him :”Tayo, your father supported me wholeheartedly during my electionary campaigns in 1978/79. He also stood by me in 1991 when some people objected my Installation as the Jagunmolu of Igboora, kabiesi sponsored a special attire for Pako Chiefs called “Aso Jagunmolu”, this I so much cherished in your father”.

Baba was very correct on the above assertion, my late father so much cherished his skillful approach to issues, I remembered sometimes in 2002, when his son, Otunba Ademola Ojo was showing interest in the local government leadership, Baba Ojo and his best friend, Basorun of Iberekodo, Chief Ayoade (Ayo Tapa) came to seek for my Dad’s blessing and support; to my Dad, such move shouldn’t have been necessary, but then, the cold war of Igboora – Ilupeju was very much alive. My Dad told Baba : “Egbon, se nkankan le da arin wa ru sha? your children are equally my children, besides, the development of Igboora is always my priority”. Till my father’s demise in 2013, Demola Ojo remained one of his favorites.

Baba, till his death was a community and family man of virtue. This reflected so much on the qualities of surviving children of Baba, successful and impactful just like the father. I congratulate the Adewole Ojo dynasty on this rare uniqueness.

Sometimes in 1998, My late father and Chief Ojo represented and defended Igboora Communities at the Oloko commission of Enquiry into Chieftaincy matters by the Oyo State Government; this alone showcased how cordial they were when it comes to Community matters.

In the last two years, I lost 4 important personalities who have been so supportive and believed so much in my father’s philosophies: Chief M.F Adeegbe, Prophet Sunday Ojelabi, my beloved brother, Prince Akintoye Akinyemi and now Chief Adewole Ojo. These personalities have always been supportive, they believed so much in my late father and these I will greatly missed. Baba was always telling me:” Tayo, you would definitely meet antagonists in-house as your father already told you, I knew much about your father’s positions, never look back, it might be tough, but you will triumph”……., this alone keeps me moving….

I sympathize with our Mama, Deaconess Adeyoola Ojo, I kept wondering how Mama will cope with the BIG vacuum…..,two lover birds…, may Allah strengthen Mama and give her the fortitude to cope with the loss.

I equally condole with Prof. Biodun Ojo, Otunba Ademola Obafemi Ojo and the entire Adewole Ojo clan. My childish advise is that, “that highly reffered Dynasty must be sustained, Baba’s legacy must continue to shine”.

My deepest condolence to our kabiesi, the Olu of Igboora. The exit of “Gbonka”, (a warlord) is a very BIG vacuum to the council, may Allah Grant the entire Igboora Community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

May Allah forgive Baba Adewole Ojo’s shortcomings, replace him with another forward minded leader and Grant him eternal life.