Tribute To High Chief Tajudeen Duduyemi Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo on His 70th Birthday And 26th Installation Anniversary On Saturday, July 9, 2021‘Gbenga Oduniyi, President, Igbogbo Youths Coalition -

Our Revered High Chief Entered The Septuagenarian Threshold Of 70 Years

High Chief Tajudeen Alade Duduyemi Onasanya, the Odofin of igbogbo and Mr ‘Gbenga Odunniyi, President, Igbogbo Youths Coalition.

Turning 70 is a major life milestone. It is a joyous moment for many but could be an emotionally tricky period for a few others.

Those joyous individuals are young at heart and healthy in their minds as 70 years becomes the beginning of the best period of their lives. High Chief Tajudeen Alade Duduyemi Onasanya is one of those individuals who exemplify such traits unarguably. The little we know about this illustrious golden son of the Land of Cool Beauty –who has paid the price over the years with his involvement and commitment to overall development of Igbogbo is well filed in the historical appurtenances of Igbogbo kingdom.

Born on Tuesday, 9^th of July 1951 into the family of late Chief Fajebe Onasanya and late Elder Simbiat Onasanya. His father, a prominent son of Ijora Apasa, Lagos and Oshile Lisa family of Itunmokun, Igbogbo. His mother is of the Seidu Ogunmola of Oke Ira, Baiyeku, and the Saogun Lantan Onanusi family of Agunfoye, Igbogbo descent.

He worked with some organizations including the reputable Flour mills of Nigeria for many years before his emergence as the Odofin of Igbogbo in 1995 during the reign of Late Oba Dr. Johnson Fatola. As young as I was then, I recalled the serene atmosphere that descended suddenly in 1995 when the Oritun Abosan unanimously adopted young Tajudeen Alade Onasanya as the new Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom. May the Eledumare bless our late king (HRM Oba Dr. Johnson Fatola) whose joy travelled to the space beyond when the news reached him that the brilliant, handsome, cheerful, resourceful, and imposing young TajudeenOnasanya had been chosen to occupy the revered Odofin stool.

High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya is tremendously active in all areas of the community functions. He is a key figure in the Adeboruwa-in-Council as the spokesperson, as well as the image modifier right from 1995 when he ascended the Odofin title. His reign as Odofin of Igbogbo has engendered peace and development in the community and suburbs. He is an impeccable orator, a fair-minded community builder, and a bridge builder between the youths and the elders.

Many people benefit from his education support scheme. Underpinned by his uncompromising love for Igbogbo, he led the landscape struggle between Igbogbo and Bayeku and Igbogbo eventually won the case. Another one of his immeasurable contributions was his giant stride in the actualization of the present Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA. He drew on his highly industrious, skillful, and focused standing to work with council chiefs alongside some notable individuals to inaugurate Igbogbo Social and Economic Council (ISEC) for the economic and socio-cultural development of the community. Further, his involvement in the activities of the Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA) is exemplary.

Duduyemi, as he is fondly called by his contemporaries, is passionate about continual uplifting of tradition and culture and he is a projector of traditional institution for modern relevance. Among many physical projects he facilitated are the singlehanded renovation of both the Abosan shrine and the Oritun Abosan Elder’s Council Hall. He also demonstrated unmatched magnanimity by redesigning and beautifying the Iledi Osugbo Igbogbo. He is an active member of the Ikorodu Chieftaincy Council, and Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

“Ori t’afisewe, o nifiwasile” is the case of our father – he understands deeply that “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy”. Baba belongs to many social clubs of repute within and outside our noble community. High Chief Tajudeen Alade Onasanya is happily married and blessed with children.

I, on behalf of Igbogbo Youths Coalition, join all indigenes and residents of Igbogbo and numerous well-wishers in wishing you more glorious years ahead sir. Igba odun, odun kan ni fun yin, baba. Happy platinum birthday and happy 26^th year anniversary as the Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom, sir. You deserve all the accolades you are getting today and even more because you selflessly wear many hats on behalf of Igbogbo and her people over the years. It is time to celebrate you, baba.