Kunle Adelabu, Mariam Akinloye & Joy Fanon
Ten years after the passage of His Royal Majesty, Late Oba (Dr.) Salaudeen Afolabi Adekoya Oyefusi, CON, family members and eminent personalities in lkorodu, have recalled the reign of the immediate past Ayangbure of Ikorodu, whose reign they said brought expansion and developments to the community and its environs.
Many of those that spoke at the special prayer sessions organized by the family of the late Oba and the foundation named after him, also described him as a father to all.
The Islamic and Christian prayer sessions for the late legendary Oba was held on Friday, August 2, 2024 (the exact date he joined his ancestors), at his palatial mansion, the Royal Castle of Peace, located at Lowa, Ikorodu.
While the Muslim prayer session was led by His Eminence, Shaykh Sefiudeen Ademoritan Olowooribi, the Grand Chief Imam, Ikorodu Division and His Eminent, Shaykh Yahya Oshoala Ajagbemokeferi As – Samadani, the Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque, the Christian version was led by the former Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ikorodu, Prof. Adegoke and the current CAN Chairman.
Bible passages for the remembrance were read by the children of the late monarch. The first passage was read by Prince Afolabi Oyefusi from 1st Corithians 15 vs 12-22, followed by Princess Abiodun Oyefusi who from the Psalm 90 vs 1-17, while Princess Adepero Odusanya read the third passage from the Book of John 6 vs 37 -40.
Prof. (Senior Evangelist) Adegoke, the former CAN Chairman, leading the prayer session, described the remembrance of the late Oba as that of an icon that left great impacts.
“We thank God for the grace granted us to be alive today and gathered here today to remember our late father, Oba Salaudeen Afolabi Oyefusi.
“Baba was one of the icons that when we remember him, we must also remember his roles while he was here with us. He walked on the rock with his footprint marked on it. So, we shall forever remember him until there is no more history to write.
“We are gathered here to remember him and celebrate his life and we shall always do this as long as we are alive.
“I remember when I got to this town in February 1988. Then, we used to board the Ikorodu/Ita -Elewa bus from Ojota or Ketu, with a very little money. At that time, Ikorodu was very small and we could count the number of taxis in Ikorodu and we knew the operators.
“It was during his reign that Ikorodu witnessed very rapid development”, the religious leader said.
The former lkorodu CAN Chairman also thanked the present Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, for the quality representative he sent to to the remembrance event.
The Aremo of Ikorodu Kingdom, Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, a close relative of the late monarch and confidante, also recalled his life and times, and described him as a man of many parts.
“I was very close to my late brother right from when we were younger. He was a very good man who was very religious. He was a Christian and at one point, he was also a Muslim before he became the king. He was a member of the Cherubim & Seraphim before.
“He was involved in many trades and he traveled abroad and I was overseas too”, Aremo Ogunsanya said.
Aremo Ogunsanya also recalled the scenarios when the Obaship issue came up after the death of Oba Ladega, while he was in London with Oba Oyefusi whom he said eventually became the Oba after his initial refusal.
“We were close since our childhood and when he was the king till death.
“He always listened to me when nobody could get through him. Even when he had issues with his children and they ran to me, he would listen when I talked to him”.
The elder statesman also stated that the late monarch contributed immensely to the development of Ikorodu.
“He doesn’t go to Alausa except he is going there for the betterment of Ikorodu and its sons and daughters. That’s why we are gathered here today celebrating him several years after his exit.
“He did very well for Ikorodu”.
Otunba Rafiu Adewale, Chairman, Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi Foundation, stated that he got to know the late Oba through his late wife, Olori Muyibat Oyefusi, when they were both working at the Mobil.
He said that he decided to work for him after his retirement, because he knew him for his commitment and dedication to Ikorodu.
“After my retirement, I have known him very well and I became his Private Secretary. I always prepare every correspondence that goes out from the palace, from my house.
“Sometimes, he would just call me to prepare a letter and I will bring it to him to sign.
“One thing that stands out is the fact that he loved this town to the extent that he could sacrifice anything for it.
“I knew what this town was when I was growing up and what it is today. Baba was the modern Ikorodu.
“Baba would never go to Alausa except for Ikorodu matter. They knew that once he enter the Secretariat, it was for something important.
“Once he enters, all the commissioners and permanent secretaries would come out to welcome him.
“He was so dignified, respected and revered”.
He also recalled how Baba installed him as an honorary chief.
“Baba didn’t collect a kobo from me when I was installed. Baba doesn’t collect money to make people a chief, but he always concerned himself about the impacts and character of anyone that he wants to make a chief.
Late Oba Oyefusi’s daughter, Princess Adepero Odusanya, also speaking, described his late dad as God fearing and accommodating.
“I was with my father for a very long time and every morning when he wakes up, he always sings a particular song to thank God (she recounted the song)”, she said.
“He always warned us not to look down on anybody.
“He accommodated everyone as a father to all. He was at home with the christians, muslims and traditional religion practitioners.
“Anyone that comes to him for help is assured of getting his request and whenever he cannot do so, he would look for somebody to handle the matter”.
Princess Pero also recalled how his late father was instrumental to the progress of several sons and daughters of Ikorodu and the kingdom.
“He was instrumental to many Ikorodu indigenes’ admissions into higher institutions.
“Whenever his secretary is not around and someone needs a letter for admission or a job, Kabiyesi would get on the typewriter to prepare the letter himself. He was also used to taking Ikorodu indigenes to Alausa, for employment
“Ikorodu was dear to his heart and always enjoined us to always remember the children of whom we are, and that we must be good ambassadors of Ikorodu”, she said.
The Baale of Maya, Chief Adekunle Jaiyesimi who served under the late king, said that he was instrumental to the creation of the Council of Baales and that he was fair to his subjects.
“He was an Oba whose reign witnessed many developments and he was just, fair and equitable.
“He arbitrated over matters judiciously. He never favoured an indigene that was wrong against any resident.
“He was known as Oba that refused to take bribe during the military regime, and insisted on doing the right thing.
“He was a great man”, he said.
The CAN Chairman, …. who delivered the sermon, charged those present at the 10th year remembrance event to emulate late Oba Oyefusi whom he said is still being talked about many years after his death.
Chief Imam Seifudeen Olowo-Oribi, during the Muslim prayer session, charged the children of the late traditional ruler to ensure that they give a good account of themselves after their father’s exit.
The muslim leader also charged people to write a good history about themselves.
“Oba Oyefusi is no more today but his words, good deeds and account of service and leadership are still here with us.
“Oba Oyefusi moved Ikorodu from rural to a city. He exposed Ikorodu to the outside world.
“He was the first Oba that accepted the Muslim community in Ikorodu, and he was the one that initiated the Ikorodu Muslim Community, ” he said.
Imam Olowo-Oribi recalled one of his visits to Oba Oyefusi when he invited him to speak on the crisis within the Muslim community, and secured his assurance that it would be resolved.
“After Baba asked me if there would ever be resolution to the crisis within the Muslim community, we assured him that it will end, Baba left his seat and was rolling on the floor in praises to God”, he recalled.
“After that, I asked him why he did that, he said it was because of the assurance that I gave him and that the only thing he was after then was to see God’s favour over His kingdom.
“He said that he was tired of interfering in the matter that he was always accused of supporting another party or trying to favour someone.
“We thank God that the matter has been resolved”.
Sheikh Olowo-Oribi commended the late king’s children for remembering their father and charged them to always participate in family and community activities.
His Eminence Shaykh Yahya Oshoala, Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, said that the greatest legacy that the late Ayangbure left behind are the children, and he charged them to continue to preserve his memories.
He described Oba Oyefusi as highly religious and God fearing man who laid good examples in life.
The cleric that delivered the muslim sermon, also emphasized the need for the late Oba Oyefusi’s children not to be far away from family and God.
At the special prayer sessions were other children of the monarch, including Prince Idowu Oyefusi, Prince Ganny Awobajo, publisher, Ikorodu New, Alhaji Monzor Olowoshago, publisher, Oriwu Sun as well as eminent personalities, traditional chiefs, residents and guests within and outside lkorodu.
