Protocols
Let me give glory to God Almighty who gave us all the grace to be here today. He only is worthy to be praised.
Frankly speaking, I do not know why the family considered me good enough to play this very huge role at this occasion. Yes, I was close to Papa, Prince E.A. Adebusuyi to an extent when he was alive, but do not consider myself as the most appropriate for this very iconic role. However, as I have been challenged to do so I will make some attempts. I was asked to choose a topic. After some consultation I find the topic of this Lecture to be appropriate for me to drum the beat of Prince E. A Adebusuyi’s exploit when he was in the vineyard of humanity.
Ecclesiasticus: The Book of Sirach 4:1-4 : 10-11
Let us now sing the praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations.The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning.
There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and made a name for themselves by their valour; those who gave counsel because they were intelligent; those who spoke in prophetic oracles;
Those who led the people by their counsels and by their knowledge of the people’s lore; they were wise in their words of instruction;
But these also were godly men, whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten;
Their wealth will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance with their children’s children.
The Topic: OSU-BIO-POLITICAL EMANCIPATION: LESSONS FROM PRINCE EZEKIEL ADETUNJI ADEBUSUYI’S EXPERIMENT
Celebrating Prince Ezekiel Adetunji Adebusuyi’s posthumous 100 years birthday is a story that two generations of our today will need to read and re-read to assist them to construct and re-contract their incursion into socio-political life of any community so dear to their heart. This perspective signposted the essence of the choice of the topic.
Prince Ezekiel Adetunji Adebusuyi arguable the most feasible individual of his ilk who spiritedly fought for Osu and defended her integrity even beyond the shores of Nigeria. Story has it that this man took Osu as number one in the chemistry of his application of fund and choice of gift. This was far away from his 20s through 70s. It is quite good to visualize Osu in the 50s to 60s and question the rationale of our sage’s reason to have placed Osu in the center space of his heart when generation of his ilk were finding it inconceivable why and how Osu should be in the center space of their calculation.
This perceptive philosophy underscores the assertion that Ola-Iya could not have had any compeer when it comes to the critical love for a habitat of monumental description in his generation. This was Osu in her crudest manner. When nothing of the current social amenities was in vogue. Yet he lived and subjected his family to accepting the fate of his place of birth.
How do we explain a person of our Mama Christiannah Adebusuyi who hailed from the source of civilization in Yorubaland, Ilu Egba, to come to an up country and a village-like existence like Osu with equanimity. That was an instance of Prince Ezekiel Ade Adebusuyi’s experiment in his true sense.
Prince E Ade Adebusuyi was a man of many facets – Leader, Teacher, Mentor, a politician, and a committed Methodist Christian. His main pursuits connected Osu and wellbeing of the sons and daughters of Osu.
Prince E Ade Adebusuyi in his mentorship capacity, leadership was delivered at the space of need, Prince Adebusuyi’s patience allowed people to learn their lessons in their own pace. As a mentor he promoted success through self-discipline. He carried out his leadership role in the community with devout humility and corporate in nature.
Facts revealed that there were instances when he used his personal resource to create a partway to steward community development and youth emancipation. He led from the heart without a need for fan-fare. In Osu community he demonstrated his visionary innate tendencies. He was widely travelled, met and lived with leaders both at the religious and temporal dimensions, He placed the experiences he had garnered in various travels he was exposed to in his action plans.
Prince E. Ade Adebusuyi was born on the 5th day of February 1925 to Pa George Bewaji Adebusuyi, a scion of the Ofokutu Royal lineage of the Bilaro-Oluodo Royal Dynasty of Ijesaland and Madam Alice Ekunkeyede Adebusuyi, nee Fatilewa of Osu, both of blessed memory. His father, Pa George Bewaji Adebusuyi died while Prince E. A. Adebusuyi was very young and the yolk of his educational training fell on his mother.
He started his primary school education at the Methodist School, Oke Oja, Osu in Atakumosa West Local Government of Osun State in the year 1932. There he was until the end of 1938 when Rev Albert Olusola Orekoya (1906-1976), who later became Methodist Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, took. him along to Odo Igbira (now Odo Aiyedun Ekiti) in Ifaki Diocese where he was transferred from Osu. This development made Prince E. Ade Adebusuyi to continue his Primary Education from standard five to six in 1939 to 1940 where he finished. From 1941, Prince E. A Adebusuyi began his working career as pupil teacher in Methodist Primary School, Ikole-Ekiti. After spending a little above a decade outside Osu leaving her mother, he was advised to come back home in 1942. He applied to the Rev R. N Ludlow, the Manager of Ilesa Circuit of the Methodist Church for appointment as a teacher.
The application succeeded and he was posted to work at Methodist School, Osogbo in January 1943.The desire of Prince E.A. Adebusuyi to further his education kept burning in him not minding the prestige and honour of being a teacher as at then. By 1943 he decided to take a very difficult route by seating for the entrance examination to only and the best Wesley College, Ibadan. This was an examination of high prestige as at then and only few usually scale the huddle. Due to his brilliance, Prince E.A. Adebusuyi passed the entrance examination at the first attempt. He was admitted to the Wesley College Ibadan in 1944. He completed the course with flying colors in 1947 in the Teachers’ Higher Elementary Certificate Examination of that year thus becoming a certificated trained Teacher.
In that era success in the Higher Elementary Teachers certificate was an achievement of no mean order. It was like becoming a PhD holder of today. The opportunity made it possible for him to be posted to any zone or region where Methodist Church Nigeria holds way.
Prince E.A. Adebusuyi was located to Abeokuta Circuit of Methodist Church Nigeria and was posted to Itesi Methodist School, Abeokuta. He taught in this school between 1948 and 1950, He was transferred to Imo Girls School, Abeokuta and Asero Modern School, Abeokuta respectively. At age 25, it became obvious that the need for an agelong partner was becoming necessary. Thus, on the 21st of December 1950, Prince E. A. Adebusuyi got married to the amiable Christianah Mosunmola Taiwo Adebusuyi (Nee Soluade) at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Ake, Abeokuta. His friend and classmate at Wesley College, Justice S.O Ajileye was the best man of the occasion. Glory be to God that the marriage was blessed with very assuring Children and Grand Children.
Prince E. A. Adebusuyi was transferred from Abeokuta few months after his marriage in 1950 to assume duty as headmaster of the United School, Aiyetoro, Egbado, a joint School of the Anglican and Methodist Churches, which he developed to standard 6 by 1952. In 1954, he was transferred back to Abeokuta to teach at the Methodist Secondary Modern School, Asero. He was in this school till 1955 when he was transferred to Ibadan to assume duties as supervisor of Schools for Ibadan Circuit. He resigned his appointment as supervisor of schools in May 1957 in a bid to further his education overseas.
It is on record that Prince E.A. Adebusuyi proceeded to England in July, 1957, for further studies the same year he built his first house, ‘Ola Iya Chambers’ in Osu. He returned to Nigeria in December 1963, having qualified as a Chartered Secretary of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators and Associate member of the National Institute of Credit Management.
Prince E. A Adebusuyi was very helpful to Nigerian students in United Kingdom especially in accommodating the few ones from Osu. On his return from England, he was among the foundation officers of the Agricultural Credit Corporation of the then Western Region of Nigeria.
Prince E. A. Adebusuyi returned to Nigeria when politics of the first Republic was going through a very turbulent time. The era of 1964 to 1965 was politically destabilizing. As a relatively young individual who was allowed by the politics of the time to play politics why still actively in civil service.
Prince E. A. Adebusuyi joined politics. He was appointed as the Chairman to the Ijesa South District Local Council. In the wee of 1965 political turmoil, he was in the center of event. With politics of deception and election rigging violence in the dimension never witnessed as at then erupted. The famous ‘operation wetie’ entered into the political vocabulary of the time. Osu had her share of the development, two people died while few were maimed during the intervention of the mobile police to quell the lingering crises in Ijesa Communities.
Going by the level of political development of the time during which Prince E.A Adebuyi was a leading gladiator, his political opponents went to town associating him with mobile police (popular called kill and go) intervention in the crisis. His socio-political adversaries wickedly used the incident to tarnish his political image for a long period of time. Post event review gave a verdict that was entirely at variance with the conclusion of his adversaries. The rest is history.
Despite the above tragic event, he triumphed. He continued his civil service job until retirement. While in service, record of his outstanding support to Osu sons and daughters remains a point of reference. He never ceased from strategic support to Osu sons and daughters that came across his path in the civil service.
WHAT OTHERS SAID ABOUT PRINCE E.A. ADEBUSUYI
In preparing this paper, I contacted few people for their opinions among whom are Elder Gbenga Ajetomobi, a retired Permanent Secretary and a close associate. Chief Victor Olusanya Olowe, a retired Banker and the Sapaye of Osu, Apostle Michael Idowu Ajilore. I acknowledge their contribution and I am very appreciative.
However, for the obvious roles he played while alive in supplying valid and undiluted fact of history to the upcoming generation, I could not but appreciate my late Dad, Pa Joseph Ogunjuyigbe, the second Baba-Ijo of Methodist Church Oke omi Osu. Prince E. A. Adebusuyi confessed to me that my Dad was the one used by God to ensure his house was not burnt in Osu during the 1965 political turmoil. My Dad spoke glowingly of Prince E. A Adebusuyi’s day’s in Osu. Possibly, if not for him, my closeness to Prince E. A. Adebusuyi might be impossible.
Trumpeting the speechless
Elder Isaac Olugbenga Ajetomobi
* That Chief E. A. Adebusuyi joined politics, in particular, NNDC, with a view to developing Osu and improve the lives of his people.
* As Chairman/Secretary, he facilitated Scholarships for many students in Ijesa South; now Atakunmosa East and West, in particular to about four
* Osu indigines, including Elder Gbenga Ajetomobi and Miss Rebecca Ola (later Mrs. Fadunsin). Late Col. G.A. Ajayi etc.
* Committed Methodist at Agbeni and Osu. A distinguished member of Wesley Group, which its president was Chief Peter Odumosu, (Head of Service Western Region).
* He used his position to employ a lot of Osu sons and daughters into the Civil Service. That he was a well-respected Administrator in his civil service career, as he carried himself about with dignity.
Chief Victor Olusanya Olowe
He had all round development as a teacher, who was trained at the Wesley College. He was an organist, Lay-Preacher and Community Leader.
(2) He advocated for and committed to Girls’ education in Osu. His encouragement produced (a) Mama Grace Adetunji (nee Olowe) who was trained as a teacher and Mrs. Elizabeth Odekunle (nee Olowe) who trained as a Nurse – among others.
(3) He was one of those who supervised the Establishment of Egbado Comprehensive High School, Ilaro.
(4) He was a role model. He built his first house in Osu in 1955 named ‘Ola-Iya Chambers.’ To him, London, Ibadan, Abeokuta etc was “oko iwaje”, while Osu is Home and he has a framed inscription in glass in his sitting room that read “Odidere kii ku s’oko iwaje”.
(5) He bought two organs from UK for both Methodist Churches Oke – Oja and Oke – Omi Osu respectively.
Apostle Michael Idowu Ajilore
(1) Father’s name, Pa George Bewaji Adebusuyi, who died when Pa Adebusuyi was a toddler. His mother was Madam Alice Ekunyede Omosinkini Adebusuyi Nee Fatilewa. The mother singlehandedly trained him.
(2) He was one of the initiators of building Osu Town Hall.
(3) Our people in Osu went to beg Pa Gbalaajamu Fatilewa, to encourage Chief Adebusuyi to enter into politics and contested for the Chairmanship of Ijesa South Divisional Council.
(D) The three of them agreed that his undoing was politics, particularly bringing Police, “Kill and Go” to Osu to kill his people.
(1) That he was a misunderstood leader.
(2) That petty jealousy and unforgiveness by his closest family members and his peers denied him the Lojaship of Osu.
(E) Contributions of Sir (Prince) Adegoke ‘Dire Arimoro and The Rt. Rev. Deji Okegbile are embedded in this paper.3.
THE SEVEN (7) CORES OF PRINCE E.A. ADEBUSUYI’S EXPERIMENT:
Foregoing had presented a perspective about Prince E. A. Adebusuyi’s birth, his working career and his foray in the political firmament. What is significant for his being celebrated in his centenarian birthday is to draw lessons from his strategy and tactics. This was figuratively considered his Experiment.
The following perspectives became revealing; First, among his contemporaries’ practical evidence shows that he was a lover of Osu to a fault. Using the eye of today may not give the correct appreciation of the wilderness of a sort where Prince E. A. Adebusuyi evolved and operated in his early days. For an individual of his status to develop the kind of interest he had in Osu community at the time his contemporaries were too jittery to participate actively in the socio-political development of Osu will throw clear light to the depth of the love he had for Osu community.
Name it, his interest and involvement permeated the core psyche of Osu. Be it Religious, Social, Infrastructure development and Politics. Not only this, he presented a good representation of Osu in the comity of Ijesa towns and cities, particularly in Ibadan and Lagos.
Second, a strong believer in the development of human resource. Prince E. A Adebusuyi touched legions of lives most of whom later increased the human resource capability of this nation. From Ikole Ekiti in 1941 to 1955 in Ibadan when he was the Supervisor of Education in Methodist Church Nigeria, the various towns and cities where he taught as a teacher and a school administrator.
He had contributed greatly to the growth and development of Nigeria’s human capacity building in a huge dimension. Small wonder that his network of connections and acquittances spread across the length and breadth of Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. With this he taught us that it is good to be good to all manners of people irrespective of their biological leanings.
Third, a courageous individual who believed that life is meaningful to the extent of the positive input you made into it. Throughout his life time, Prince E. A. Adebusuyi demonstrated courage, he taught courage and applied courage to navigate the undulating spheres of life. In 1970s, this writer and Sir Prince Adedire Arimoro were few of those that studied in the school of courage figuratively established by Prince E. A. Adebusuyi. He made us to know that there is nothing to fear, save, fear itself. This paid-off and we became the crops of his admirers and the vanguard of his socio-political gladiators of the next generation of leaders. He was a leader that knows how to apply leadership. Many supposed leaders, sought for power but do not know what to do with it. Prince E. A. Adebusuyi from practical examples, knows what to do if he has political power. He knew how to apply political power to create a positive legacy for generational references. Many had political power unfortunately, did not know what to do with it, hence, their legacies became eye-sores of a sort. We saw in Prince, E.A Adebusuyi a leader who knew how to use the instrument of leadership to better the lots of his people.
Fourth, Prince E. A. Adebusuyi believed strongly that at the opportune time when developing communities in Ijesaland and in Yorubaland began to agitate for reform in traditional leadership, those highly educated individuals with blue blood must stand up to be counted. This advocacy was loud and clear in the life of Prince E.A. Adebusuyi. Upon the death of Loja James Abimbola Adekanye in 1972, spirited search was mounted by Osu indigenes to search for an Osu-born Loja of Osu. The lots strongly fell on Prince E. A. Adebusuyi. Emissaries were sent to him in Ibadan. Much as he saw the need for a well-read Loja for Osu, then, he was still active in the Civil Service. As the filling of the vacancy cannot wait and one or two other Osu-born Princes were contacted but declaimed, the Osu-Elites of the time could not but succumbed to Ijesa tradition of a Prince of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland becoming a Loja of Osu. A collaborative effort of a sort brought up Loja Omolade Adeyokunu who was installed in 1973. A very fundamental issue arose here. It was an irony of history, that Prince E. A. Adebusuyi that was hotly sought for in 1972 by same Osu people became someone that various sorts of unproven allegation, particularly, of not being a Prince of Ijesland or that he was from Ekitiland etc was assembled to deny him of becoming the fourth Loja of Osu in 1989. There is a big lesson in this regard for upcoming Osu young gladiators. It was a conspiracy of the elites and his uneducated peers at home who were envious of him. The conspiracy was laced with a lot of lies, innuendos and blackmail. Such could be so strong to thwart the enduring aspiration of a whole community. It is today crystal clear that Osu is the looser for it.
Fifth, Prince E. A. Adebusuyi taught us that leading the educated elites in the vanguard of socio-political and economic development of their community has a great price. Because these are your kith and kins. They have old glories and animosities in your favour and against you. Yet, because of your leadership roles you have to do a lot of persuasions to be able to carry them along.
The outspoken leadership role of Prince E.A. Adebusuyi pitched him against and in friendship with many Osu elites. There were some who possibly like him for his boldness and courage, so also there were some who dislike him because of these same qualities. There were those who were jealous of his astuteness and sagacity. This category of individuals permeated all colors and strata of the society and community. Managing their tendencies could be traumatizing as it could be interesting. You have your blood relations pitching camp with those who did not like you, also those whom you have assisted suddenly turning around to become your detractors. This I consider the conspiracy of the elites and it could be difficult to handle, particularly, where there is deep-seated animosity. This circumstance affected the aspiration of Prince E. A. Adebusuyi in becoming the next Loja of Osu in 1989.
The elites in Osu have regrouped for the next round of socio-political development of the Town. Like it was today, wealthy personality in Chief Olatunde Ayoola who demonstrated deep love for Osu among the intelligent and influential children of our referred Pa Ayoola of Ilowo Quarters in Osu, became the doyen of the moment. As someone who had not involved in the past disaffections in Osu, he commanded many admirers. All Osu Intelligential were invited into the Osu Development Council (not OCDC) meeting that met for some years in Chief Joseph Obisesan’s House in Bolorunduro. Some Osu Intelligential felt this new movement had political undertones, hence, refused to join. Quite correct, as later events showed when partisan politics began. But frankly speaking, there is no way a community or Nation could develop without political involvement. It was in the midst of this development that our foremost Loja in the history of Osu, Loja Omolade Adeyokunu transited to eternity. The race for the new Loja became the central agenda of the Osu Development Council. It was at this time again that the usual search for Osu-born descendant of Owa Obokun Royal Family candidate was scouted for. In its altruistic concern, wanted a very good, competent and educated Loja who is a Prince of Owa Obokun, but born in Osu and had played very active role in the growth and development of Osu. The scout was tensed. But at same time Prince E. A. Adebusuyi who was not in the main stream of ODC activities at that time indicated intention as a candidate for Loja of Osu.
However, it was quite embarrassing, that his adversaries went to town again to rehearse the old gospel of hatred and animosity. At this time, he was considered not a Prince of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland despite the fact that his father was a scion of Owa Ofokutu of the Bilaro Oluodo Royal dynasty of Ijesaland. His great grandfather, Ofokutu, had the privilege to be the one that united Osu as a single community in the 1850. The contest was fierce and the ODC eventually found a Prince of Obara lineage of Bilagbayo Royal Dynasty of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in person of the current Olosu of Osu, Oba Jethro Adejola, Olosu of Osu. Many Ijesas and Osu indigens supported Prince E. A. Adebusuyi while almost all Osu elites of the time saw the battle as between what the elite wanted and otherwise. All pressures and lobbies were deployed to the extent that the two candidates were presented before His Royal Majesty Owa Aromolaran II, considering his relationship with Prince E. A. Adebusuyi and Chief Olatunde Ayoola who led the two camps, Owa Aromolaran opted for plebiscite. Open voting by lining-up behind the two candidates was adopted at the front of Obokungbusi Town Hall, Ilesa. This was alien to Ijesa traditions and culture, but as a doctrine of necessity to resolve a very intractable matter of the time, even though not necessarily a violation of any rule. Eventually, Loja Jethro Adejola had the highest vote and became the Loja of Osu in 1989.
Sixth, Prince E. A. Adebusuyi, strongly believed that the meaning of life has much to do with your living standard and the social values that go with it. This he demonstrated in his efforts towards facilitating social amenities to the town. Not that he did this personally but collaborated and encouraged his networks to consider Osu community a place of choice in socio-economic and political consideration. The building of Osu Town Hall, the location of Atakunmosa Local Government Headquarters, extension of pipe-borne water to Osu, electricity supply, Establishment of a standard Market center called Ayeyemi Market Square and the building of the first Loja’s Palace in the central spot of the community. He played very active roles in ensuring these facilities were brought to the fore in Osu Community when even older towns and villages in the then Atakunmosa Local Government did not have similar opportunity. He was always in the vanguard of those pressing the case of Osu both within and outside Nigeria.
Seventh, not many may remember that Prince E. A Adebusuyi employed Sport and Games activities to generate youthful development in Osu Community. One significant mission of his experiment is that he eschewed vindictiveness. This was aptly demonstrated in the late sixties. Despite the fact that he faced the greatest attack of his life in the political arena in 1965, he did not allow this to damping his enthusiasms. Most especially in ensuring Osu youths grew with spirit of sportsmanship. His strong belief that if you are down today you must not lose up as certainly you will rise tomorrow. This prism guided his determination to institute a competitive Giant Trophy (Cup) among the Primary schools in Osu and its environs. This trophy was competed for at the annual Empire day competition in 1967. In its debut, Methodist Primary School Oke Omi, Osu during the Headmastership of Mr. J. A. Olusesi, won the cup. He did not relent here, he also donated another Trophy for the secondary school wing in 1973 at Atakunmosa High School Osu for Inter house sporting Competition. The Adebusuyi Sport & Games Trophy fired the enthusiasm and sporting interest of both Primary and Secondary schools in Osu.
CONCLUSION
This lecture has discussed the person and biography, the view of other eminent personalities, some of who were eye witnesses of events, and the experience of Prince E.A. Adebusuyi.
Ladies and gentlemen, the celebration of Prince E. A. Adebusuyi today is not to wipe-up old animosities but to espouse what he had done while in this terrestrial side of the plane. If alive today, he will be celebrating his 100 years of birthday today. Yes, he is no more but the impressions he has made are much living after him. The lesson for the Osu community is huge. We have seen the negative impact of fact distortion. We have seen how gullibility could mislead a whole community from choosing a choice. We have also listened to the effect of petty jealousy, conspiracy and gang-up in redefining the future of a community from positive to negative. I stand to be corrected, if Prince E. A. Adebusuyi were to be the Loja of Osu in 1989, the historical trajectory of Osu could have been positively impacted than it is today.
I appreciate you for listening.
SIR (BARR) EZEKIEL FOLORUSO OGUNJUYIGBE (THE OTUN BABA-IJO, METHODIST CHURCH, OKE OMI OSU) WEDNESDAY, 5TH FEBRUARY 2025, AT IBADAN, OYO STATE.
(Detailing the person, biography, view of eye witnesses of events and the experience of Prince E.A. Adebusuyi)
For More Information, News Update, and Discussions Join KAKAKIOODUA Online Telegram Group With the Link Below:
No comments:
Post a Comment