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| Chief Bosede Ajayi in his 30s |
This moving sermon in the form of a
paper was delivered in Orin Ekiti on
Friday August 7, 2015 during the Service of Songs and Wake Keep Service of late
Author, Teacher and Pillar of Catholic Church in Orin Ekiti in Ekiti North
Local Government Area of Ekiti State-South West Nigeria, late Chief John Bosede Ajayi. Chief John Bosede Ajayi is the father
of business woman extra-ordinary and wife of former Minister of Police Affairs,
General David Jemibewon; Madam Dupe Jemibewon.
paper was delivered in Orin Ekiti on
Friday August 7, 2015 during the Service of Songs and Wake Keep Service of late
Author, Teacher and Pillar of Catholic Church in Orin Ekiti in Ekiti North
Local Government Area of Ekiti State-South West Nigeria, late Chief John Bosede Ajayi. Chief John Bosede Ajayi is the father
of business woman extra-ordinary and wife of former Minister of Police Affairs,
General David Jemibewon; Madam Dupe Jemibewon.
Asabeafrika got the exclusive right from the Father
Pater Assumpta Ajayi (Ph-D) to publish the text for global knowledge of Orin Ekiti and the role of the deceased
in her development. Enjoy!
Pater Assumpta Ajayi (Ph-D) to publish the text for global knowledge of Orin Ekiti and the role of the deceased
in her development. Enjoy!
“Psalm 90: 10 – “Adorin ni ojo ori eda, ogorin fun alagbara, Baba (J.B. Ajayi) reached the Biblical Age of 70, he was 80
and now 85. Alagbara ni Baba” (Baba
was a superman).
and now 85. Alagbara ni Baba” (Baba
was a superman).
“I have come
not to praise Caesar but to bury him, the evil that men do live after them,” the
good that men do also live after them. The good that Baba John Abosede Ajayi did is already living after him. John Abosede Ajayi was a controversial
person.
not to praise Caesar but to bury him, the evil that men do live after them,” the
good that men do also live after them. The good that Baba John Abosede Ajayi did is already living after him. John Abosede Ajayi was a controversial
person.
I am happy it
is now between him and God.
is now between him and God.
My late
mother Chief Mrs. Esther Omoyemi Ajayi;
Late Mons; Anthony Ogunleye Oguntuyi and Baba J.B. Ajayi had premonitions about their deaths. Baba J.B Ajayi told me in 2013 that he
would die in 2015 and here we are–he is dead.
mother Chief Mrs. Esther Omoyemi Ajayi;
Late Mons; Anthony Ogunleye Oguntuyi and Baba J.B. Ajayi had premonitions about their deaths. Baba J.B Ajayi told me in 2013 that he
would die in 2015 and here we are–he is dead.
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| Ex-Minister of External Affairs, Tunde Adewale with Ex-Minister of Police Affairs David Jemibewon listening to Rev. Father Assumpta’s Message |
How Baba predicted his own death
Three months
before he died, he said to every one around
him: “father Assumpta must be at my burial” I am here therefore
today to honour you Baba. Chief J.B Ajayi
may God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit and may all the Saints
and Angels of heaven honour you Amen.
before he died, he said to every one around
him: “father Assumpta must be at my burial” I am here therefore
today to honour you Baba. Chief J.B Ajayi
may God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit and may all the Saints
and Angels of heaven honour you Amen.
“Let us call
a “Spade a Spade” there is no unity and love among the king (Olorin) and the
people of Orin: there is no unity
between the people of Orin. There is
no unity among the quarters (Streets) of
Orin. There is no unity; and love among the people of Orin themselves”
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| Members of laity of St. John Catholic Church, Orin Ekiti exchanging notes before Father Assumpta’s arrival |
The University of Life
Life is but
a school, a college or a university if you like. Chief John Bosede Ajayi passed with distinctions in all the school he
went to in life. In politics Baba Egbe
of Saint John’s, Orin
Ekiti passed with a distinction. In
family life, Osi Balogun, Ikolaba, Ibadan, passed with a distinction. In human relations, Adeyelu of Usi – Ekiti passed with a distinction.
a school, a college or a university if you like. Chief John Bosede Ajayi passed with distinctions in all the school he
went to in life. In politics Baba Egbe
of Saint John’s, Orin
Ekiti passed with a distinction. In
family life, Osi Balogun, Ikolaba, Ibadan, passed with a distinction. In human relations, Adeyelu of Usi – Ekiti passed with a distinction.
As a father
of his children, Baba passed with a distinction; as a seasoned Christian
Catholic, Baba passed with a distinction. Baba
J.B Ajayi is saying to everybody here today: “weep not for me weep for yourselves, what you are now I was, what
I am now you will soon be”. I, John
Bosede Ajayi,I am already being
poured out like a libation and the
time of my departure has come, I have competed. I have finished the race I have
kept the faith. From now on the crown
of righteousness awaits me” 11
Timothy 4: 6 – 8.
of his children, Baba passed with a distinction; as a seasoned Christian
Catholic, Baba passed with a distinction. Baba
J.B Ajayi is saying to everybody here today: “weep not for me weep for yourselves, what you are now I was, what
I am now you will soon be”. I, John
Bosede Ajayi,I am already being
poured out like a libation and the
time of my departure has come, I have competed. I have finished the race I have
kept the faith. From now on the crown
of righteousness awaits me” 11
Timothy 4: 6 – 8.
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| Mrs. Modupe Jemibewon & Her Siblings during the Wake Keep Service |
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| Baba’s First Child, Mrs. Modupe Jemibewon |
What Baba stood for while alive?
John Abosede Ajayi stood for love, unity, peace and
harmony in his lifetime.
harmony in his lifetime.
You that you
are still alive what do you stand for? Or do you stand for hatred, malice, rumors,
gossip, injustices and what have you?
are still alive what do you stand for? Or do you stand for hatred, malice, rumors,
gossip, injustices and what have you?
“When wealth
is lost, nothing is lost, when health is lost something lost, but when
character is lost everything is lost”
is lost, nothing is lost, when health is lost something lost, but when
character is lost everything is lost”
The children of J.B Ajayi
i.
Chief (Mrs.) Agnes
Modupe Jemibewon
Chief (Mrs.) Agnes
Modupe Jemibewon
ii.
Dr. Dayo Ajayi
Dr. Dayo Ajayi
iii.
Dr. Tunde Ajayi
Dr. Tunde Ajayi
iv.
Dr. ((Mrs.) Ajoke Akintade
Dr. ((Mrs.) Ajoke Akintade
v.
Barrister Abimbola Bankole Ajayi
Barrister Abimbola Bankole Ajayi
vi.
Pharmacist (Mrs.) Funmilayo Jegede
Pharmacist (Mrs.) Funmilayo Jegede
Definition: Unity is a state of being united,
Living together in harmony.
Living together in harmony.
National
unity is essential in time of war (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of
Current English, 1980).
unity is essential in time of war (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of
Current English, 1980).
Christ has
come to restore the world to unity, a single human family. We are family of
God, Christians, Muslims, traditionalists or FREE THINKERS if there are such
people among us here. It is the same blood that flows through our veins that
flowed through the blood of Jesus 2,015
years ago. This is good news! Jesus
Christ came to save every people including the people of Orin-Ekiti and every individual human
being. He came to meet every person on the cultural path inherited from the
ancestors. It is clear from the Bible,
Quran and Odu-ifa that all human being are one.
come to restore the world to unity, a single human family. We are family of
God, Christians, Muslims, traditionalists or FREE THINKERS if there are such
people among us here. It is the same blood that flows through our veins that
flowed through the blood of Jesus 2,015
years ago. This is good news! Jesus
Christ came to save every people including the people of Orin-Ekiti and every individual human
being. He came to meet every person on the cultural path inherited from the
ancestors. It is clear from the Bible,
Quran and Odu-ifa that all human being are one.
Without any
doubt, all the people in this world originated from the same source-God (Gen.
1. 27, Quran 35:1, Oju Odu Ifa
Mererindinlogun, Abimbola,
1977).
doubt, all the people in this world originated from the same source-God (Gen.
1. 27, Quran 35:1, Oju Odu Ifa
Mererindinlogun, Abimbola,
1977).
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| Chief (Mrs.) Dupe Jemibewon with Uncles |
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| Professor Tunde Adewale & General David Jemibewon at Baba JB Ajayi’s Wake Keep |
HISTORY OF THE YORUBA PEOPLE
Idowu (1962, p. 11), opined that: “the
first creature here below, the original home of all things, the place from
which the day dawns, the enchanted holy city; the home of divinities and
mysterious spirits”.
first creature here below, the original home of all things, the place from
which the day dawns, the enchanted holy city; the home of divinities and
mysterious spirits”.
The above
statement of Idowu is a
demonstration to us that Yoruba people
regard the city of Ile-ife as their
traditional cradle and shrine. Ile-Ife
used to be the sacred loadstone, which filled the Yoruba everywhere with a deep
yeaning for pilgrimage.
statement of Idowu is a
demonstration to us that Yoruba people
regard the city of Ile-ife as their
traditional cradle and shrine. Ile-Ife
used to be the sacred loadstone, which filled the Yoruba everywhere with a deep
yeaning for pilgrimage.
It was a city of manifold mysteries: the grove
of OLOFEFURE– a divinity reputed for
the habit of hailing and welcoming visitors, even from a distance with laughter,
and joy as one would do to a friend.
of OLOFEFURE– a divinity reputed for
the habit of hailing and welcoming visitors, even from a distance with laughter,
and joy as one would do to a friend.
The shrine
of the “MOON” – a slab-like stone through which one could see shades of the
departed among whom one was sure to recognize a deceased relation; the OPA
ORANMIYAN (the staff of the Divinity) – which was a war staff planted at the
entrance to Oranmiyan’s grove when
he vowed never to come out again in the visible form to champion the cause of
men on earth (Ajiboye, 1980). All these demonstrate the unity of the Yoruba
people.
of the “MOON” – a slab-like stone through which one could see shades of the
departed among whom one was sure to recognize a deceased relation; the OPA
ORANMIYAN (the staff of the Divinity) – which was a war staff planted at the
entrance to Oranmiyan’s grove when
he vowed never to come out again in the visible form to champion the cause of
men on earth (Ajiboye, 1980). All these demonstrate the unity of the Yoruba
people.
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| Rev Father Peter Assumpta Ajayi (Ph-D) with other clergies during Baba JB Ajayi’s Wake Keep Service @ Orin Ekiti |
HISTORY OF ORIN PEOPLE
As it is
with all the Yoruba people, the people of Orin
also migrated from Ile-Ife. All the
sons and daughters of ODUDUWA– the king
settled in Orin; hence, it is called
the house of APELUA. There must be
UNITY among the so many sons and daughters of ODUDUWA to be able to settle in Orin.
with all the Yoruba people, the people of Orin
also migrated from Ile-Ife. All the
sons and daughters of ODUDUWA– the king
settled in Orin; hence, it is called
the house of APELUA. There must be
UNITY among the so many sons and daughters of ODUDUWA to be able to settle in Orin.
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| Rev. Father (Dr.) Peter Assumpta Ajayi (Ph-D) |
NEED FOR UNITY IN ORIN – EKITI- THE
HOME OF APELUA
HOME OF APELUA
God is the
source of our creation, and God is unity HIMSELF, hence the creatures of God
including the people of Orin cannot
run away from UNITY, if they do, it is like running away from your SHADOWS. If
God is UNITY HIMSELF, human beings have no reasons not to be united.
source of our creation, and God is unity HIMSELF, hence the creatures of God
including the people of Orin cannot
run away from UNITY, if they do, it is like running away from your SHADOWS. If
God is UNITY HIMSELF, human beings have no reasons not to be united.
APELUA and the ANCESTORS of Orin (THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS)
The founders
of this town called- ORIN- will be
turning in their graves and cursing you; if they find you wanting in unity
yourselves, hence DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS may be eluding you.
of this town called- ORIN- will be
turning in their graves and cursing you; if they find you wanting in unity
yourselves, hence DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS may be eluding you.
THE OLORIN OF ORIN-AJALAYE OMO
ODUDUWA- AS A RALLYING POINT OF UNITY
ODUDUWA- AS A RALLYING POINT OF UNITY
The OLORIN of Orin as a representative of
the ORIN’s ancestors has always been a rallying point of UNITY, if anybody
disrespects him; he or she disrespect the ancestors of Orin and therefore forfeits the unity therein. Do we disrespect the
OLORIN?
the ORIN’s ancestors has always been a rallying point of UNITY, if anybody
disrespects him; he or she disrespect the ancestors of Orin and therefore forfeits the unity therein. Do we disrespect the
OLORIN?
If YES! You are playing with the DEVELOPMENT
AND PROGRESS of this TOWN of APELUA.
AND PROGRESS of this TOWN of APELUA.
In Exodus Chapter 35 verse 33-35, we read as follows:
“But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak
With Him, he took the veil off,
until he came out,
until he came out,
And spoke unto the children of Israel that which
He was commanded. And the children
of Israel
of Israel
Saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses
Face shone; and Moses put the veil unto his
Face again, until he went in to
speak with him (God).
speak with him (God).
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| Some grand children with Captain Mother Jokotade Oni |
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| Baba JB Ajayi’s grand daugther, Temidayo Omolola Jemibewon |
In Yoruba
land, high-ranking kings (OBAS) like the OLORIN of ORIN believe to be the
“SONS” of ODUDUWA veiled their faces when coming out of their ancient places.
land, high-ranking kings (OBAS) like the OLORIN of ORIN believe to be the
“SONS” of ODUDUWA veiled their faces when coming out of their ancient places.
This is
similar to Moses. In spiritual
parlance, Moses was a Yahweh much as the TOP YORUBA OBAS like
the OLORIN OF ORIN were and ought to be initiates of ODUDUWA. Two other
principal initiative of Yehweh in
Hebrew mythology is Prophet ELIJAH
and our LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.
This was very much illustrated and exemplified in the RITUAL OF TRANSFIGURATION
on MOUNT Tabor in Israel of old.
similar to Moses. In spiritual
parlance, Moses was a Yahweh much as the TOP YORUBA OBAS like
the OLORIN OF ORIN were and ought to be initiates of ODUDUWA. Two other
principal initiative of Yehweh in
Hebrew mythology is Prophet ELIJAH
and our LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.
This was very much illustrated and exemplified in the RITUAL OF TRANSFIGURATION
on MOUNT Tabor in Israel of old.
Idowu (1962) explained this mystery as
follows:
follows:
“It is an
observable fact that it is not custom of Yoruba’s to treat “familiarity” with
their kings. In the olden days, unless a person belonged to the highest rank in
the community, he might never have a slightest chance of seeing the king
throughout his or her life time; for example, the Ooni of Ile-Ife, in consequence of his status, used to be held in
so much reverence that it was almost impossible for any, except the very few
who were privileged to behold his face or the gate of his palace. It is often
said of Alaafin of Oyo:
observable fact that it is not custom of Yoruba’s to treat “familiarity” with
their kings. In the olden days, unless a person belonged to the highest rank in
the community, he might never have a slightest chance of seeing the king
throughout his or her life time; for example, the Ooni of Ile-Ife, in consequence of his status, used to be held in
so much reverence that it was almost impossible for any, except the very few
who were privileged to behold his face or the gate of his palace. It is often
said of Alaafin of Oyo:
“IRO LANGBO,
OJU O TA ALAAFIN”-
OJU O TA ALAAFIN”-
“WE HEAR
ONLY REPORTS, EYES DO NOT SEE THE ALAAFIN”. ( Omoleye 2005) opined that there
is a line of mystical contact that brings the overshadowing spirit of ODUDUWA
into the lives of distinguished (Obas) like the Olorin of Orin in Yoruba land once initiated into the kingship
mystery.
ONLY REPORTS, EYES DO NOT SEE THE ALAAFIN”. ( Omoleye 2005) opined that there
is a line of mystical contact that brings the overshadowing spirit of ODUDUWA
into the lives of distinguished (Obas) like the Olorin of Orin in Yoruba land once initiated into the kingship
mystery.
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| Baba’s younger brothers, Afolabi, Dele and Eniola |
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| Some of Late Baba J.B. Ajayi’s brothers at the funeral |
WHY ORIN EKITI MUST UNITE
Let us call
a “Spade a Spade” there is no unity and love among the king (Olorin) and the
people of Orin: there is no unity
between the people of Orin.
a “Spade a Spade” there is no unity and love among the king (Olorin) and the
people of Orin: there is no unity
between the people of Orin.
There is no unity
among the quarters (Streets) of Orin.
There is no unity; and love among the people of Orin themselves; is there any unity and love between the Olorin and his chiefs? Is there any
unity between the chiefs themselves?
among the quarters (Streets) of Orin.
There is no unity; and love among the people of Orin themselves; is there any unity and love between the Olorin and his chiefs? Is there any
unity between the chiefs themselves?
If these
questions begging for answers cannot be answered by all sons and daughters of Orin adequately well, the future at
best is very blinking and cloudy. Therefore, unity, progress, peace, and
development will certainly elude all the various facets of Orin, morally, psychologically, religiously and above all
fundamentally.
questions begging for answers cannot be answered by all sons and daughters of Orin adequately well, the future at
best is very blinking and cloudy. Therefore, unity, progress, peace, and
development will certainly elude all the various facets of Orin, morally, psychologically, religiously and above all
fundamentally.
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| Baba JB Ajayi’s Condolence Register |
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| Reverend Father Peter Assumpta Ajayi (Ph-D) with other clergy during the Service of Songs |
SOLUTIONS TO LACK OF UNITY IN ORIN
EKITI
EKITI
1. All the people or stakeholders of Orin must respect, honour and worship
the Almighty God.
the Almighty God.
2. The shrines and temples of idols
should be destroyed immediately.
should be destroyed immediately.
3. Respect also, must be given to the Olorin when you eventually have one.
4. Youth of Orin must be ready to be educated, for knowledge is power and be
ready to accord the king and their elders the much they deserve so that they
can receive respect from their young ones’ too eventually.
ready to accord the king and their elders the much they deserve so that they
can receive respect from their young ones’ too eventually.
5. Parent must be ready to educate their
children to the highest level, not that someone will have NCE certificate and
think he/she has arrived for “Half education” is very dangerous and deadly like
cancer.
children to the highest level, not that someone will have NCE certificate and
think he/she has arrived for “Half education” is very dangerous and deadly like
cancer.
6. The people of Orin must be ready to forgive and forget the bad and the hateful
hurts of the past and forge ahead for the greater tomorrow.
hurts of the past and forge ahead for the greater tomorrow.
7. Orin people
both home and abroad must be ready to work in love, peace and harmony to move
the town forward to greater heights.
both home and abroad must be ready to work in love, peace and harmony to move
the town forward to greater heights.
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| Choir of St. John Catholic Church, Orin Ekiti |
REFERENCES
Abimbola, W. (1977) Awon Oju Odu Mereerindinlogun- Ibadan:
oxford University Press.
oxford University Press.
Ajiboye, F.(1980) Yoruba Culture and the Christian Doctrine
of Marriage, Rome: Piazzale Numba Pompilio.
of Marriage, Rome: Piazzale Numba Pompilio.
Hornby et al (1980). Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary of
Current English London- Oxford University Press.
Current English London- Oxford University Press.
Idowu, B (1962). Olodumare, God in Yoruba belief. London University
Press Omoleye, M.(2005). Who is Oduduwa? Omoleye Publishing Company Ltd.
Press Omoleye, M.(2005). Who is Oduduwa? Omoleye Publishing Company Ltd.
A Paper
delivered at the Service of Songs & Wake Keep of Chief John Bosede Ajayi by
Reverend Father Peter Assumpta Ajayi (Ph-d) on august 7th, 2015
at Orin Ekiti
delivered at the Service of Songs & Wake Keep of Chief John Bosede Ajayi by
Reverend Father Peter Assumpta Ajayi (Ph-d) on august 7th, 2015
at Orin Ekiti
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| Baba J.B. Ajayi’s House in Orin-Ekiti where the Wake Keep held on Friday 7th of August, 2015 |
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| (R) Mrs Nneka Ijaola of La Base Fashion with friends listening to Father Assumpta’s Message |