THE BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF OUR BELOVED FATHER AND GRANDFATHER CHIEF PA. MICHAEL AFOLABI AJIBOYE (JP)
September 11, 2023
Chief Michael Afolabi Adebisi Oyeniyi Alabi Ajiboye was born on the 18th of June 1939 into the family of Late Pa Aiiboye Ajide and Late Madam Folawe Ayoka Ajiboye at Onibedo's Compound, Ita Iperin, Ila Orangun. He had a very sad childhood experience; his mother died when he was in Standard Six in the year 1954. Five years after his mom's demise, his father also died, leaving the young Michael to face life's challenges alone. From this time, his paternal uncle, Late Pa Gabriel Arinla Omotohunlola, and paternal aunt, Late Madam Omowumi Abike, took care of him from where his parents stopped.
EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER BACKGROUND
When the Government authority requested citizens to compulsorily register their wards (donation of wards) in school, Dad's uncle, Late Pa Omotohunlola, enrolled him at Baptist Day School, Ila Orangun, for his early education in 1946. He proceeded to St. Matthews Anglican School, Ila Orangun, during the Western Region, for standard six educational training and bagged his Primary School leaving Certificate in 1955.
Between 1955 and 1956, Dad was employed as a Shop Clerk at Station Road, Osogbo, earning a salary of Two Pounds (£2) monthly, an equivalent of Four Naira (#4). From 1956 to 1957, he learnt the art of designing, glass cutting, and painting under an Ijebu Master, Sholarin and Sons, at Orita Merin, Ibadan. From 1958- 1959, he established his own business at No. 57 Iremo Road, Ile Ife, known as "Micho Designer and Glass Cutter." He continued the art of designing and glass cutting till his appointment into teaching service.
In 1962, Chief Michael Afolabi JP received his first teaching appointment. He began his teaching career at Baptist Day School, Oke-Ila. His passion for teaching made him further his education teaching career. He studied at Divisional Teacher Training College, Ile Ife, and Muslim Teacher Training College, Ijebu Oru, between 1964 and 1966. As an experienced teacher, Dad imparted moral and academic excellence to the lives of the pupils and students who passed through him. Pupils nicknamed him 'Ajisefinni' because of his neatness and corporate dressings. His students referred to him now as 'Teacher of teachers'.
While in the teaching service, Dad served as Secretary N.U.T Ila Branch between 1971 and 1974 and Secretary of the Ila Community Development Association from 1979 to 1982. As class teacher, subject master, and headmaster, Chief M. A. Ajiboye, JP served between 1962 to 1984 in the following schools:- Baptist Day School, Oke lla; A.U.D, Ayeye, Ila Orangun; A.U.D Okeola, Ila Orangun; A.U.D Ora Road, Ila Orangun; St Matthews Anglican School, Ila Orangun; L. A School, Ede; St Peters Modern School, Oyan; St Peters Modern School, Idi-Olo, Ikirun; Commercial Grammar School, Ora; Ila Grammar School, Ila Orangun; and Ajagunla Grammar School, Ila Orangun.
Dad's pursuit of progression made him further his study. He passed G.C.E (O'Level) of the University of London by correspondence and later attended the University of Ife, Ile Ife. He transferred his service from teaching to civil service in the year 1984. He joined the Inspectorate Services Division of the Ministry of Education, Oyo State, as a Higher Asst. Inspector of Education. Before he retired in December 1996, he attended various seminars and workshops. He got these promotions:- Senior Asst. Inspector of Education, Principal II Asst. Inspector of Education, Principal I Asst. Inspector of Education and Chief Asst. Inspector of Education. As Inspector of Schools, he worked in the following offices: Local Education Office, Ila Orangun, Local Education Office, Oke Ila, and Zonal Education Office, Ikirun. In December 1996, Dad retired meritoriously from the active civil service after serving dedicatedly for 35 years.
CHRISTIAN LIFE AND OTHER LIFE'S EXPERIENCE
Chief Pa Michael Afolabi Ajiboye JP served the Lord during his lifetime. He served faithfully and committedly as a Baptized member of First Baptist Church, Oke-Ejigbo, Ila-Orangun. He was a member of the Iranlowo Society of the Church. He had served as Financial Secretary of the Church and was a Church in Council (E.C.) member for years. As an Executive member of the Church, he served at different levels for different assignments. Dad had a sound mind, sang many hymns off-hand, and was always with facts and figures when involved in any presentation.
Dad later worshipped at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Iperin Area, Ila-Orangun (one of the Baby Churches of First Baptist Church, Ila Orangun). While at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dad played his role to ensure the Church grew. He worked in the Finance unit and served as a member of the Church in Council at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Though highly principled, Dad would always do his bit to encourage the youths in the Church and donate his resources as God gave him the enablement.
Dad had a serious illness between 1993 and 1994 that almost claimed his life. His profound gratitude to God and Dr. P. F. Olaolu of Oduduwa Hospital, Ile Ife, whom God used to save his life. Having survived illness and unpalatable situations in life, the Lord opened a new Chapter of life for him. In 1995, he was appointed a Justice of Peace of Osun State of Nigeria. From 1998 to 1999, the Osun State Military Governor appointed him as a Member of the Ila Local Government Caretaker Committee as a Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Natural Resources. In 2003, he was installed Chief Akogun of Araromi, Ila Orangun, by the Orangun of Ila.
Dad was an Investor; he was the Chief Executive Officer of Michael Afolabi Ajiboye Enterprises Nig. Ltd. Until his demise, he was a patron of Pathfinder Microfinance Bank and served as a member of the Loan and Credit Committee and the Audit Committee of Shareholders of the Bank. Dad served as a member of the Board of Trustees of many Bodies and Associations to the glory of God.
MARITAL LIFE AND DAD'S PASSING MOMENT
Chief Michael Afolabi Ajiboye JP, married with good wives and blessed with God-fearing children. Dad loved his family dearly and equally. Until his demise on Wednesday, the 16th of August, 2023, Dad led his family in devotion. A few hours before his departure, God gave him the privilege to rededicate and reunite with Him. The family prayed and sang hymns with him. Dad was also privileged to speak with some of his children in the diaspora. Dad peacefully slept a few hours later in the hand of the lastborn, Oluwatoyin Eniolabanke Oyedotun (Nee Ajiboye). The family will forever be grateful to the Almighty God for the grace and mercy God extended to him to find Christ before death.
His wives, Madam Victoria Bolanle Ajiboye and Madam Simbiat Nike Ajiboye; the Children, Olayinka, Oladele, Oladunni, Olanike, Modupeola, Olajumoke, and Oluwatoyin; Sons and Daughters-in-law, and Grandchildren are his survivors to the praise and glory of the Almighty God.
We love you, Dad. Sleep on, on the bosom of the Saviour.
Adieu!
Chief Michael Afolabi Adebisi Oyeniyi Alabi Ajiboye (JP)
EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER BACKGROUND
When the Government authority requested citizens to compulsorily register their wards (donation of wards) in school, Dad's uncle, Late Pa Omotohunlola, enrolled him at Baptist Day School, Ila Orangun, for his early education in 1946. He proceeded to St. Matthews Anglican School, Ila Orangun, during the Western Region, for standard six educational training and bagged his Primary School leaving Certificate in 1955.
Between 1955 and 1956, Dad was employed as a Shop Clerk at Station Road, Osogbo, earning a salary of Two Pounds (£2) monthly, an equivalent of Four Naira (#4). From 1956 to 1957, he learnt the art of designing, glass cutting, and painting under an Ijebu Master, Sholarin and Sons, at Orita Merin, Ibadan. From 1958- 1959, he established his own business at No. 57 Iremo Road, Ile Ife, known as "Micho Designer and Glass Cutter." He continued the art of designing and glass cutting till his appointment into teaching service.
In 1962, Chief Michael Afolabi JP received his first teaching appointment. He began his teaching career at Baptist Day School, Oke-Ila. His passion for teaching made him further his education teaching career. He studied at Divisional Teacher Training College, Ile Ife, and Muslim Teacher Training College, Ijebu Oru, between 1964 and 1966. As an experienced teacher, Dad imparted moral and academic excellence to the lives of the pupils and students who passed through him. Pupils nicknamed him 'Ajisefinni' because of his neatness and corporate dressings. His students referred to him now as 'Teacher of teachers'.
While in the teaching service, Dad served as Secretary N.U.T Ila Branch between 1971 and 1974 and Secretary of the Ila Community Development Association from 1979 to 1982. As class teacher, subject master, and headmaster, Chief M. A. Ajiboye, JP served between 1962 to 1984 in the following schools:- Baptist Day School, Oke lla; A.U.D, Ayeye, Ila Orangun; A.U.D Okeola, Ila Orangun; A.U.D Ora Road, Ila Orangun; St Matthews Anglican School, Ila Orangun; L. A School, Ede; St Peters Modern School, Oyan; St Peters Modern School, Idi-Olo, Ikirun; Commercial Grammar School, Ora; Ila Grammar School, Ila Orangun; and Ajagunla Grammar School, Ila Orangun.
Dad's pursuit of progression made him further his study. He passed G.C.E (O'Level) of the University of London by correspondence and later attended the University of Ife, Ile Ife. He transferred his service from teaching to civil service in the year 1984. He joined the Inspectorate Services Division of the Ministry of Education, Oyo State, as a Higher Asst. Inspector of Education. Before he retired in December 1996, he attended various seminars and workshops. He got these promotions:- Senior Asst. Inspector of Education, Principal II Asst. Inspector of Education, Principal I Asst. Inspector of Education and Chief Asst. Inspector of Education. As Inspector of Schools, he worked in the following offices: Local Education Office, Ila Orangun, Local Education Office, Oke Ila, and Zonal Education Office, Ikirun. In December 1996, Dad retired meritoriously from the active civil service after serving dedicatedly for 35 years.
CHRISTIAN LIFE AND OTHER LIFE'S EXPERIENCE
Chief Pa Michael Afolabi Ajiboye JP served the Lord during his lifetime. He served faithfully and committedly as a Baptized member of First Baptist Church, Oke-Ejigbo, Ila-Orangun. He was a member of the Iranlowo Society of the Church. He had served as Financial Secretary of the Church and was a Church in Council (E.C.) member for years. As an Executive member of the Church, he served at different levels for different assignments. Dad had a sound mind, sang many hymns off-hand, and was always with facts and figures when involved in any presentation.
Dad later worshipped at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Iperin Area, Ila-Orangun (one of the Baby Churches of First Baptist Church, Ila Orangun). While at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dad played his role to ensure the Church grew. He worked in the Finance unit and served as a member of the Church in Council at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Though highly principled, Dad would always do his bit to encourage the youths in the Church and donate his resources as God gave him the enablement.
Dad had a serious illness between 1993 and 1994 that almost claimed his life. His profound gratitude to God and Dr. P. F. Olaolu of Oduduwa Hospital, Ile Ife, whom God used to save his life. Having survived illness and unpalatable situations in life, the Lord opened a new Chapter of life for him. In 1995, he was appointed a Justice of Peace of Osun State of Nigeria. From 1998 to 1999, the Osun State Military Governor appointed him as a Member of the Ila Local Government Caretaker Committee as a Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Natural Resources. In 2003, he was installed Chief Akogun of Araromi, Ila Orangun, by the Orangun of Ila.
Dad was an Investor; he was the Chief Executive Officer of Michael Afolabi Ajiboye Enterprises Nig. Ltd. Until his demise, he was a patron of Pathfinder Microfinance Bank and served as a member of the Loan and Credit Committee and the Audit Committee of Shareholders of the Bank. Dad served as a member of the Board of Trustees of many Bodies and Associations to the glory of God.
MARITAL LIFE AND DAD'S PASSING MOMENT
Chief Michael Afolabi Ajiboye JP, married with good wives and blessed with God-fearing children. Dad loved his family dearly and equally. Until his demise on Wednesday, the 16th of August, 2023, Dad led his family in devotion. A few hours before his departure, God gave him the privilege to rededicate and reunite with Him. The family prayed and sang hymns with him. Dad was also privileged to speak with some of his children in the diaspora. Dad peacefully slept a few hours later in the hand of the lastborn, Oluwatoyin Eniolabanke Oyedotun (Nee Ajiboye). The family will forever be grateful to the Almighty God for the grace and mercy God extended to him to find Christ before death.
His wives, Madam Victoria Bolanle Ajiboye and Madam Simbiat Nike Ajiboye; the Children, Olayinka, Oladele, Oladunni, Olanike, Modupeola, Olajumoke, and Oluwatoyin; Sons and Daughters-in-law, and Grandchildren are his survivors to the praise and glory of the Almighty God.
We love you, Dad. Sleep on, on the bosom of the Saviour.
Adieu!
Chief Michael Afolabi Adebisi Oyeniyi Alabi Ajiboye (JP)