It was Monday, February 8, 1954 when Femi, a bright-looking bundle of joy staged his entrance into this world. He cried and gazed innocently at his mom and also at Heaven above, where he came from. He then signaled his readiness to embark on life's journey.
Femi was the first surviving child from his mother, followed by four boys and one girl. His deceased parents, Pa Joel Adebusoye and Chief (Mrs.) Christianah Sijuwade Ajimatanrareje were ecstatic and overjoyed at Femi's birth. Four years later, Femi and his Dad were divinely rescued from the throes of death when they had a ghastly bicycle accident as they rode from Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria to the Farm. That frightful accident left an indelible mark on Femi's face throughout his lifetime.
Oluwafemi Adenusi grew in strength and stature. He was enrolled at the Baptist Primary School, Ile-Oluji for his elementary education in 1960. He was numbered among the schoolchildren who danced, sang, waved the new flag and celebrated Nigeria's independence from British rule in October 1960.
Femi received his high school education at Gboluji Grammar School, Ile-Oluji from 1968 - 1972. Then, he was popularly called "Jantar Mantar." Femi was personable, fashionable, famous, jovial and agile. He played soccer a great deal. Femi graduated from high school with good grades and two months later, he started his teaching career at St. Luke's Primary School, Ile-Oluji.
A year later, he enrolled at St. Peter's Teachers' College, Akure and graduated with his Grade II teacher's certificate in June 1975. While in that college, he was the top scorer in the school's soccer team matches. After graduation, Femi taught in a technical high school in Ibadan, Nigeria from 1975 until December 1978, when he traveled to the United States for his university education.
Femi graduated with Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration from San Francisco State University, San Francisco in May 1983. Because of his love for his home country, Nigeria, he returned there in December 1983 for the National Youth Service Corps program and served his country and his community sacrificially for 12 months (January 1984 - December 1984).
Oluwafemi returned to the United States in 1985 and retrained as a computer systems analyst. He worked at the California State Court of Appeal in San Francisco from 1986 - 1996. After he left the Court of Appeal, he returned to teaching. He taught for two years at Oakland Technical High School, Oakland.
Femi was honest and upright. On one occasion on the streets of Oakland, California, he found a municipal bond certificate worth $25,000. Femi promptly returned the bond certificate to the rightful owner without a second thought! This act of honesty was documented by the Oakland Police department and was also reported in the news media in the United States and Nigeria. The Oakland Tribune reported that
Femi, a Nigerian American living in Oakland has turned into "a Good Samaritan."
Oluwafemi also made a bold foray into academics and contributed immensely to knowledge. He studied and obtained his Master's degree in Education and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Femi, in 2016, authored a quintessential book on Education, titled: “Teacher's Certification or Non-certification on Student's Achievement."
He taught for many years at DuVal High School in Prince George's County Public School District in Lanham, Maryland. Dr. Femi was hailed and commended on numerous occasions by both students and staff, and also by school administrators for excellence, professionalism and advancing the progress of his students. He loved teaching and was indeed a teacher extraordinaire.
Dr. Femi was also a true Christian, who loved and served the Lord Jesus during his lifetime. He was one of the founding members of Victory Christian Fellowship (VCF) in Oakland, California. He engaged invitation evangelism that helped attract a lot of his friends to VCF at its inception. He and his wife sang in the choir of the church for many years. Dr. Femi was the chairperson of the building committee that raised a lot of the money used as downpayment for the purchase of the church building.
After Dr. Femi and his family relocated to Maryland, he became an elder at Royal Seed Church International, Laurel, Maryland, preaching and teaching the word of God with passion and conviction. He served as Sunday School Director of the Church until his death.
Dr. Femi was a faithful husband and a responsible father and grandfather. He was married to Mary Opeyemi (nee Olagunju) for 32 years. Their marriage was blessed with four brilliant children - Femi Adefisayo Ajimatanrareje, Mrs. Emilola Oluwole (nee Ajimatanrareje), Dr. Ademola Ajimatanrareje and Oluwaseyanu Ajimatanrareje. His first male child is Dandy Adetokunbo Ajimatanrareje.
Dr. Femi's new found friend and granddaughter, Melody Mojereoluwa, arrived in his family two months before he passed away. O death, why did you strike so soon?
Dr. Femi is survived by his wife, children, granddaughter, brothers, sisters, nephews nieces, aunties, uncles and cousins.
May the memory of Dr. Femi Adenusi Isaiah Ajimatanrareje be engrained in our hearts and his frailties remembered no more.
Dr. Yemi E. Ajimatanrareje
