BIOGRAPHY OF CHIEF FESTUS OLAWUYI MALOMO THE ASIWAJU OF ST ANDREWS ANGLICAN CHURCH ADA-IKIRUN, OSUN STATE.
A TIME TO BE BORN
There was no accurate record about the exact date of birth of our dear father-Chief Festus Olawuyi Malomo. A recent interview with him confirmed this. He was until his death the only surviving child out of the many of his mother. His father was Chief Ezekiel Malomo-the Obale of Ada and his mother was Mrs. Abigail Aworohunke Malomo (both of them were glorified). His mother –Mrs. Aworohunke Malomo-who was then carrying the pregnancy of our father went to the farm one day but she did not know she was due for delivery that day otherwise she wouldn’t have gone to the farm. On the farm that day she fell into labor and before long she was delivered safely of a bouncing baby boy on the farm. His mother instead of carrying either yams or firewood back home that day, carried in her big calabash (igba eru) her new bouncing baby boy to the joy and happiness of his father and entire family. The boy was christened Festus Olawuyi Malomo.
DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH
From birth daddy got “ready made mothers” who would readily carry and curdle him in admiration. Aside the volunteer mothers he had two elder biological sisters who were loving and caring to him always. As a growing child he was always following his father to the farm or staying with his mother at home or at the market place. That was the rhythm of his childhood days. His growth was steady under strict discipline blended with tender love of his parents.
HIS EDUCATION
During his childhood both parents had not met Christ so the western education brought to Ada through evangelism meant nothing to them. However, some people possibly Christians counseled his father to allow his son, Festus Olawuyi , to go to school. In 1944 daddy was released to enroll in St Andrew’s Anglican Primary School , Ada. He was in school from 1944-1949. His attendance was intermittent because of school fees, his father could not afford to pay four shillings (about forty naira today) which was the quarterly fees which he managed to pay once, as a result of this, he was always sent out of school. It is noteworthy that during the brief moments he spent in the school he was always top of his class. Funny enough anytime he surfaced in school his mates, ignorant of his challenges, saw him simply as a truant. They were quick to make fun of him and sang choruses about his truancy. Most popular of them was “isansa sukuru a le e ko lo ko le lo…..”truant, we have often driven you out of school but you would not go”. At this point in his life his two elder sisters Ebe and Aasa came to his rescue. They met their mother and told her to stop buying Christmas attire for them, instead she should use the money to settle their only younger brother’s school fees and so it was.
DEATH OF HIS FATHER
On January 23rd 1944, the Obale of Ada, Chief Ezekiel Malomo, his father breathed his last and answered the heavenly call. His father was given a befitting burial, his mother braced up and took the bull by the horns concerning the education of her son.
EVER FIRST
He was now regular and fully settled in school. It was then he showed his mate the academic stuff he was made of, he was always taking first position and at the end of each year during the speech and prize giving programme he often went home with most of the prizes. Most times his mother was not present at the programmes. One year after the prize giving programme, few days later, other parents met her at different times and places and congratulated her on her son’s brilliance and the prizes he won. She was shocked, embarrassed and afraid for her son’s fame. She got home and cautioned her son agitatedly in Yoruba “dakun iwo omo yi ma gba ipo kinni mo o, okiki yii ti poju o. Nko fe ki iwo naa tun ku o- “please this boy stop taking first position, you are the talk of the town, I don’t want you to die too”. No one would blame her for her fear and apprehension after losing her two daughters- Ebelokun and Aasaolapeju to death in quick succession. Brilliantly he completed his Standard Six Certificate in 1949.
FURTHER TRAINING
1.Osun Divisional Teacher Training College, Ejigbo 1954-1955
2. Ibadan Divisional (Grade II) Teacher Training College, Osogbo 1959-1960
3. G. C. E. (London) 1964
4. Produce Training School, Onireke Ibadan 1965
WORK EXPERIENCE
SHOP CLERK
Shortly after he passed the Standard Six exam in 1949 one of his relatives- Israel Oladimeji of blessed memory asked him to come to Ilorin to work. He was appointed as a shop clerk on a salary of fifteen shillings (about 15 naira now). As a result of his intelligence he was on hand to help the other clerks to balance their accounts at the close of the day. He left Ilorin in December 1950 and went back to Ada because he was offered a teaching appointment.
SMALL TEACHER
He was given a teaching appointment in his alma-mater- St Andrews Anglican Primary School, Ada in 1951. As a result of his small stature he was often called small teacher. He worked diligently well.
OTHER PLACES
He was transferred from Ada to All Saints Anglican Primary School, Osogbo in 1952. The school was one of the most popular schools in Osogbo Archdeaconry then and only brilliant and intelligent teachers were posted there. After his training at O. D. T. T. C. Ejigbo, he taught at Oyinlola D. C. school, Okuku in 1956-1958. As a grade II trained and certificated teacher he was posted to Oke-ada D. C. school, IKire as the Head Master in 1961. He also taught at Ayedaade D. C. School, Apomu.
SELF DISCIPLINE AND DETERMINATION
His mother had always wanted her only son to get a wife and settle down fast but Festus Olawuyi Malomo had his eyes on something else-education with better certificate. The pressure for marriage was becoming too much when he completed his grade three course at Ejigbo and so he made it clear to his mother that he was not going to get married until he got his own house.
As a small teacher in Osogbo Archdeaconry, he joined his other colleaques to write a promotional exam in 1952. His script became controversial as a result of his extra-ordinary brilliant performance, the board had to invite his headmasters from Ada and Osogbo for enquiry on him. They both affirmed his ability and the board was convinced that there was no malpractice. Festus Olawuyi Malomo- small teacher was one of the few teachers who scored seventy percent and above, their salaries were instantly reviewed upwards. It was this increment and other savings that he used for his school fees at O. D. T. T. C. Ejigbo.
Another interesting aspect of his life was that the student allowance he collected at Ibadan Divisional Teacher Training College, Osogbo was saved. He used his money to pay the dowry of his wife, bought some bundles of iron sheet for his house and a Ralley bicycle. He met his wife while he was in Osogbo. Mr. Stephen Oyeyiade Ogunkanmi, the elder brother of Miss Rhoda Oyetola Ogunkanmi was a co-tenant with daddy then. Mr. Ogunkanmi was a disciplinarian who did not tolerate nonsense, he did not only send Rhoda to school but also monitored her education and ways. Some years later Mr. Festus Olawuyi Malomo fell in love with her and they got married in 1961. To the glory of God his prayers were answered his desires were met, he got married into a beautiful four bedroom bungalow in Ada. The wedding is blessed with successful children.
CHANGE OF MINISTRY
In 1965 the powers that be transferred him to a farm settlement from Ayedaade. He felt bad about the transfer to a remote village, while still thinking on this sudden transfer he met an old friend who some years back had left education ministry for ministry of agriculture and natural resources. He told him about his ordeal and luckily he was able to assist him- he collected copies of his grade III, II and G. C. E. (London) certificates. A few months later he was invited for an interview which he passed. He was sent to produce Inspector Training School, Onireke Ibadan. He was a diligent and an industrious worker, he worked in Ile-ife and many other towns in Oyo, Ondo and Osun states.
RETIREMENT
After many years of meritorious and successful service in the Ministry of Agriculture he retired as a higher Produce Superintendent in 1990.
SERVICE TO GOD AND HUMANITY
CHRISTIAN LIFE
Chief Festus Olawuyi Malomo served his Lord faithfully at St Andrews Anglican Church, Ada for many years. He was trustworthy, transparent in all areas of his service to God and human beings. He was elected people’s warden and treasurer of the church for sixteen years, 1987-2003. He was installed the Asiwaju of St Andrews Anglican Church, Ada in 1983. He was given an award again on the 15th of April 2006.
SERVICE TO ADA COMMUNITY
Chief Festus Olawuyi Malomo was of great service not only to his immediate family but also to the extended family, the Obale compound and the entire Ada community. He was an exceptional man, God fearing, transparently honest , very organized and truthful to a fault. Some of the ideals he loved he carefully introduced into the running of the compound and are sustaining pillars of reference in Obale compound today.
During the trying years in Ada, he worked selflessly with other patriots in the town to stem down the storms. He was a member of the peace committee of the town, several meetings from 4th March 1988 were held. The committee encouraged aggrieved individuals to withdraw their suits from the law courts for the sake of peace.
He was along with other committed Ada sons were instrumental to the coming of ADA DAY celebrations. The maiden edition was in 1997, he was charged with the supervision of collection of proceeds at the first Ada day-8th August. An account was opened with Wema Bank plc in Iragbiji and he was made a signatory to the account. He was the community treasurer from 1997-2000. Many projects were initiated and executed successfully by the committee. For all these services in Ada community he was given an award on 31st Oct 2009.
The children of his elder sisters- Mrs Ebelokun and Mrs Aasaolapeju and his younger sister- Mrs Oyeboola Adeoye (who all died while their mother Madam Abigail Aworohunke Malomo was alive) became his children. He cared and raised all of them together with his own direct children, no difference and discrimination In provision for all their needs. He was also a great mentor to the children of late Madam Victoria Ayanyiola Tela and Dorcas Osunwenu Bolatito- who were his maternal cousins.
BUS STOP
On Thursday 12th
April, 2012 Chief Festus Olawuyi Malomo got to his final bus stop. He gloriously, cheerfully and happily alighted from the mortal and earthly bus, he boarded the waiting heaven and eternal bound chariot that carried him to his Lord and savior, JESUS CHRIST. ADIEU FATHER, SLEEP WELL.
BIOGRAPHY OF CHIEF FESTUS OLAWUYI MALOMO THE ASIWAJU OF ST ANDREWS ANGLICAN CHURCH ADA-IKIRUN, OSUN STATE.
A TIME TO BE BORN
There was no accurate record about the exact date of birth of our dear father-Chief Festus Olawuyi Malomo. A recent interview with him confirmed this. He was until his death the only surviving child out of the many of his mother. His father was Chief Ezekiel Malomo-the Obale of Ada and his mother was Mrs. Abigail Aworohunke Malomo (both of them were glorified). His mother –Mrs. Aworohunke Malomo-who was then carrying the pregnancy of our father went to the farm one day but she did not know she was due for delivery that day otherwise she wouldn’t have gone to the farm. On the farm that day she fell into labor and before long she was delivered safely of a bouncing baby boy on the farm. His mother instead of carrying either yams or firewood back home that day, carried in her big calabash (igba eru) her new bouncing baby boy to the joy and happiness of his father and entire family. The boy was christened Festus Olawuyi Malomo.
DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH
From birth daddy got “ready made mothers” who would readily carry and curdle him in admiration. Aside the volunteer mothers he had two elder biological sisters who were loving and caring to him always. As a growing child he was always following his father to the farm or staying with his mother at home or at the market place. That was the rhythm of his childhood days. His growth was steady under strict discipline blended with tender love of his parents.
HIS EDUCATION
During his childhood both parents had not met Christ so the western education brought to Ada through evangelism meant nothing to them. However, some people possibly Christians counseled his father to allow his son, Festus Olawuyi , to go to school. In 1944 daddy was released to enroll in St Andrew’s Anglican Primary School , Ada. He was in school from 1944-1949. His attendance was intermittent because of school fees, his father could not afford to pay four shillings (about forty naira today) which was the quarterly fees which he managed to pay once, as a result of this, he was always sent out of school. It is noteworthy that during the brief moments he spent in the school he was always top of his class. Funny enough anytime he surfaced in school his mates, ignorant of his challenges, saw him simply as a truant. They were quick to make fun of him and sang choruses about his truancy. Most popular of them was “isansa sukuru a le e ko lo ko le lo…..”truant, we have often driven you out of school but you would not go”. At this point in his life his two elder sisters Ebe and Aasa came to his rescue. They met their mother and told her to stop buying Christmas attire for them, instead she should use the money to settle their only younger brother’s school fees and so it was.
DEATH OF HIS FATHER
On January 23rd 1944, the Obale of Ada, Chief Ezekiel Malomo, his father breathed his last and answered the heavenly call. His father was given a befitting burial, his mother braced up and took the bull by the horns concerning the education of her son.
EVER FIRST
He was now regular and fully settled in school. It was then he showed his mate the academic stuff he was made of, he was always taking first position and at the end of each year during the speech and prize giving programme he often went home with most of the prizes. Most times his mother was not present at the programmes. One year after the prize giving programme, few days later, other parents met her at different times and places and congratulated her on her son’s brilliance and the prizes he won. She was shocked, embarrassed and afraid for her son’s fame. She got home and cautioned her son agitatedly in Yoruba “dakun iwo omo yi ma gba ipo kinni mo o, okiki yii ti poju o. Nko fe ki iwo naa tun ku o- “please this boy stop taking first position, you are the talk of the town, I don’t want you to die too”. No one would blame her for her fear and apprehension after losing her two daughters- Ebelokun and Aasaolapeju to death in quick succession. Brilliantly he completed his Standard Six Certificate in 1949.
FURTHER TRAINING
1.Osun Divisional Teacher Training College, Ejigbo 1954-1955
2. Ibadan Divisional (Grade II) Teacher Training College, Osogbo 1959-1960
3. G. C. E. (London) 1964
4. Produce Training School, Onireke Ibadan 1965
WORK EXPERIENCE
SHOP CLERK
Shortly after he passed the Standard Six exam in 1949 one of his relatives- Israel Oladimeji of blessed memory asked him to come to Ilorin to work. He was appointed as a shop clerk on a salary of fifteen shillings (about 15 naira now). As a result of his intelligence he was on hand to help the other clerks to balance their accounts at the close of the day. He left Ilorin in December 1950 and went back to Ada because he was offered a teaching appointment.
SMALL TEACHER
He was given a teaching appointment in his alma-mater- St Andrews Anglican Primary School, Ada in 1951. As a result of his small stature he was often called small teacher. He worked diligently well.
OTHER PLACES
He was transferred from Ada to All Saints Anglican Primary School, Osogbo in 1952. The school was one of the most popular schools in Osogbo Archdeaconry then and only brilliant and intelligent teachers were posted there. After his training at O. D. T. T. C. Ejigbo, he taught at Oyinlola D. C. school, Okuku in 1956-1958. As a grade II trained and certificated teacher he was posted to Oke-ada D. C. school, IKire as the Head Master in 1961. He also taught at Ayedaade D. C. School, Apomu.
SELF DISCIPLINE AND DETERMINATION
His mother had always wanted her only son to get a wife and settle down fast but Festus Olawuyi Malomo had his eyes on something else-education with better certificate. The pressure for marriage was becoming too much when he completed his grade three course at Ejigbo and so he made it clear to his mother that he was not going to get married until he got his own house.
As a small teacher in Osogbo Archdeaconry, he joined his other colleaques to write a promotional exam in 1952. His script became controversial as a result of his extra-ordinary brilliant performance, the board had to invite his headmasters from Ada and Osogbo for enquiry on him. They both affirmed his ability and the board was convinced that there was no malpractice. Festus Olawuyi Malomo- small teacher was one of the few teachers who scored seventy percent and above, their salaries were instantly reviewed upwards. It was this increment and other savings that he used for his school fees at O. D. T. T. C. Ejigbo.
Another interesting aspect of his life was that the student allowance he collected at Ibadan Divisional Teacher Training College, Osogbo was saved. He used his money to pay the dowry of his wife, bought some bundles of iron sheet for his house and a Ralley bicycle. He met his wife while he was in Osogbo. Mr. Stephen Oyeyiade Ogunkanmi, the elder brother of Miss Rhoda Oyetola Ogunkanmi was a co-tenant with daddy then. Mr. Ogunkanmi was a disciplinarian who did not tolerate nonsense, he did not only send Rhoda to school but also monitored her education and ways. Some years later Mr. Festus Olawuyi Malomo fell in love with her and they got married in 1961. To the glory of God his prayers were answered his desires were met, he got married into a beautiful four bedroom bungalow in Ada. The wedding is blessed with successful children.
CHANGE OF MINISTRY
In 1965 the powers that be transferred him to a farm settlement from Ayedaade. He felt bad about the transfer to a remote village, while still thinking on this sudden transfer he met an old friend who some years back had left education ministry for ministry of agriculture and natural resources. He told him about his ordeal and luckily he was able to assist him- he collected copies of his grade III, II and G. C. E. (London) certificates. A few months later he was invited for an interview which he passed. He was sent to produce Inspector Training School, Onireke Ibadan. He was a diligent and an industrious worker, he worked in Ile-ife and many other towns in Oyo, Ondo and Osun states.
RETIREMENT
After many years of meritorious and successful service in the Ministry of Agriculture he retired as a higher Produce Superintendent in 1990.
SERVICE TO GOD AND HUMANITY
CHRISTIAN LIFE
Chief Festus Olawuyi Malomo served his Lord faithfully at St Andrews Anglican Church, Ada for many years. He was trustworthy, transparent in all areas of his service to God and human beings. He was elected people’s warden and treasurer of the church for sixteen years, 1987-2003. He was installed the Asiwaju of St Andrews Anglican Church, Ada in 1983. He was given an award again on the 15th of April 2006.
SERVICE TO ADA COMMUNITY
Chief Festus Olawuyi Malomo was of great service not only to his immediate family but also to the extended family, the Obale compound and the entire Ada community. He was an exceptional man, God fearing, transparently honest , very organized and truthful to a fault. Some of the ideals he loved he carefully introduced into the running of the compound and are sustaining pillars of reference in Obale compound today.
During the trying years in Ada, he worked selflessly with other patriots in the town to stem down the storms. He was a member of the peace committee of the town, several meetings from 4th March 1988 were held. The committee encouraged aggrieved individuals to withdraw their suits from the law courts for the sake of peace.
He was along with other committed Ada sons were instrumental to the coming of ADA DAY celebrations. The maiden edition was in 1997, he was charged with the supervision of collection of proceeds at the first Ada day-8th August. An account was opened with Wema Bank plc in Iragbiji and he was made a signatory to the account. He was the community treasurer from 1997-2000. Many projects were initiated and executed successfully by the committee. For all these services in Ada community he was given an award on 31st Oct 2009.
The children of his elder sisters- Mrs Ebelokun and Mrs Aasaolapeju and his younger sister- Mrs Oyeboola Adeoye (who all died while their mother Madam Abigail Aworohunke Malomo was alive) became his children. He cared and raised all of them together with his own direct children, no difference and discrimination In provision for all their needs. He was also a great mentor to the children of late Madam Victoria Ayanyiola Tela and Dorcas Osunwenu Bolatito- who were his maternal cousins.
BUS STOP
On Thursday 12th April, 2012 Chief Festus Olawuyi Malomo got to his final bus stop. He gloriously, cheerfully and happily alighted from the mortal and earthly bus, he boarded the waiting heaven and eternal bound chariot that carried him to his Lord and savior, JESUS CHRIST. ADIEU FATHER, SLEEP WELL.
![At daughter's[Olanike] graduation & wedding ceremony 001](https://photo.forevermissed.com/lst/f/e/festus-olawuyi-malomo/p/0460511_96x96_38d2f7.jpg "At daughter's[Olanike] graduation & wedding ceremony 001")