Olusola Bayode was born at Igbo-Ola Isale Edo State to the Ayanla Family of Ikere-Ekiti. His father was Revd. D.F. Bayode and his mother, Grace Adesiyan Bayode. He grew up at the mission house, arising from his father’s ministry as a priest. He would later be called “Olu Mission” by friends. 

By virtue of his father’s calling, daddy lived in the different locations his father was transferred to. An experience that enriched his perspective and broadened his view on how to relate with people across class, status, pedigree and tribe. He was raised to see the value in human life and not where you come from. 
His upbringing was spartan but enriched with deep-rooted values, the love for family and the service to God and man. He would often tell stories of his father and the huge impact his father had on him. His father was more than a biological father to him; he was his mentor, confidant, teacher, adviser, priest, amongst several other roles. 
Daddy’s education was a project his father (D.F. Bayode) didn’t take lightly. In spite of his meagre salary as a priest, he committed himself to ensuring his son had the best.

His choice of secondary school was Christ’s School, in fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. With much trepidation he resumed on February 13, 1952 with a group of about 50 other boys. His excitement was mixed with his concern for leaving his much beloved father, a first for him.
Passing through Christ’s School was an experience he would relish till he breathed his last. His memory of life in Christ’s School formed a critical part of how he viewed life and how he carried on through his career. Canon Mason - his principal was a great influence on him as a student and would later be in his sojourn as a principal.mHis love and passion for the School was not hidden and he was actively involved in alumni matters till the last.

In his own words upon his admission to the university  - he described it as “ the one and only UI”. Such was the depth of his joy. He was in Sultan Bello Hall. He read Geography. 
Daddy often regaled us with delightfstories of his times at UI, the cafeteria experience, the academic life and his dedication and involvement with religious activities - Student Christian Movement (SCM) and the the Christian Union (CU).
He made lasting friendship at the university of Ibadan, and took pride in having gone through the pioneer university.

The choice of a partner has always been an important matter and one that Olusola didn’t take lightly; he wanted God’s choice for him. It became a constant prayer point for him. His steps were ordered and he wouldn’t understand into a lady he knew previously while he was in Christ’s School as his sister’s friend. Esther Morohunmubo Adeyanju came to see her cousin at UI ran into “brother Olu”. It was a chance meeting but one ordained by God. Both of them would often tell us how they would jointly pray to God not to allow their relationship if it wasn’t his Will.
They were married in Ibadan on December 30, 1965; and had 55 years of married life before the call of God. It was a partnership built on Christ the solid rock. The prayers done before 1965 was watered and nourished by God, as that decision would positively impact lives years after.

He was married to his soul mate, Morohunmubo for 55 years and they were blessed with children. He impacted the lives of his children with his deep-rooted value system, his work ethics, love for people and the community and most importantly the passion to serve God. 
Dad was strict, but thoughtful. He was hard on insolence and laziness and didn’t suffer fools  gladly. But he was not afraid to show his vulnerability to his children. He loved them deeply and gave them the best legacy - Education. His most often referenced demand from his children was “to make him happy”.

In 1993, when he became a grandfather, it was an experience that showed the softer side of this enigma. Right from that moment, he had personal and direct relationships with each of his grandchildren and they all enjoyed from the depth of his wisdom and love. He cheered them on and celebrated their achievements; he only demanded one thing in return; “to make him proud”. 
Daddy was the epicentre of the family, though absent in body, he has replicated himself in all his children and grandchildren, consciously instilling the right behaviours and attitude in everyone to have the ability to live without him. In his autobiography he said “I have always believed that life is a continuum. My father spared no effort in equipping me and preparing me to continue where he stopped, not knowing along the line where and when he would be called upon to stop. In like manner, I learnt to be involved actively in the lives of each of my children to ensure they got itright”. 

THIS IS THE HALLMARK OF A GREAT MAN.

AMOYE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 

Olusola Bayode started his active working life as a young teacher at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti. Though an indigene of the town, Coming to Ikere was the first time he would live in Ikere; so as he was settling down in a new job, he was also acclimatising with his roots. It was not long that he was catapulted into the socio-political discourse of the town. 

AISEGBA COMMUNITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
He was approached on an upcoming school in Aisegba community and the desire to have him as the foundation principal. The school kicked off in September 1972. It was a project he knew had to succeed. Working from scratch, he gave the school the motto- “Ise ni oogun ise “, meaning hardwork is the antidote for poverty. This was practicalised in every sense if it, he exposed the students to vocational work as well as farming; a venture he undertook alongside them. His work became a reference point to other principals and got noticed by the state government, and he became a recipient of an international training on account of this. His legacy at Aisegba continues to live on in the lives of his students as well as the physical structures he constructed as principal. 
The host community honoured him with a chieftaincy title as the ATAYESE in 1982. This was a place that gave him an identity as an administrator and one so much sought after.

CHRIST’S SCHOOL
At the invitation of the old boys, he was invited to take over as principal of Christ’s School, his alma mater. In their words, they wanted a ‘performing old student to take over as principal, to salvage the school from decadence’. This was not an ordinary call, but a noble and humbling one. As much as he was reluctant to leave Aisegba, a place where he had enjoyed overwhelming support and acceptance, the call to avail himself to his old school was one too heavy to ignore. 
His tenure at Christ’s School commenced on Monday, 3rd September 1984. It was a glorious day, as he found himself occupying the seat he had once looked at with so much respect and admiration- the seat of Canon Mason. It was a position he took with humility and thanksgiving.
His sojourn in Christ’s School is one made for a separate discourse. However, on assumption of office, at a delegate’s conference, he presented the state if the school and set in motion his vision and agenda for the school. Thus started the beginning of a healthy and highly productive relationship with the alumni. Christ’s School was returned to its enviable position, to the extent that admissions became very competitive and of course, merit based. 
His legacy at Christ’s School is edged in gold, and undeniable. To mention a few; 
1. Restored the glory and honour of the school.
2. A balanced school life focused on academics, vocation, entrepreneurship, sports, welfare and enriched communal living. 
3. Physical construction of classrooms, shopping complex, library, lecture theatre (Often in active collaboration with the alumni and the students community doing manual labour).

He gave everything to uplift the face and stature of Christ’s School, retiring in December 1994 with dignity and satisfaction.

Of note is that of the two schools he was principal, he was sought after by the respective stakeholders. He was principal for a cumulative of 22 years. 

His active involvement in the community started off from his time as a young teacher at Amoye Grammar School Ikere-Ekiti. He was extremely passionate about Ikere and over the years, and spoke for the community in various fora. He was the Chairman of Ikere day committee for over 10 years doubling later as Chairman Ikere Development Committee. The imposing Ikere City Hall standing boldly at the centre of the town is a living testimony of his years of service to the town. 
In the church, he started his service as a choir member, became a lay reader, member of PCC, People’s warden & treasurer and subsequently became a synod delegate. He was the diocesan synod secretary & trustee of the Ekiti Diocese for 24 years, working alongside 4 bishops; a record that has remained unbeaten. 
In retirement, he became a member of Christ’s Church Ado-Ekiti, a church that God granted him the grace and opportunity with others to start and nurture. He was a life member of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship and was a Field Rep till he passed on. 

He was an outstanding principal, and served as President of ANCOPPS (All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools) of old Ondo State from 1989-1993. He’s served on several educational panels, committees and commissions. He was a member of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) from 1990-1993. He became the first school principal to be appointed as member of Governorship and Legislative Elections tribunal, a privilege he enjoyed on two occasions. 
He was awarded the prestigious award of Christ’s School Merit award (CSMA) and Principal Emeritus of Nigeria (PEN). He also was awarded the Full Gospel Arganbright Partner 2013 award and the Obafemi Awolowo University Faculty of Education Distinguished Veteran Teachers’ award in 2018.