AN ODE TO A TEACHER, MENTOR AND LEADER: CHIEF OLUSOLA BAYODE
BY CHIEF WOLE OLANIPEKUN, OFR, SAN
It is appointed unto man to be born, to live and to die. However, nestled in and embedded in its fine print, is an intrinsic linear trajectory of evolution, development and growth. Without these, man is but a husk; an organic container of other organic containers which merely fleshen out into the dust from whence man came. In this extent, the ingredient majeur that exculpates man from assured perdition is wisdom and its attainment. Wisdom in this context is not wisdom, the finished product; it is wisdom, the sedimentary aggregation of knowledge through experience, from when one is born, to when a higher call is answered. In this wise, the journey is the destination and the destination is the journey; it is both the beginning and the end, with both being of equal momentum, substance and value. As such, knowledge and wisdom are two peas of the same pod; Siamese twins, if you like, and they operate in tandem, ad infinitum.
Arising from the foregoing prognosis, I have come to the realisation, nay, enlightenment, and, in fact, reached another Eureka! moment, to wit, that I could not have arrived here on my own, and that if knowledge and wisdom are the journey and the destination, then Teachers, that selfless, self-denying, compassionate, public-spirited and altruistic class of persons, are the vehicle that conveyed me here; right from my elementary days in primary school, through to secondary school, even the university, and till now.
This Ode is to a Teacher amongst Teachers; a Teacher in a class of his own; a Teacher who combined so many ingredients and attributes – a leader, an instructor, a disciplinarian, a friend, a brother, an uncle, a role model, a mentor, a guardian, et al – Chief Olusola Bayode. It was Albert Einstein who opined that “it is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge”. I find myself in concomitance with Einstein’s postulation as years ago, I was privileged to have been taught, in character and learning, and my joy in creative expression awakened by eminent Teachers, including Chief Olusola Bayode, an individual I consider to have eclipsed the realm of being a mere Teacher, and attained the status of what I call my Teacher Emeritus. He was my Literature Teacher in Forms 1 and 2 at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere, and took over as our Geography Teacher in Forms 3 to 5. While doing my Higher School at Ilesa Grammar School, Ilesa, between 1970 – 1971, this benevolent instructor kept up with my progress and wellbeing through a close friend of his, one Mr. Olajide, who taught me poetry. Even now, I recall the relish with which I used to look forward to his classes; his way with words, and particularly, his mien and practicalisation of his lessons. While teaching, he did so with gusto, bringing all of his experience to bear. Whether Literature or Geography, he painted the most vivid of pictures. It was in his Geography class, right here at Amoye Grammar School, Ikere, particularly in our final year in 1969, that this gentleman took all of us to different parts of and destinations in the world, including the oil deposits in the United States of America, the Ruhr of Great Britain, the Pampas of Argentina, the coal in Newcastle, the fine skins in Australia/New Zealand, etc. In other words, it was in Teacher Bayode’s class that I obtained my first visiting visa; by paying rapt attention, I travelled to England and knew her seasons, even though I had not yet physically been there at the time; by listening to him, I took trips to the American Rockies, the Sahara Desert, the Indian Ocean, the Amazon River and the Chagos Archipelago, amongst others. Chief Olu Bayode did not only transmit regimented knowledge; he also connected us with the spiritual and metaphysical. At a one-week Christian Camp for young secondary school students, which took place at Baptist Boys High School, Igede, in December, 1969, Chief Bayode, along with Mr. Mike Oye and Mr. Muyiwa Olamijulo, took their thematic expression from 1st Peter – 5:8, and in so doing, urged us to be wary, to gird our loins and to “be sober and to be vigilant, because our adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. During our break, they took us on an excursion, nay, pilgrimage, to Ikogosi Warm Springs, Ikogosi where, using the unique and rarefied example of the Spring’s competing hot and cold waters, flowing simultaneously from the same source, demonstrated the effervescence of God’s wonder.
To F. Soneil Jose, “The influence of a teacher extends beyond the classroom and well into the future”. Chief Olusola Bayode fit into this postulation, as I can say without any fear of contradiction that his influence over the generations of students he taught in several schools during his illustrious career extended beyond the classroom, and that influence shaped and still shapes their future. He was always very excited and proud of any one of his students doing well. A quick example will suffice. In 1993, he was the Chairman, Ondo State Branch, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), and the Association declared an industrial dispute with the State Government, leading to an impasse. Prominent figures and traditional rulers in the State approached both sides to resolve the imbroglio; and this led to a meeting of eminent personalities from all walks of life at the Cocoa Hall, Akure. Chief Olusola Bayode stood in gap for all the secondary school teachers in the State and presented their case stoically and brilliantly. Let me pause here by stating the obvious, that is, Chief Bayode had the gift of the gab. While Governor Bamidele Olumilua was responding to Chief Bayode’s presentation, he stated, amongst others, that he sympathised with the teachers… ; but Chief Bayode quickly cut in, rose on his feet, and said “Mr. Governor, do not sympathise with us. Teachers are not the dregs of the world, but moulders of professionals and leaders. Rather than sympathising, you have to reason with and be proud of us. How can you sympathise with someone like me who has produced several leading figures in the country including the man sitting to your immediate left, the Attorney-General of Ondo State, the Chief Law Officer of the State, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria?” There was thunderous applause! Vintage Chief Olusola Bayode!!
Charity, they say, begins at home. Chief Bayode’s charity began at home, right here in his cradle, Ikere. I bear eloquent testimony to the fact that right from the time he was our teacher at Amoye Grammar School, he had been keenly involved in Ikere and her affairs, holding regular and constructive meetings alongside other patriots on the progress and advancement of the town in all spheres. The City Hall in the centre of the town today could not have come to fruition without Chief Olusola Bayode’s active involvement. I vividly recall when the project was virtually abandoned, with the project site becoming a dumping ground; some people beckoned on me to assist in resuscitating it, and I decided to put down some money, but only did so with a proviso that Chief Olusola Bayode and Chief Michael Ogundare (Eyitope) should be in charge of the disbursement of the fund set up by me as I could always vouch for their unyielding integrity. It was this fund as well as the donation by His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State that Chief Bayode and his team utilised in completing the project. What of the quest for the creation of Ekiti South Diocese out of the present Ekiti Diocese? Again, Chief Bayode and other eminent leaders of our Church, past and present, including the late Professor M. A Olofinboba, Prof. David Oke, Chief Ogunlade, Justice Edward Ojuolape, the late Venerable Jacob Asaolu Adeyinka, have been in the vanguard for the creation of the Diocese for over 20 years. It was a project so dear to Chief Bayode, and his joy knew no bounds when it appeared that we would have the Diocese created about this time last year. Alas, that great expectation, which enlightened the spirit of all of us and also gladdened our collective heart, was not realised in the lifetime of this great leader. Howbeit, it shall come pass in the nearest future in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
There is much to say about this enigma who, to many of us, was a Gamaliel, by whose feet we learnt a lot; and we boast of him, just like the great Apostle Paul boasted of his teacher, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). He was our guiding light, a motivator, beacon, a facilitator, an accelerator, a catalyst, and mobiliser. His passing has left a big vacuum which will be difficult to fill. Be that as it may, we have to thank God for his life and times; for his works and deeds; for his teachings and admonitions; for his inspiration and motivation. We equally bless God for the beautiful and edifying legacies he left behind, including a wonderful wife and well brought up children. He lived well; he served his God to the best of his ability; he was steadfast and unwavering all through; he fought a good fight; he ran a good race; he completed his work; he died in the Lord. I am persuaded that he has joined the heavenly throng – the Saints Triumphant.
This Ode is in testament of Chief Olusola Bayode - his mettle, his substance, quality, character and reputation as a great Teacher. May his amiable and pleasant soul rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord.
Chief Wole Olanipekun, OFR, SAN, LL.D, FCIArb, FNIALS
Asiwaju of Ikereland
Iyaniwura House
Ikere, Ekiti State
March, 2021