Remembering Oba Ajibola

THE 43rd remembrance of the demise of the Olowu of Owu, Oba Salami Adewunmi Ajibola (1949-1972) was recently held at Oba Salami Ajibola Hall, Islamic Mission for Africa Avenue, Isale Apata, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Oba Ajibola, a bibliophile, read more than 10,000 books in his lifetime and kept more than those books in his library. He taught himself to read and write in both English and Arabic languages. Though an engaging prince, Ajibola started out from humble beginnings. He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force where he distinguished himself as a crack detective and rose to the rank of Chief Inspector.

He retired to become a traditional ruler of Yoruba’s earliest kingdom. Oba Ajibola was a loving father. Throughout his life, he procured a uniform dress for his children during traditional festivals and the Muslim festival of Eid-El-Kabir. He always showed them love and was keenly interested in ensuring that his children made progress in life, that they had skills and professions. This habit endeared him to his children.

His philosophy for success was: ‘‘Do good, be truthful and honest.” His prescription for the multiplication and greatness of the Owu people was: “Love one another, don’t expect to be repaid for the good you have done, but do good to people anyway. If they reward you with evil never retaliate.”

Thus far, Oba Ajibola reigned longest on the Owu throne in its new abode in Abeokuta. He reigned for 23 years. Of his 25 children 16 are still survive, one of whom is the proprietor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Prince Bola Ajibola, a former Judge of the International Court of Justice at the Hague, Netherlands.