By Tola Adenle

On Saturday, October 27 2012, the Adamolekun Family of Iju in Akure North Local Government got together to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Translation of their late father, Otun Ijo St. Stephen’s Church, Oloye J.F. Adamolekun.

A memorial service was presided over by Dr. O. Abe, Bishop of Ekiti & The Archbishop of Ondo/Ekiti Province, Anglican Communion.  Archbishop Abe, an illustrious son of Iju, also delivered a befitting sermon laced with many interesting anecdotes that brought memories and laughter to congregants at the service.

Papa’s oldest surviving child, [Octogenarian] Barrister Isaac Adamolekun, read one of the lessons; Ayo Adubifa, a retired Senior Deputy Registrar, University of Lagos, read one of Papa’s favorite psalms – Nigbati Oluwa mu ikolo Sioni pada, awa da bi eniti nla ala … – Psalm 128), and Wole, a Federal Government civil servant, read another lesson at the service where all the hymns were among Papa’s favorites.

Chris Ayodele, the Associate Organist at All Saints’ Church, Jericho, Ibadan, was the Guest Organist.  Son of late Anglican  Canon Ayodele of Isarun in the old Akure District Church Council, Chris grew up in church activities, including the choir at his home church in Isarun and had a reunion of sorts with his old Parish Priest who now heads the Archdeaconry at Iju. He and the resident Choir Master and choir did justice to the hymns and a chant that brought memories of the church’s choir of the late 50s in which this blogger sang Alto at District Church competitions, winning laurels!

Here is a para on Papa from the church service program:

“He travelled to Lagos during the First World War and encountered Christianity and Western education.  He himself confessed that the experience constituted a watershed in his life and that it gave purpose and direction to his future.  He came back determined to be a Christian and propagandist for education, roles which he played with devotion to the last.”

His very notable life is documented in a biography by this blogger, Those were the Christians, a title derived from remarks made by the Ondo-born Late Anglican Church Primate, Archbishop Olufosoye as we waited to enter the church with Papa’s remains at his funeral.  The Anglican Church Head had alighted from his car and walked straight to our oldest brother:  Nat, Papa ku, o o ranse si mi? [Nat, why did you not notify me of Papa’s passing?]  When “Nat” answered that he did not want to bother the Primate, he retorted:  “Bother me?  Those were the Christians!  I’m reading the first lesson”.  Christians’ public presentation at the University of Ibadan’s Trenchard Hall had as keynote speaker retired Bishop of Akure Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi in 2005.

The get-together was a very joyous occasion for the family during which the 1942 triplets – Ayo, Joe & Ladipo – were also recognized and blessed.

Below are a few pictures from the day.

Interestingly, none of us showed up in alaari although we – me, the purist (!), excluded – believed we all did as the colors (the spirit), if not the letters (the weaves) of the classic were in evidence. This info is necessary so that those who see this blog as very interested in Yoruba aso oke do not get confused and conclude that ALL red aso oke are alaari classic.  What we all had are pretty modern takes of the classic.

It was a thoroughly-enjoyable occasion for the almost All-Iju area get-together!

Siblings gone to rest

N.[“Nat”] K. Adamolekun. 1919 – 2000.  Christ’s School, Ado; St. Andrew’s College, Oyo; University of London; 1st Nigerian Registrar, University of Ibadan.

Ob. Adamolekun.   1922- 1998.  Like Papa, Ob was a farmer.

Caleb O. Adamolekun. 1931 – 2001.  Government College, Ibadan, University College Ibadan; Nigerian athlete; Secondary school principals; retired Federal Ministry of Education staff.

Elizabeth Funke Ayodele. 1931 – 2012.