Facts You Should Know About Pa (Chief) Akinbobola, the Liken of Ile-Oluji Kingdom
- He is the only surviving founding member of the first social club in Ile-Oluji, the Inner Circle.
- He is the eldest member of the Majo Dynasty (his paternal side) and the Bamigbola Otusegi Odole Dynasty (his mother’s side)
- He is also the only original landlord at Oke-Otunba.
- His father, the late High Chief Jomu Akinbobola, lived beyond 100 years.
Free Community Service
Upon his retirement in 1984, he relocated to Ile-Oluji and worked gratuitously with the Jegun-in-council for about three years. His duties included settling disputes over farmland boundaries and writing reports for the council. He was the Treasurer/Secretary of Ukule chiefs for over 18 years. His duties included collecting money and paying to the treasurer, preparing lerin rosters, and seeing to the general wellbeing of members.
He was the town treasurer for the Ibariba night watchman project in Ile-Oluji during Oba Suulade Adedugbe’s reign. He collected funds from homes throughout the length and breadth of the town, paid and supervised the Ibaribas for over 3 years, and this was also done gratuitously. He is a 2001 Ile-Oluji Merit Awardee.
His Response to His 99th Birthday
Chief Akinbobola celebrated his 99th birthday on February 9, 2023. In an interview with Abbas Adeniran of Ile-Oluji Times, he said God has been the secret of his old age despite the nature of his job back in his youthful days. Back then, he worked on the sea and in the forest as a Forest Guard during which he encountered Elephants, Tigers, etc. “It is by the grace and mercy of God that I am still alive”, he enthused.
Pa Akinbobola was born in Ile-Oluji into the family of High Chief Jomu Akinbobola and Madam Famojue Abigail (Nee Bamigbola). He attended St Andrew’s School, St Peter’s School, Ile-Oluji, and Ondo Boys’ High School where he obtained the government class four certificate.
One of the childhood memories he shared with us was the extent to which he had to trek to school and his father’s farm in the absence of any form of motorized transportation. Pa Akinbobola wants to be remembered for his gentle and friendly disposition, always at peace with everybody. Baba also fondly remembered the way Ile-Oluji was when he was growing up, saying life is easier today than then when only a few people had access to the basic comfort of life.
Pa Akinbobola is fulfilled although he didn’t fulfill his ambition to become a teacher. He says he is an accomplished family man and a respected community leader. On the occasion of his birthday, baba could not resist the urge to sing his favourite hymn: Ore-ofe sa ni igbekele mi.
Grace’ tis a charming sound
Harmonious to the ear;
Heaven with the echo shall resound,
And all the earth shall hear.
Chorus:
Saved by Grace alone,
This is all my plea;
Jesus dies for all mankind,
And Jesus died for me.
