Who was Baba Olopoenia?
Our dearly beloved Father, Alhaji (Chief) Shittu Akanbi Gbenusola Olopoenia,was born in Okeho On The 19th Jan,1914.
His Father,Alfa Momodu Nallah of lemomu compound Bode Okeho while his mother name was Seliatu Ibipeju of Balogun compound ogan bode okeho.
His father was a descendants of a great Islamic scholar,that brought Islam to Okeho town.His father was well known throughout Oke-Ogun,oyo and the gold Coast (Ghana).
His Father was a produce merchant(kolanut and cocoa).
Baba Olopoenia,was taken to Lagos as a baby, he spent his childhood and adolescent life studying the Quran and Islamic science, while getting Islamic education in Lagos,he also endeavour to acquire literacy in Yoruba and English on his own.
While his Father settled in cape coast (Ghana),Baba and his elder brother were taken to cape coast (Ghana) by their father in the late 1930s.
In 1944 his father was invited back home to be installed as the chief Imam of Okeho,Baba and his brother were left behind to manage their father’s business.
Baba Olopoenia, became a prominent business man in cape coast.He was the sole agent of UAC for the area and ran a big transport business.
He became a socialite in the 1940s and 1950s to the extent that he contested an election as a local government councilor and won.
On 24th February 1995, baba and his brother Alh Alimi arrived back home,just before the passing away of their father on 25th February 1955. It was this journey that introduced baba to political development in Oke-Ogun and old oyo division.
Baba olopoenia became member of Oyo parapo (later NCNC).Some heavy weight members of this party convinced baba Olopoenia to stand election for western Regional House of Assembly in late 1955 on the NCNC platform.
He won the election and served as a member of the Western Regional House of Assembly from 1956 to 1960.
Among his colleagues in the NCNC of those days were Alh Adelabu Adegoke (Penkelemei), the then leader of NCNC in the western Region.Others were chief H.O David’s,Chief T.O.S Benson Chief Fani-Kayode, chief Akinjide,Chief E.O Ashamu and others.
He also contested western regional election in 1963 on the platform of NNDP and won.
He was appointed as a member of board of directors of the Western Nigeria Development Corporation by the government of chief S.A Akintola in 1963.In 1965,he was appointed as a parliamentary secretary for trade and industry and became a member of chief S.A Akintola ‘s NNDP government of the Western Region.
In 1966, Baba went to into active business in Lagos .His endeavor was blessed by God with success.He was a prominent business associate friend of Chief E.O Ashamu of oyo.He was a director of NEPCO Igbeti mining Company,pharco laboratories Nig LTD and Clemssy Nig LTD.
He played an important role for the installation of the first educated Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi).In recognition of his role,he was honored with the title Otun maye of Oyo land by late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
He was also honored with different titles,Seriki of Okeho,Olori Omokewu of Kajola,and Bashorun Adinni of Oke-Ogun.
Alhaji Chief Shittu Akanbi Gbenusola Olopoenia,was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and a mentor who left a vacuum that has been difficult to fill.His passing has been continuingly felt by us all.
Baba actually died on The 25th August 2009 and buried 26th August 2009.
May Almighty Allah Subhana-huwatahala reserve a place of peaceful rest and blessings for him in Alijanna, amin continue to rest in peace.
Baba,I love you.Omo gunmogunmo jagbani moshalashi,Oki ajanaku laayadasi taloje yaga niwaju Erin,Omo alapandede tijeni mesomeso,omo atana muti Omo atanamemu,omo lemomu Agba ni bode.I will continue to abide by your taught.
Rest on my Tenacious Leader And legend leader.
This tribute was written by Hon Ayo Olopoenia popularly known as Ayo Oke-Ogun.
He is the Chairman Oyo State Agency for Adults and Non Formal Education (AANFE).