Life and times of Pa Adebisi Ogunseye (March 6, 1927- December 3, 2018)

Pa Samuel Adebisi Ogunseye was born into the family of the late Chief Rufus Solomon Ogunseye (the Lotin of Ile-Oluji) and the late Madam Julianah Tinuola Ogunseye of Odoyeghe Street, Ile-Oluji Kingdom, on March 6, 1927 and died on December 3, 2018, at the age of 91.

He attended St Peter’s Primary School Ile-Oluji and later proceeded to Anglican Church School Ondo and Owo Commercial College from
1946 to 1949.

He taught briefly in the infant section at St. Peter’s School, Ile-Oluji, and subsequently, moved to Lagos, where he worked with First Bank Limited (then called Bank of West Africa) between 1952 and 1953; and Barclays Bank from 1954-1961, before departing to England for further studies in banking.

He got married to his late wife, Priscilla Oyinade Adefarasin before leaving for England, and later got married to Oluwayemisi, with whom he spent his last years. He had five children, grandchildren, and a great grandchild.

In England, he was trained at Kennington College London from 1962 to 63, then City College Moorgate, London from1963 to1969, while studying, he also took professional examinations.

The qualifications he obtained included: Bachelor of Science (Accounting) BSc, Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB), Fellowship of The Chartered Institute of Secretaries (FCIS), Membership of The British Institute of Management (MBIM), and Fellowship of The Royal Society of Economics (FR. Econ.S).

When he returned to Nigeria in 1969, he worked with United Bank for Africa Limited, where he rose to the post of Principal Manager, serving at various branches in Lagos, Aba, Port Harcourt and Owerri before he retired from the bank in 1994.

In retirement, he decided to serve in the Anglican Church, and was a devout Christian, a foundation member of Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Anglican Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos (AAAAC) where he served as a Church Warden for 15 years.

He was a member of Egbe Ife Rere Kristi of The Cathedral of St Peter’s, Ile Oluji, Eagle Club, Surulere (then known as Shell Club), was a chairman of the Ajao Estate Landlords’ Association, and a member of Island Club Lagos for many years (Membership Number 4513).

He was his membership of Prestige Club 75, which comprised some of his closest friends and colleagues.

A highly organized person, he would be remembered for his sense of fashion and his brilliant judgment of national issues.

His grandparents were the late Chief Logbosere Ogunribido of Odoyeghe (paternal) and the late Chief Lisa Odidi Sabejeje of Odolua Street, Ile Oluji (maternal).

Last Tuesday, a service of songs was held in his honour at Achbishop Abiodun Adetiliye Anglican Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

Also, Thursday, January 17, had family, friends and well-wishers gathered at his residence in Ajao Estate for his lying- in-state, then a commendation service at the church.

Later that evening, a Christian wake was held at Oke-Alafia, Fila-Ola Compound, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State.

Baba was buried yesterday, after a funeral service at the Cathedral of St. Peter’s Church, Ile-Oluji, Ondo.

At the service of songs last Tuesday, there was so much to say about Baba.

He was among the builders of the church even as he remained the rally point as the oldest parishioner.

“He was kind, loving and a true human being,” said one speaker.

“He was always on top of his situation till death,” said another.

Dr. Adewunmi Ogunseye said: “My father did not only build the church, the church also built my father.”

Adewunmi, who practices medicine in the United Kingdom, said: “We became good friends and he would insist I should follow him to church each time I was around in Nigeria.”