Pa Emmanuel Abiodun: A triumphant, colourful life of impact and selfless service
By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Speaking for the very first time, 10 days after the demise of his father, Pa (Dr) Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun was quoted to have made some profounding statements giving general members of the public a glimpse of the godly heritage that surmarised the life and times of his iconic educationist father fondly called ‘Baba Teacher.’
While hosting the Remo Traditional rulers led by the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, who came around to condole with the governor over the demise of his father at the Abiodun’s family house, Iperu Remo, Abiodun was quoted to have said, “When I assumed office, my Dad told me to be faithful to the oath of office I took, he said I should respect the civil servants, pay them regularly and ensure that pensioners get their gratuities and all will be well.”
The governor also said, “My father lasked me to treat teachers well, you know that was his constituency, he told me to pay workers on time, before the last day of the month and this I have kept religiously.”
Gov. Abiodun who said he was completely broken when he received the news of the death of his father, added that, “my father lived for his family and community. We are a well knitted family. I have always feared a day like this. My father was a humble man.”
For many who knew next to nothing about what Pa Emmanuel Abiodun stood for, this statement from the first son of the octogenarian and many inspiring accolades and glowing tributes from across the country since the death of ‘Baba Teacher’ confirmed that Nigeria has just lost another illustrious and patriotic citizen.
A teacher of teachers, Pa Emmanuel Abiodun who left this sinful world on August 2, 2021 at the age of 89 has been described as a humanist par excellence and lover of progress capping it all with the gift of Prince Dapo Abiodun, the 5th Executive Governor of Ogun State.
Losing one’s loved ones, especially someone whose vehicle conveyed you to this world could be very painful but the worthy life of selfless service which characterised the life and times of Pa Emmanuel Abiodun have been a soothing consolation to all that Baba Teacher left behind.
In celebration, his children and relations are grateful to God that he not only left his footprints on the sand of time, he also made the most of his life and left a legacy, that in passing, the family are proudly celebrating his glorious exit at a ripe and fulfilling way.
The showers of encomium and accolades on the late octogenarian from far and near are a living proof to a popular maxim, “A good name is better than riches.”
The following are the remarks of eminent personalities who have taken their time out of their busy schedules to pay condolence visits to the Iperu home of the deceased.
“When we look back to what Baba achieved in his life time, we cannot be sad, no reason to be sad. We are thankful to God that he lived well, served well and fought good fights, won many battles and he did his own on mother earth before transiting to God’s bosom, and for that, we have every reason to celebrate him.
“He taught many people who have become champions in their chosen fields. We thank God for the life of excellence, service and sacrifice,” Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi said.
“Pa Abiodun was a role model, a disciplinarian, who used his teaching profession to impact positively on the lives of so many people.
“He lived a good life and his memories will linger for a long time,” Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said.
“I am not here to share the sadness or mourn about the death of Baba. I am here to celebrate his death because his life is worthy of emulation. He lived his life to the fullest and part of what he had done is to raise this young and dynamic man God has chosen to be the governor despite all the obstacles,” former Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu said.
“Pa Abiodun lived a life of service, not only to his immediate environment, but the whole country, through impacting the right values, morals and character that those he taught are noted for, in the society,” according to Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife.
“We are here to share in your grief, to sympathise with you and your family, but we must all take solace in the fact that death is inevitable and one day we will all die,” Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni said.
Pa (Dr) Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, aged 89, passed on, on Monday, August 2, 2021 at a London hospital, after a brief illness. Born to his parents (Pa Isaac Abiodun Okanrende and Madam Alice Olubowale Abiodun) on February 23, 1932 at Itasanyin, Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, the humble Christian background honed him for the greater challenges ahead and this marked his exploits in life.
Comparing him to a literary fruitful banana tree planted at the bank of a river, the birth of Pa Abiodun (aka Baba Teacher) as a devout Christian, was never in doubt. In 1942, he was baptised at St James Anglican Church, Iperu. He was born, schooled and bred within the Missionary circuit of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) which propelled him for excellence in his teaching career.
Thus, his chosen teaching skill was intrinsic to the building of generational leaders during his active service. Pa Abiodun began his formal education and teaching career at St James’ Anglican School, Iperu (First School Leaving Certificate between 1939 and 1947; and St James’ Anglican School, Iperu for his pupil teacher, between 1948 and 1950.
In 1952, he got his teaching appointment confirmed. Subsequently, Baba Teacher proceeded for his Grade 111 Teacher’s Certificate at St Paul’s Anglican School, Odogbolu (1953-1954); St Luke’s Grade 11 Teacher Training College, Ibadan, Oyo State (1955-1956); Grade 11 Teacher’s Certificate at St Barnabas’ Anglican School, Ilisan (1957-1958); tutor at Joint Provincial Grade 11 Teacher Training College, Sagamu (IJABCO2) between 1959 and 1960; teacher at Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu (1961); tutor at Joint Provincial Grade 11 Teacher Training College (IJABCOL), Sagamu, between June 1966 and December 1967; education officer at Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area (January 1968-December 1970); and lecture at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo state (January 1971 – September 1999).
Notwithstanding, in the quest to actualise his pet dream, Baba Teacher traversed and attended the following institutions: the Joint Provincial Grade 11 Teacher Training College (IJABCOL), between 1962 and 1963; University of Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) on Western Region scholarship (1963-1966) where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English Language and Literature, with Second Class Lower; Postgraduate Diploma from University of Ile-Ife (1976); Master of Arts in Education (MA.Ed); Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education (Guidance and Counselling), from University of Ile-Ife, in 1984.
Among academic positions held at Adeyemi College of Education, include Head of Department, English; Dean, School of Arts; Head of Department, Educational Foundations and Counselling; Dean, School of Education; Director, Institute of Academic Extension Services; and Head, Department of Educational Foundations and Management.
After 35 years of meritorious service, he disengaged from active teaching career, on September 30, 1999 and returned to his home town, Iperu, on March 31, 2000.
To his credit, he belonged to several professional, social and religious organisations, among which were Nigerian Association of Educational Psychologists; Akesan (Iperu) Club; Christian Unity Band, St James’ Anglican Church; High Society of Fellows, Remo Anglican Diocese; Remo Anglican Diocesan Board; Secretary, Iperu Palace Building Committee (2002-2003); member, Governing Board, Remo Anglican College, Isara-Remo (2004-2008); and Synod Delegate (2002-2005).
Pa Abiodun married his wife of 65 years, Chief (Mrs) Victoria Olaitan Abiodun, on May 10, 1960 and the solemnization was perfected at Ibadan Registry. Hence, the marriage was blessed with four children (two males and two females) — Dapo, Sade, Seye and Seyi.
As the week long carnival-like funeral rites of the uncommon educationist and great community leader, Pa (Dr) Emmanuel Abiodun comes to a close today with his interment within the premises of St. James Anglican Church, Iperu Remo, it’s only instructive for those of us still alive to pick up some salient lessons of service to humanity, humility, patriotism, love for all among others as exemplified by this great yet unassuming iconic ‘Baba Teacher.’ May his loving soul rest in peace.
