It was an outpour of tributes for Oba Moses Oyinlola, late Olokuku of Okuku who died 60 years ago.
At the anniversary of the late monarch, the father of a former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, held at the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo on February 24, 2020, notable dignitaries, traditional rulers, captains of industries, historians, scholars, students and several cultural promoters brought the memories of the deceased monarch to life.
The character and achievements of the late traditional ruler Oyinlola were lauded as he was described as an epitome of discipline and unusual behaviour.
Speaking, the guest lecturer gave well loaded slides and examined the true nature of Oba Moses Oyinlola.
The Center’s Executive Director of Center for Culture and Inter, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso urged people to emulate the kindness of the late monarch and work towards achieving greatness in life.
Oyeweso, who is a professor of history, highlighted the life of the late monarch, which according to him can be read in a book titled “Every inch a King”.
He said “Olokuku’s contribution to the establishment of the Osogbo Grammar School that was initiated by the Ataoja of Osogbo led to the creation of four houses in 1951 namely Olokuku, Akirun, Ataoja and Timi according to Osogbo Grammar School Website.
“The name was Osogbo United Grammar School before it was later changed to Osogbo Grammar School because of the love for the community.
“The relationship between Ulli Beier and Olokuku birthed Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding that is of benefit to all of us today,” Oyeweso added.
Also commenting, Mr Basit olalekan, said Oba Moses did not go through formal education but illustrated a sense of intelligence through denoting birth date of his children, taking the records of event while in the throne. He also emphasised that he was an agent of intellect without being educated.
The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abobarin contributed to the living legacy of Oba Oyinlola, as he narrated the performance of the the late Olokuku as a man of impact and a developer who made people in many professions.
Oba Oyinlola, who reigned not only as the Paramount ruler of Okuku kingdom but walked the greatest path through his exposure within and outside Nigeria to project the town ‘Okuku’ to the world between 1934 – 1960 in Okuku local government of Osun State.
Enumerating parts of late Olokuku’s achievements, Orangun of Oke Ila said “given the trust reposed on him to reign over them, Moses embarked on a reformist agenda that turned around the fortune and future of Okuku for many years to come.
“On Educational Development, several primary schools were established in Okuku during his reign among which are: St Michael’s Primary School (1942), St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Primary School (1944), Oyekunle District Council School (1955), Oyinlola District Council School (1955) among others.
“He secured for both Oyekunle and Oyinlola Schools the Western Nigeria Free Primary Education project. Provided a piece of land to the Anglican Church in Okuku, Ijabe, Ekusa and Iyeku to build the popular United Primary School. He visited Ibadan severally to seek audience with the colonial authorities on the need for a secondary school in Okuku. In 1960, the final approval was given and Odo-Otin Grammar School was born in Okuku.
One of the lasting legacies of Oba Moses in the area of education was the active role he played in the establishment of the first secondary school in the Osun area.
“He convinced several notable Obas such as Oba Samuel Adenle (Ataoja of Osogbo), Oba Adetoyese Laoye (Timi of Ede) and Oba Lawani Adeyemi (Akirun of Ikirun) who pulled their combined resources together and with contributions from well-meaning personalities, Osogbo Grammar School was born in 1951.
“He facilitated the construction and completion of a motorable road between Okuku and Offa. Although communally made and initiated by his predecessor, Oba Moses committed enormous resources to see the project come to fruition. He was able to secure a radio service and postal agency for the town,” he narrated.
Oba Abobarin said “In this 21st century, don’t lose hope on monarch. Monarchs are intelligent and knowledgeable people. I was inside for 12 calendar months before I was crown as king of Orangun of Oke-Ila.“
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