An iroko tree fell in my family yesterday (30th November 2023). The Fadairo royal family of Amororo Ruling House, Owu-Abeokuta got the news that its olori-ebi (family head) has departed to reunite with our progenitors.
Pa Olaniyi Akinola Shogaolu (8th February 1940 to 30th November 2023) was a family man to be admired. Even in his later years when his sight failed him and he couldn’t move around as much as he desired, he was still looking over all of us. His telephone network must have rated him among its top subscribers. His routine calls to family members are as often as fortnightly. And when there is an activity to prepare for, or an issue to resolve, be prepared to hear from him more than often.
One of his pains in the closing years of his life was not been able to join us at our quarterly meeting and new year family fair. To make up for that, he would do a video call to deliver his wise inputs and touch base with everyone at the gathering. So, in a sense, he never missed our activities.
For decades, he made Ibadan his base. In deference to his advanced age, we would elect to hold critical meetings at his Ibadan residence. But on several occasions, he would be in Lagos even without giving a hint that he was on his way.
When an issue that troubled my heart came up a few days after losing my son, Adeyinka in February 2021, I proposed that my nuclear family and selected members of our unit of Fadairo Descendants be in Ibadan to discuss and iron out the matter. He bluntly declined that proposal, explaining he was the only one in Ibadan, while the rest of us are in Lagos and its environs. He insisted that the meeting be held at my residence. Not minding the challenges, he made his way to Lagos and back.
Whatever you plan to do in the Jolaade unit (our primary constituency), and the entire Fadairo Descendants will turn out well and successful as long as you have his buy-in. He was that highly respected.
Agba man (loosely translated ‘king of boys’), Baba lived life to the fullest. In his youthful years, and up to middle age, he was the life of social activities. He made extra efforts to be at most functions and lighten them up. Always dapper and lively, why won’t the women love him!?
Baba loved football with passion; his favourite club was Manchester United. Until he lost his sight, he rarely watched the games of that English Premier League team at home, but at viewing centres. He blended with the youths and earned the moniker, Baba Man U. If you’re trying to locate his residence and you got stuck somewhere within his community, you might be further lost if you mentioned his name to those helping you out. But, at the mention of Baba Man U, many of them would volunteer to lead you to his house.
He was loved not just by his family, but by his community and the church. When he was honoured at his church some weeks ago, it was as if the whole of Ibadan turned out to join his family from far and near in the celebration.
No doubt, his was a larger-than-life shoes. It would be so difficult to fill. At 83, he is not too young to go through life’s departure lounge. But many family members can’t resist shedding tears because of the impact we all know this exit will have on us individually and collectively. Our unifier has gone home!
Pa Olaniyi Akinola Shogaolu, son of Late Mama Obiyomi Shogaolu-Pacheco, grandson of Late Mama Jolaade Akintunde-Aiku, great grandson of Late Princess Adesola Fadairo of Ile-Ele Isale, Owu-Abeokuta, Prince from the Amororo Royal Family. sun re ooo!!!
Omo Olowu oduru
Omo a ji fegbe sere
Owu kii ranro, sugbon
Sugbon, awii menu kuro ni t’Owu
Popondo l’ara Owu nje
aje f’ajaga bo’run
Awa l’omo Olowu iji
Omo Olowu Oduru
Awa l’omo asunkungbade
Aforogboye
Atewo lafi gboye l’Owu tiwa
Awa l’omo amolese bi alari
Alari molese ti nwole omo
Oba nile aro
Bi ase to lansoge to
Bi baba wa se lowo to lansoge to
Omo Owu ki ran oro
Awimenu kuro nt’Owu
Awa l’omo woyira ka ma ba ra erukeru
Nitori erukeru ama bi lala lenu
Owu l’a ko da o
Bi e d’owu e beere wo
Owu l’ako da o
Bi e de’fe e bere wo o
Owu l’ako da o
Bi e de’le e kaa ‘tan wo
