ILLUSTRIOUS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ILOBU, 21st EDITION
Chief Stephen Ayoade Ojewumi, was born to the family of Mr and Mrs Adedapo Amoo Ojewumi of Oloso’s Compound, Ilobu in July, 1936. He had his primary education at United Central School and completed it at All Saints Primary School, Osogbo. He could not proceed to secondary school because of the poor financial status of his parents. He had to strive, work and study privately. He passed his GCE Ordinary Level in 1958 and Advanced Level in 1959. With this, he was opportune to attend a 9 months course in Journalism in the United Kingdom under the auspices of the Commonwealth Press Union in 1966. He later gained admission to the University of Ife in 1968 to study law and graduated in 1971. He was called to bar in 1972.
In search for a greater tomorrow, Chief Stephen Ayoade Ojewumi, taught briefly at Olubi Primary School, Ibadan and various mission schools between 1948 and 1950. He also worked as a trade unionist with Ibadan Motor Owners’ Union between 1951 and 1955.
In 1960, he secured employment with an American News Agency and later with a West African News Services as a senior reporter to cover Ibadan and later Jos. And in 1962, he became an Editor with the Nigerian Tribune. As Editor with the Nigerian Tribune, he was humiliated, harassed, brutalized, detained and sentenced. He was one of, if not the most detained and jailed journalist of his time. As a journalist, he was so versatile, innovative and prolific that he earned for himself a popular appellation in Nigeria; “Pen Atalanta”.
Chief Stephen Ayoade Ojewumi was a dependable, honest, loyal and reliable member of the Action Group until 1966 when the party was proscribed. He was also a founding member of the proscribed Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). Having carried out different assignments for his political party, he was entrusted with the Chairmanship position of Osogbo Local Governmen when Irepodun was part of it between 1974 and 1975. At the creation of Irepodun Local Government in 1976, he was unanimously elected by councilors as the Pioneer Chairman of Irepodun Local Government. In July, 1979, he contested and won the Parliamentary election to the Oyo State House of Assembly on the ticket of the Unity Party of Nigeria to represent Irepodun Constituency IV. In October, 1979, the administration of Bola Ige (as the Governor of Oyo State) appointed him as the Commissioner for Agriculture and natural Resources, a position he held till September, 1983. He was detained at the Agodi Prison between 1984 and 1985 following the military coup led by General Muhammed Buhari in December, 1983.
No doubt, Chief Stephen Ayoade Ojewumi, devoted his entire life to the service of Ilobu Community. He was always at the forefront of any communityl agitation and led an exemplary life worthy of commendation and emulation. Unfortunately, he died on the 15th day of February, 1991 after a protracted illness, leaving only his two buildings; one in Ilobu and the other in Ibadan as assets for his wife and children.
With due reference to his bedside note when he was down with illness, written and signed by him on the 10th day of December, 1990, he confirmed that he had nothing in his bank account and challenged his wife and children to be equal to the task ahead and be good ambassadors of Ilobu and Nigeria. May he rest eternally in peace, amen!
In recognition of Chief Stephen Ayoade Ojewumi outstanding contributions to the growth of Ilobu community and service to humanity all through his life time, I therefore humbly submit and present him posthumously to the whole world as an illustrious son of Ilobu Asake.
Dare Alabi,
Project Director.
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