Photo Credit: Ologeh Otuke Charles
By Banji Ayoola
At exactly 1.25 pm on Friday, June 2, 2023, the remains of a renowned educationist and foremost Yoruba teacher, Chief Bamidele Olotu were lowered into the earth at his Iro Ekiti, Ekiti State country home.
Chief Olotu who was also a former President of Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba, Ondo State chapter, a former soldier in the Nigerian Army, and the Baba Ewe of Iro Ekiti, passed on on March 18, 2023, at 79.
The solemn graveside ceremony at the cemetery of St Peter’s Anglican Church in the town, which was conducted by clerics from the church, was amid glowing tributes and prayers by his family members and well-wishers.
Leading the tributes train while performing the dust-to-dust rite, his wife, Mrs. Oreoluwa Olotu thanked the deceased for what she described as the sincere love he showed her and her children while alive.
She said that even at death, she still loves her departed husband, and she knew that he still loves her and her children too.
She thanked the deceased, especially for making her comfortable in his home, and prayed for him on his way home.
Then followed the children, who, one after the other, similarly spoke fondly and glowingly of their departed father, and accompanied him with loving prayers and wishes on his journey.
Also at the graveside ceremony, other family members, friends, and well-wishers poured glowing tributes on the deceased and prayed for him and the welfare of his wife and children.
The usually peaceful and quiet Iro Ekiti was literally bursting at its boundaries with the unusual number of guests and well-wishers, who had trooped in on that day, to pay their last respects to the man fondly called “a teacher of teachers”, who, according to testimonies by many, had touched so many lives throughout his earth-life.
Earlier at the church service, the vicar of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Iro Ekiti, Revd Canon P. T. Oguntuase, who delivered the sermon, showered praises on the departed Chief Olotu, who he said, played a leading role in generously supporting and funding the activities of the church while alive.
The expansive church was full to capacity. It was indeed spilling over with guests, some of whom hung around the premises while the service was going on.
At the church service, which was attended also by family members, many groups, and associations in and outside Iro Ekiti, who were dressed in various special uniformed dresses, the Oniro of Iro Ekiti. Oba Afolabi Adeyeba, was represented by his Olori. Some of his chiefs were also in attendance.
The ceremonies were graced by delegations of the Ondo State’s chapter of Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba, which the deceased had served as State President; Federal Government Girls’ College Akure, where he retired as Head of Languages Department; Federal Housing Estate Shagari Village, Akure Zone 3 Residents and Landlords Association, which he had also led; and the 133 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Akure, where he had also served; among numerous other well-wishers.
The funeral programme kicked off on Wednesday, May 31 at his 6, Hilltop Street, Zone 3, Federal Housing Estate, Shagari Village, Akure residence with a Service of Songs during which encomiums were also poured on the departed by his children, family members, his church, Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba and other individuals.
Also at this ceremony, the Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba drama, and dancing troupe staged a special performance in his honour.
Besides, the association, together with other groups and individuals delivered moving orations, and specially composed eulogies in his honour, apart from glowing testimonies by his children, close relatives, neighbours, colleagues, and church.
The choir of his church, The Christ Wonders Chapel, Oshinle Quarters Akure, led the Service and rendered songs specially composed in his honour.
On the following day, Thursday, June 1, the funeral train moved to his Iro Ekiti, Ekiti State home where a Christian wake keep was held at his 20, Araromi Street residence.
This was accompanied by the usual traditional singing and dancing around the town by relatives and well wishers with his photographs while singing his praises and praying for him.
Climaxing the programme on Friday, June 2 after a funeral service at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Iro Ekiti, was the most solemn part of the funeral, his deeply soul-touching interment at the church’s cemetery, which stirred up emotions generally in his family members, relatives, and well-wishers at the graveside, some of whom were sent into a pathos.
This was followed by a grand reception, which painted the picture of a festival, at the Sola Babalola Memorial High School Field, Iro Ekiti nearby.
The funeral was rounded off on Sunday, June 4 with a Thanksgiving Service at Christ Wonders Chapel, Oshinle Quarters, in Akure.
Born at Kajola Quarters at Iro Ekiti, in Ekiti State on July 1, 1944, Chief Bamidele Olotu, struggled from the cradle through the bitter side of life, having lost his father, Pa John Babalola Olotu, three months after his birth, and rose to become an exemplary teacher and a mentor to numerous other human beings.
Thus the duty of financing his education and training fell on his late mother, Mama Janet Ajayi Olotu, who was supported by his senior brother and foster father, the late Dr. Andrew Adeeko Olotu.
The young Bamidele began his formal education in 1950 at St Luke’s School, Iro Ekiti, from where, after two years, he left for St Andrew’s School, Kabba, now in Kogi State. He completed his primary education at St John’s School, Oke Agbe Akoko now in Ondo State.
From here, he proceeded to St Gabriel’s Modern School, Odigbo, now in Ondo State, and after one year, followed his foster father who was a teacher, on transfer to Ondo, now Ondo City.
He attended Jubilee Anglican Secondary Modern School, now Jubilee Comprehensive High School, Ikare Akoko where, in 1960, he bagged his Modern Three Secondary School certificate.
With this certificate, he worked as a teacher at St Peter’s School, Iro Ekiti for two and a half years, after which he gained admission into St John’s Teachers Training College, Owo, where he had his Grade Two Teachers Certificate.
Between 1956 and 1957, he had his GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels while teaching at the St Stephen’s Anglican School, Ikare Akoko.
The then Mr. Olotu taught at this school for three years after which he joined the Education Corps of the Nigerian Army. He was trained at the Lafenwa Army Depot, Abeokuta.
On completing his military training, he was posted to the 133 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Akure, which was later renamed 19 Infantry Brigade, Akure.
Despite the regimental life in the army, the young Bamidele still struggled and gained admission to the University of Ife in 1971, and graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts Education degree in Yoruba. He capped this feat up with a Master’s degree from Nigeria’s premier University, the University of Ibadan.
After his graduation from Ife, he was posted to the defunct Bendel State for his compulsory one-year national service under the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme.
On completion of this service, he joined the Federal Government service and was posted to Ekiti Teachers’ College, Ikere Ekiti. Here, he met his future wife, who incidentally shared the same surname with him, the then Miss Oreoluwa Olotu.
In September 1981, after teaching for five years in the college, he was transferred to the Federal Government Girls’ College, FGGC, Akure, where he served as the Head of the Department of Languages, and worked meritoriously for 35 years before retiring voluntarily in December 2001.
Chief Olotu, who spoke flawless Yoruba and was usually dressed in complete formal Yoruba wears with a cap to match, exemplarily warm, friendly, accommodating, and sociable, was a former President of Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba.
He served as the Financial Secretary of the association in Ondo State from 1976 for many years before being elected its State President.
As the leader of the association, he initiated many programmes that rapidly increased its membership, and lifted its status such that the association has now become a shining chapter participating in many socio-cultural activities nationwide together with the national body.
For instance, through his leadership, Egbe Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba participated in the production of Yoruba Gbode magazine.
As a seasoned scholar, he participated in the international moderation of WAEC subjects.
Besides, Chief Olotu, a team leader, was the author and Editor-in-chief of many publications promoting the teaching of Yoruba.
Fondly described as “a teacher of teachers who earned a great respect among peers and the young ones”, he also autographed a bilingual Christian hymn book that is widely used in Nigeria and beyond.
Passionate about matters concerning his hometown, he served as the convener of Peak Club which was a rallying point for others; and Chairman, Iro Grammar School Board of Governors.
In 1995, he and his wife were conferred with the chieftaincy titles of Baba Ewe and Iya Ewe of Iro Ekiti. He was also the Baba Ijo of Christ Wonders Chapel, Akure.
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Oreoluwa Olotu and children, Mrs. Yinka Lawani, Mr. Abimbola Olotu, Mrs. Damilola Babalola, Mr. Dapo Olotu, and Dr. Mrs. Ifeoluwa Adekoya.
Photographs by Ologeh Otuke Charles
