ILLUSTRIOUS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ILOBU

                                                     Ogunmupe and his kids

This edition presents a very vibrant, articulate and versatile son of the soil. He is one man created to function in different capacities. He was trained as an Economist, got involved in journalism, participated in politics, taught and administered high schools leaving indelible marks and records worthy of emulation and appreciation at all the places where he worked. He is well traveled, exposed and gifted with the power of oration and writing. No doubt, he is a blessing to his generation and those behind him.

Chief Bayode Olagunju Ogunmupe was born on the 18th of April, 1948 at Ajitapa’s Compound, Isale Imale, Ilobu but grew up with his maternal grandfather; Labanji Amoo Olokunesin of Agboni’s Compound, Ilobu. He attended St Michaels Primary School and completed his Primary education and obtained the School Leaving Certificate in 1960. He proceeded to Oyan Grammar School, Oyan for his Secondary education in 1961 but gained admission into the International School of the University of Ibadan (High School) in 1962. He had his West African School Certificate in 1965 and his Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1967 in flying colours.

After his secondary education, he taught briefly at Oranyan Grammar School, Oyo before gaining admission to the University of Ibadan in 1968. Incidentally, he got a scholarship to study in Geneva Switzerland, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and an MBA in Business Administration in 1973. He had a Diploma in Journalism from the Times Training Centre in 1977. He got another scholarship to pursue a Masters of Science Degree in Public Finance at the London School of Economics, United Kingdom in 1978. In 2008, he added another feat by acquiring a Certificate in Computer Engineering. He also bagged a Certificate in Creative Problem Solving from the International Centre for Studies in Creativity, State University of New York at Buffalo, United States of America in 2015.

Chief Bayode Olagunju Ogunmupe is pictured as a man of too many colours. As a teacher, he taught in several schools and bowed out of the teaching profession as the Principal of Oke-Ibadan High School, Ibadan. As a journalist, he worked as an Editor with Daily Sketch, Nigerian Tribune, Daily Times, Daily Champion and Newswatch. He also worked as a Senior Lecturer at the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Lagos. Chief Bayode Olagunju Ogunmupe also worked in several other media houses and has several publications and books to his credit.

He had tried to contest for several positions in the past with a view to representing his people appropriately in government but his efforts were not successful. He had invested his God given talent, versatility and erudition into Ilobu community and Osun state at its creation.

He was the Publicity Secretary of Ilobu Progressive Union when the Late Ayo Ojewumi was the Chairman and Mr. Lamidi Oyeniyi as the Secretary. He was amongst the IPU executive members that shouldered the establishment of Ilobu Secondary Commercial Grammar School, Ilobu. He was part of the committed and dedicated community leaders that coordinated and rebuilt Ilobu Post Office to give it the status of a Full Departmental Post Office from the old Postal Agency. To get the post office functional, all the leaders involved decided to pay for a box each. He and some other illustrious sons and daughters of Ilobu were instrumental to crowning of the Olobu of Ilobu with a beaded crown by the Alaafin of Oyo; Iku-Baba-Yeye, Alase, Ekeji Orisa ,Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. He was also directly involved in the sitting of Irepodun Local Government in Ilobu.

Chief Bayode Ogunmupe as an Ilobu man was the Assistant Secretary to the Committee for the creation of Osun state in 1990. Chief Sunday Adewusi Chaired the Committee and Chief Kola Balogun was the Secretary. The Committee met five times with the Alaafin presiding over the meetings, Osogbo eventually emerged as the State capital and this dowsed the rift between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Oni of Ife. He and Chief Kola Balogun wrote a pamphlet for proper documentation of the proceedings that culminated into the creation of Osun State and Osogbo as its capital.

Hence, considering his versatility, erudition and service to the people of Ilobu and Osun State, I humbly present Chief Bayode Olagunju Ogunmupe to the whole world for appreciation and recognition as an illustrious son of Ilobu Asake.

Dare Alabi, 
Project Director.

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