A WOMAN OF INESTIMABLE VALUE – MRS. MODUPE JULIANA BABATOLA (NEE ADEYEMI) – THE FIRST YEYE ONIGEGEARA OF IBADAN LAND !
By Femi Alufa
The authorities of the royal palace of His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Olakulehin I), the Olubadan of Ibadanland have announced their intention to honour a lady of substance and high integrity – a mother and grandmother, teacher, mentor and astute scholar – Mrs. Modupe Juliana Babatola (née Adeyemi) as the first Yeye Onigegeara of Ibadan land.
Mrs. Babatola, who is the spouse of Dr. Jadesola Babatola is the last daughter of a renowned educator and scientist, farmer, oil magnate, community leader and retired school principal – Chief Joshua Adeyemi (aka Ayemi), (1908-1975) the Jagun of Ora-Igbomina in Osun State.
Chief Adeyemi who resettled in Ado-Ekiti was originally from Oro Onikoyi Igbomina in Kwara State with the mother being a Princess of Ora Igbomina in Osun State. He was one of the earliest builder of storey buildings in Ado-Ekiti in the colonial era and founded one of first petrol station in the town and other parts of Ekiti State. He was renowned to own a vast portion of farmlands and cattle farms at Ofin and Erinfun, Ado-Ekiti in his heydays. He was the first African Vice-Principal of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti under Rev. Canon Mason after serving as a Teacher in the school for many years. He later served as the Principal of Oduduwa College in Ile-Ife before his retirement. He was the first graduate teacher from Oro in Kwara State and a friend of Chief Obafemi Awolowo among many other bigwigs in Nigeria.
Modupe’s mother – Mrs. Ebun Adeyemi-Ogidan (nee Adeleye (1942-2015) was the daughter of a church and community leader – Pa Adeleye of Iworoko Ekiti. In her heydays, she was school leaver, who worked as an office clerk, trader and businesswoman at different times before and after she married.
Modupe Babatola who was born at Ado-Ekiti about 57 years ago, attended Ajitadidun Nursery & Primary School, Ado-Ekiti in the early 70s before moving to Ora and Ada in Osun State and Akure in Ondo State for her secondary school and higher school certificate education. She worked for few years as a chemist in training at Ibadan before undertaking a certificate course in secretarial studies and then relocating to Lagos to work as an office secretary.
With the deep quest for higher academic achievements, she entered Ondo State University (now EKSU) in 1990 to study languages and curriculum studies in the Faculty of Education and later graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. She thereafter participated in the National Youth Service Corps and served as a Sub-Editor at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Thereafter she taught at Vale College Bodija Ibadan and moved to St Louis Girls Grammar School, Mokola Ibadan as a Teacher. She also taught at Jericho High School Ibadan before joining the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission and was deployed to teach in Secondary Schools like Liberty Academy, Kolomi, Odo-Ona Elewe; Our Lady of Apostles Odo Ona and Celestial High School, Imalefalaafia, Ibadan.
Many years later as a working mother and teacher, she obtained a Master’s degree in Language Education from the same university. She later enrolled for PhD but was unable to complete the program due to challenges of life. To establish herself as a woman of substance, Modupe Babatola was child mentor and a teacher in several secondary schools at Ibadan and briefly in Ekiti before she moved into the tertiary education sector. She was a teacher at Ibadan before moving to Ekiti State.
Her desire to pursue a better career led to her trying hands on business before eventually joining Polytechnic administration. She subsequently started a LLB Law degree program which she eventually completed in record time. To establish herself as a teacher, a scholar and legal counsel, she enrolled for a postgraduate at ABUAD, though unable to complete the program before relocating to Canada.
Mrs. Babatola has worked at different times as a Lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe Bayelsa before moving briefly to Ajayi Crowther University as an academic staff. She left Nigerian shores due to various challenges and the need to explore a more secured and better future. Today, she’s working in Canada while pursuing professional calling and career on the path of self rediscovery, self awareness and self development.
Mrs. Babatola is a friend, a mother and a sister to the husband and the children. She remains a great hard worker and consentious personality who will not leave any stone unturned to achieve positive results in her work environment and career.
As a woman of honour and integrity, Mrs. Babatola consistently stood by the husband in his career progression and successes. Hence, she deserves the honour bestowed upon her as the first Yeye Onigegeara of Ibadan in support of the invaluable contributions of the husband – Dr. Jadesola Babatola towards the enrichment of traditional political history and culture in Yorubaland, and her personal efforts and dedication as a teacher of many years in Ibadan land towards building the leaders of tomorrow.
The honourary chieftaincy title of the Yeye Onigegeara of Ibadan will be conferred on Mrs. Modupe Babatola during the 90th birthday anniversary of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan, between 4th July and 13th July, 2025 at the New Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
Congratulations to our dear sister, Mrs. Babatola – the new chieftaincy title holder of Yeye Onigegeara of Ibadan land – a cap that fits. May her honourary title be worthy celebration.
Modupe Babatola Yeye Onigegeara ti Ile Ibadan,…*
Oye a mori O ooo.
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