By; Waheed Ogunjobi
Chief Bisiriyu Afolabi Ogunjobi had a remarkable life, from his humble beginnings to his achievements in the fields of education, accounting, business administration and community service. He was a true leader and contributor to society, and his legacy will surely be remembered for generations to come.
Popular with the sobriquet B.A Ogunjobi, he is of the Olapekun Compound, Ijemo Abeokuta. Born to Pa Momodu and Madam Efunronke Ogunjobi on 28th November,1940 at Nlemo Village in Obafemi Owode Local Government of Ogun State,his pregnancy was almost a shame for his mother, Efunronke.
The reason for this was not far-fetched. Her eldest sibling was already a mother when she discovered that she was pregnant with Bisiriyu. Nevertheless, she carried the pregnancy and she even had him as a tiny baby, whom many feared might not even survive childhood. Were it to be in this modern day, his mother would have been advised to abort his pregnancy. This clearly lend credence to the fact that he was a child of destiny by reason of his birth and by circumstances of his growing up which was equally dramatic.
His growing up was also eventful. He had been a child that understood the value of money right from childhood. Due to the humble family he came from, he had learnt the tricks of making money from childhoo . Little wonder he ended up being an Accountant later in life. He often tells the story of how he would travel to Nlemo Village where his parents were resident. While he was schooling in Abeokuta, he would go back to the village to gather woods and bring to Abeokuta to sell to make some money with which he used to fend for himself. Sometimes, he would go to the farm to cultivate "moinmoin leaves", which he would also take to town to sell.
Not done, sometimes, he would engage in the gathering of palm kernel fruits called "Ekuro", which are normally cracked to sell and make some little money. All these and several of its kinds were some of the menial vocations he engaged in to see himself through school. Isn't it surprising that that hewer of woods of those years later grew up to become a reckoning force?
Young Bisiriyu started his Primary School Education at St.Stephen Anglican Primary School Nlemo in the year 1946. Between 1949 to 1953, he proceeded to St.Johns School Igbein Abeokuta and later attended St.Johns School, Kuto Abeokuta where he studied to complete his Standard Six
Education after which he obtained his first School Leaving Certificate.
Young, ambitious and energetic Bisiriyu in 1954 went to Lagos to explore his next line of action. He returned to Abeokuta that same year to continue to chart his future path.
Still trying to find his feet in life, in 1955 he got a teaching appointment and was posted to Someke Village in Owode local government where he taught for some time before he was posted to Obafemi also in Obafemi owode local government in 1957.
To consolidate his teaching career, which was common among his peers then, he left the job to attend Egba Divisional Teacher Training College between 1958 and1959 and subsequently became a trained and certificated teacher.
He was thereafer posted to EDC School Aregba Abeokuta in 1960 and was transferred to Akintola Village EDC School as Head Master. Also in 1960, he was transferred from Akintola to EDC School Obantoko also as Head Master in 1961.
In search of greener pasture, Chief Ogunjobi left the shore of the country for the United Kingdom to further his education, specifically to Birmingham in England.
In 1963, he attended Hall Green Technical College, Birmingham and sat for the Preliminary Examination Certificate of the Charted Institute of Secretaries and passed at one sitting. In 1964 and 1965 he attended the City of Birmingham College of Commerce, now Aston University for the Intermediate Examination Certificate of the Institute. In the same school, he studied and passed the final examinations parts I II and III in 1967.
In 1968 he left Birmingham, England and returned to Nigeria to contribute his quota to the nation which was fragile then, having obtained independence in 1960. While in Nigeria, he worked with the firm of Egunjobi Sulaimon & Co,Chartered Accountants in Lagos as Audit staff. In 1969,he returned to London, worked in various organizations and became an Associate Member of the Institute in 1970.
He also attended North London Polytechnic to study for the Examination of the Institute of Cost and works Accountants between 1970 and 1971.
His love for his fatherland took him back to Nigeria.Thus, in 1972, he returned finally to Nigeria and was at Ibadan with Akinmade & Co Chartered Accountants for some time. In 1973, he left Ibadan for Lagos and was employed as an Accountant with Bitumen Asphalt and Engineering Co Ltd. Apapa Lagos.
Between 1974 and 1975 he worked with Egba Development and Investment Co Ltd as Executive Assistant and later as Company Secretary before he resigned.
He then joined the Ogun State Housing Corporation as a Pioneer Head of Internal Audit Department, a post he resigned after a year.
Between 1977 and 1979 he worked with W.A.Sonde Group of Companies as Chief Accountant. He left and set up his Private Practice of B.A. Ogunjobi & Co Chartered Secretaryship Practitioners, Accountants and Management Consultants. He was until his death the Chief Consultant of that firm.
Between 1976 to 1985 he was the Honorary Secretary of the Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce and Industry.He later became Honorary Life Vice President. At the Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce his image looms large, especially as one of the pioneer members.
As the pioneer Honorary Secretary of the Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce, he authored a book titled:" History of Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce which was launched on 20th May, 1999; an event which was chaired by the then Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oyebade Lipede and had Chief Mrs Alaba Lawson(late) who later played prominent role at the Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce and Industry as guest of honour.
He was a member of the Abeokuta Improvement Association founded by the late Chief Simeon Adebo, former first Agent General to the United Nations and the Okanlomo of Egbaland.
A widely travelled and well read man, Chief B.A Ogunjobi is a Fellow of the Chartered institute of Secretaries, FCIS with membership number 56986; Fellow of the Certified Internal Auditors, FCIA; Fellow of the Institute of Company and Commercial Accountants, FCCA, and a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, MNIM (Chartered). He is also a member of the Corporation of Secretaries having sat for and passed the Preliminary, intermediate and final examinations of the body. He is also a member of the Book Keepers.
A member of the Nigerian Association of Practicing Company Secretaries was at the Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria conferred with the 1997 highest distinguished Award. Also, he was issued a certificate of Award in these respects: Professional Fellowship Award of the institute;Distinguished and Meritorous Service Medal;Certified and Disingished guru in business and Trade during the institite's 22nd year anniversary.
Through his Private firm, B.A Ogunjobi & Co,he was Company Secretary, Accountant, Administrator, Internal Auditor and what have you to a number of notable company including S& D Farms, owned by the late Chief Aderupoko Femi Coker, who was his friend and contemporary, AGI, Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce, Egba Medical Centre, Egba Onikolobo Micro Finance Bank among others. He was also the Founder, Egba Brothers and Sisters CTCS Ltd. His colleague as an administrator include Chief Bola Ajibola and a host of others. Also, he audited Chief Femi and Dotun Oyewole's ABEOSEC and The Oyewole Twins International School.
Other firms he audited in the 80s/90s include kabiotire Star Loaf, P. Sunny Enterprises among others.
Some of his friends and Associates include the late former Deputy Governor, Chief Adeolu Balogun, Alhaji Junaid, Chief Femi Jolaoso, owner of Fajol Hotel, Chief Femi Coker, just to mention a few. At a time, he was listed in the "Who Is Who In Egbaland".
A Community man to the core, Chief B.A Ogunjobi was the founder of Nlemo Community Leaders Assembly. Sometimes back, he used his influence to bring his friend the former Deputy Governor of Ogun State Alhaji Adeolu Balogun of blessed memory to launch the Agogo-Ide Community Development Association, Obantoko his place of abode where he was pioneer and serving chairman for close to 15 years.
Chief Ogunjobi holds a Chieftaincy title of Okanlomo Olorogun of ljemo. He was married with children and several grand children.
Overall, Chief Ogunjobi's life is an inspiration to many, and his achievements serve as a testament to his dedication, perseverance, and passion for making a positive impact in the world.
According to Henry Wadsworth Long Fellow in a popular poem, "the heights that great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight,But they, while their companions slept were toiling upward in the night. This was indeed true of Chief Bisiriyu Afolabi Ogunjobi.
The quote highlights the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in achieving greatness. The quote suggests that success is not achieved overnight, but rather through consistent effort and toil, even when others may not be watching.
Indeed, Chief Bisiriyu Afolabi Ogunjobi's life story is a testament to this quote. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a respected accountant, businessman, and community leader is a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work and determination.
His accomplishments serve as a reminder that success is not solely dependent on natural ability or talent, but rather on the effort and dedication one puts into their craft. Chief Ogunjobi's legacy continues to inspire and motivate others to strive for excellence, just as the quote inspires us to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity.
Adieu Chief B.A Ogunjobi.
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