OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT APPROVES THE APPOINTMENT OF PRINCE LAWRENCE JAIYEOBA ADEBAJO AS THE ORIMOLUSI OF IJEBU IGBO.

The Executive Council of Ogun State has approved the appointment of Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo as the new Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo effective 16th February, 2022.

By this appointment, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo has become a member of the Ijebu Traditional Council and a permanent member representing the Ijebu Traditional Council at the Ogun State Council of Obas.

In a statement signed by Mr. Adesoji Adewuyi, Director, Chieftaincy Affairs, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the State Government, on behalf of the good people of the entire State, congratulates the new Orimolusi and wish him good health, long life and many years of peaceful and prosperous reign.

This development ends the over twenty-seven years legal battle for the throne of The Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo. From feelers, the town is already agog with celebrations awaiting the arrival of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo.

Otunba Femi Dinah, The Chairman, Orimolusi Coronation Committee expressed satisfaction on the progress made so far and promised to release an all-encompassing Coronation anniversary programme shortly. He has assured that the anniversary will be grand, considering the fact that the good people of Ijebu-Igbo had waiting so long for this positive development to happen.

Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo can be described as a man of destiny. He is proudly from the male Royal lineage of Ojuromi from Oke Tako in Ijebu Igbo. Sired by parents, Prince Tanimowo Adebajo and Mama Safuratu Adebajo (Nee Aderibigbe/JB.King) from Atikori, he was born on the 11th day of November, 1953 in Fowoseje, a remote village in Ijebu Igbo.

A good education, it is said, is the foundation for a better future. Young Prince Jayeoba with, a burning desire to get educated, started his elementary education at St. Bridget Catholic Primary School, Fowoseje and, at age twelve, completed his primary education with merits. He enrolled at St Vincent Catholic Secondary Modern School, Oke Sopen, Ijebu Igbo in 1966 and equally completed his Modern School education in 1968.

Fate however played a fast one on him as his Dad could no longer afford to pay his fees through to Secondary School. Painful as it was, Prince Jayeoba chose to make lemonade from the lemon life’s circumstances threw at him. He was determined to, not only develop himself but, ensure he turned out to be a success in his life endeavours. He embarked on a lot of personal training and development exercises. He became dedicated towards achieving his goals and such dedication and relentlessness eventually paid off.

Through his late father’s wise counsel, he started his career in Transportation business by joining a Transport Company located in Ibadan. As the saying goes, a star that is determined to shine cannot be hidden, not even by darkness. The budding youngster, Prince Jayeoba performed so well, breaking records in his assigned duty that a Luxury Bus Transport Company from Lagos, ICOC poached and brought him to Lagos in February 15, 1975. He resumed duty as a Transport Officer and soon learnt a lesson of life through his then Managing Director, Mr. InfeayinChucku Osondu who later became the Igwe of Umulolo, Okigwe, Imo State.

It was at the end of year party of the company in 1975, and his MD told his story of grass to grace. A steady growth from motor boy, to Danfo Driver to Transport officer and vehicle owner and eventually owned fleet of vehicles. This prepared him for the challenges ahead and equipped him with all that was needed to succeed in life as he ventured into Transportation business. With this insight from his boss, he started saving from monthly salary.

On December 24, 1977, Prince Jaiyeoba bought his first new car which unfortunately got burnt after the second day of purchase.
As one who would not allow setbacks to set him back. He quickly remembered the admonitions of his Boss and realized that even the accomplished suffers setbacks sometimes. The more bitter the lessons, the greater the successes will be. With zeal and determination for success Prince Jayeoba forged ahead.

In 1979, while still working for ICOC, he started making effort through personal contacts towards buying his first luxury Bus on hire purchase from a company owned then by Alhaji Saidu Gomina at Osogbo.

He eventually achieved his goal and bought a bus through a monthly payment that was spread for a period of 30 months. As a fair-minded man of conscience who would not want a clash of interest between his Boss and him, he resigned as a Workshop Manager and
started his own transport business which was later registered as L.A TANMO & Sons on August 1,1984; a business name he coined from his father’s name “Tanimowo”.

It is on record that he completed payment for the bus in a record time of 10 months. He was thereafter introduced to a company in Lagos and he got a luxury bus which he also completed its payment in 8 months.

The management of the company was so impressed at his performance and he was offered another Bus of which he also completed payment in 7 months. This was how his business grew and he became a proud owner of a fleet of buses.

The best, they say, will never rest. His company explored other frontiers and succeeded in securing a deal with Lagos State Waste Water Management Office (LSWMO) as an accredited Transport Company for the organization. With years of unblemished service to LSWMO, he was offered a Facility Management contract. Due to the company’s prudent and transparent management process, he was given a commendation letter by the Agency last year, having performed meritoriously for over 12 years. His facility management contract with LSWMO is still valid till date.

No doubt, Prince Jayeoba is a successful and accomplished entrepreneur who before the age of 40, built his houses in Aledo Oke Agbo Ijebu Igbo and in Okota Lagos.

Prince Lawrence Jayeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo is a humble, noble, God-fearing and compassionate personality who is ready to help people rise above challenges. He has been able to assist many people through educational, business and financial support in various ways. He has helped people setup businesses and even stood as guarantors for those who needed huge financial assistance. To the glory of God, some of those he has assisted have become a success story today. His joy is seeing people celebrating successes around him.

A silent achiever, Prince Lawrence Jayeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo has to his credit a lot of anonymous donations. To him, he would want God to take Glory for enabling him to touch lives in various ways. His philanthropic activities earned him the title of Balogun Ijo of St. Peters Catholic Church, Oke Sopen, Ijebu Igbo where he serially donated toward the construction of the church and the purchase of Choir Robes.
He was responsible for the installation of Windows to a 2 Story Building in Holy Angel Catholic Church, Oke Agbo. He also donated generously towards the construction of Catholic Church in Ukpenu, near Ekpoma, Edo State without forgetting his community, Ijebu Igbo.
Apart from his various community support gestures, he also donated a complete set
of Musical Equipment to Christian Association of Nigeria, Ijebu North
Several community support at Oke Tako, Oke Sopen and Aledo, Oke Agbo where he has his house and even in Lagos where he resides.

Prince Jayeoba is not one that discriminates against religious leanings. This is evident in his contributions towards the renovation of several mosques in his neighbourhood. He recently received an award from a mosque in Okota, Lagos, his area of residence, for assisting in renovating the mosque.

In his local community, Prince Jaiyeoba was at various times the Secretary, Treasurer and the Chairman of his Community Development Association in Okota, Lagos. He was Chairman for several years before he voluntarily pulled out to allow others to contribute their quota towards the growth of the community.

Call him a reluctant candidate to the throne of Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, you will evidently find in him a man of impeccable character who keep to his words and maintain his integrity in all his dealings. However, fate has entrusted this exalted position on him and through faith he believes and states “if my ascension to the throne will uplift my dear town, Ijebu Igbo, so be it.” Now, we have a man who is genuinely committed towards the growth of his town, Ijebu Igbo.

Prince Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo is married to Mrs. Bolanle Mary Adebajo, an Entrepreneur from Osan Ekiti, Moba Local Government of Ekiti State and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.

Press release by:
Jide Seun Fowode
Special Adviser to Orimolusi-elect on
Media & Strategy