OBITUARY: Chief Festus Akinola

 

Chief Festus Akanbi Akinola, born Mudashiru Akinola, died in the early hours of Friday, February 2, 2018 aged 82. He served in the public service as a renowned teacher in the old Osun District of present Osun State, retired as a senior educational supervisor in the 80s.

He was born in the Fagbure’s Compound of Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local government to late Pa Salaawu and Madam Suwebatu Akinola, both of blessed memory. He had his early Primary School in Holy Cross Catholic School, Ikire where he became popular with the Catholic priests of those days that he was offered scholarship for further studies.

Chief Festus Akinola was the third of the siblings, Uztaz Salimonu, Uztaz Alhaji Tijjani, Madam Abibatu and Madam Amudatu all of blessed memory. Other siblings are Chief Mufutau Ishola Akinola, (father of Ayo Moshood Aki nola, an SSA to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun), as well as Chief Simeon Shuiab Ashamu Akinola, a retired Airforce Officer.

Born on June 2, 1930, he started primary education in January 1947 and passed out with primary leaving certificate in 1955. He attended St. John Teacher Training College between 1958 and 1959 and graduated with Grade 3 teacher certificate.

HE also attended St. Leo’s Teachers College, Abeokuta, Ogun State between 1962 and 1963; and attended Project Time, Yaba, Lagos from 1978 to 1979 where he graduated with Grade 1 Certificate in Education.

His working experience either as a teacher and Head master are as follows: St Joseph’s RCM School Apomu, 1956-1958; St Richard’s RCM School, Oloba, January 1960- December 1960; St. Attractas RCM School, Iwata, January 1961- December 1961; St. Anthony Secondary Modern School, Iwo, now St. Anthony Grammar School, Iwo, 1964-1965; St. Augustine RCM School, Iwo 1966-1970; St. Nicholas RCM School, Otan Ayegbaju 1970-1974; and St. Barnabas Anglican School, Apomu, 1974-1975. Others are St Julius RCM School, Temidire, Owu 1975-1976; ADC Primary School, Mokore 2,1976-1978; St David Anglican School, Ikoyi 1979-1980; Fatima College Ikire, 1980-1985; CAC School, Sanngo, Ikire, 1985-1988, Holy Cross Catholic School, Ikire 1980-1990

He retired from teaching service in 1990

He got married to Mrs Theresa Abiodun Akinola in 1965.

His social activities include, President of Ilupeju Cooperative Thrift and Credit Society, Ikire; President Ikire Club 80; President Fagbure, Ibiduni Cooperative Thrift Society; former Chairman, Headmaster’s Association of Irewole Local Government; Patron, Oredegbe C. T.C.S. Ikire; former Chairman of Fatima College PTA  Forum; Member, Orisunbare CTCs Society, Ikire; Member Board of Governing Council of Fatima College, Ikire and St Augustine Commercial Grammar School, Ikire

He was installed Baraleye of Ikire in 1994 and was member of Akire in Council

He travelled to Jerusalem in 2010 on Holy Pilgrimage.

He was blessed with children: Mrs Oluyemisi Christiana Ogunmekan, Engr. Olusegun Sunday Akinola, Mr. Nicholas Olusola Akinola, Mr. Olukayode Sylvester  Akinola, Mrs. Oludayo Cecelia Olaoye, Mrs. Olubunmi  Comfort Owolabi, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Cecelia  Olaniyan and Mr. Felix Ademola Akinola.