CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PA SIMEON ADEYEMI ASHIRU (1904–1996): A DISTINGUISHED IJEBU STATESMAN COMMUNITY BUILDER APOSTLE OF EDUCATION ON THE 30TH MEMORIAL ANNIVERSARY

Pa Simeon adeyemi ashiru Born on 1 January 1904 at Idepo Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, to Ashiru Bada Okenla Ogunnusi and Madam Sinatu Adefowoba Ashiru (Mama Alaro)—a renowned dyer and textile trader of Imushin—he rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most influential and respected figures in Ijebuland in the 20th century.

Known for most of his long life as Alhaji Saka Ashiru, he was a man of extraordinary discipline, organisation, intellect, and service. His life story reads like a bridge between eras—traditional and modern, commerce and public service, Islam and Christianity, lineage and legacy.

*THE MAN IJEBU CALLED “SAKA”: A LIFE OF STRUCTURE, ORDER, SERVICE. INTEGRITY, IMPACT AND SUBSTANCE*
For most of his long and eventful life, he was known across Ijebuland as Alhaji Saka Ashiru—a man whose integrity was as visible as his influence.
He became a pillar in public life—serving on, chairing, and strengthening multiple boards and committees touching education, health, establishment matters, school governance, and civic administration—the kind of man people called when society needed stability, fairness, and results.
Pa Ashiru was educated at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, belonging to the historic 1918 set, at a time when Western education was rare and highly prized. This early exposure shaped a lifelong conviction: education was the single most important inheritance a parent could give a child.

A respected public servant, Pa Ashiru served with distinction as Chief Tax Officer and Senior Accountant in Ijebu Province, earning the affectionate sobriquets “Saka Onírísíti” and “Ashiru Onírísíti”—a nod to his meticulous accounting skills and incorruptible integrity. After retiring from public service in 1952, he did not retreat into quiet life. Instead, he expanded his impact, devoting himself fully to community leadership.

He served with distinction at various times as:
• Chairman of multiple Education, Health, Establishment, and School Boards
• Manager of all Ijebu Muslim Primary Schools
• Chairman, Board of Governors, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, and its PTA
• Board Member, Adeola Odutola Comprehensive College
• Chairman, Ijebu Mushin Education Mission
• Judicial Member, Rent Tribunal, Ministry of Justice, Ijebu-Ode High Court
• Member, Police Constabulary Board

In an age long before digital tools, Pa Ashiru also performed a role that made him legendary in Ijebu commercial life. In the 1950s and 1960s, he painstakingly compiled and published the Ijebu Market Calendar, mapping the sacred four-day market cycles across Ijebu towns and villages. Traders, farmers, and transporters planned their livelihoods around it. Long before Google Calendar, Pa Ashiru was Ijebu’s master scheduler.

Alongside public service, he was an entrepreneur. Through Aro Okenla, his cloth-dye packaging enterprise, his products were distributed across Nigeria—blending indigenous enterprise with national reach.

*A PATRIARCH LIKE NO OTHER*

Pa Ashiru’s domestic life was as remarkable as his public one. Born a Muslim, he married about 23 wives and fathered approximately 90 children, with his last children—a set of twins—born in 1988, when he was already in his eighties.

Yet, what truly astonished all who knew him was not the size of his family, but the quality of upbringing. Through discipline, planning, and unwavering insistence on education, almost all his children attained university education and beyond, many at a time when schooling itself was a privilege.

From this remarkable lineage emerged generations of leaders, professionals, and nation-builders – across the wider family tree: professors, medical specialists, legal luminaries, engineers, diplomats, captains of industry, directors of major institutions, senior corporate leaders, esteemed administrators, security experts, bankers, and public servants—proof that Pa Ashiru did not merely raise children; he raised capacity – serving Nigeria and the world with distinction. From the family’s distinguished descendants emerged individuals who have served at the highest levels, including: a former Federal Minister, State Commissioners, heads of Federal Institutions, Federal Agencies and Heads of major academic institutions.
Today, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue this legacy across the corporate sector, public service, academia, and government.

*THE “CORNELIUS” MOMENT: A FAITH JOURNEY THAT SHOOK YORUBALAND*

Perhaps the most dramatic chapter of Pa Ashiru’s life came in its twilight.

For over 90 years, Alhaji Saka Ashiru was a committed Muslim and a respected authority in Islamic affairs, actively involved in the appointment of Imams and Alfas across Ijebuland. Then, in September 1995, following a severe illness and a remarkable recovery while singing a Christian hymn, he made a decision that stunned Yorubaland.

At the age of 91, he embraced Christianity.

He was baptized and confirmed by the Most Reverend Abiodun Adetiloye, then Primate and Archbishop Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, and took the name Simeon, in place of Saka. Like the biblical Simeon—and Cornelius before him—his faith journey testified to humility, courage, and obedience to divine conviction beyond convention.

Barely six months later, on 17 January 1996, just days after his 92nd birthday, Pa Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru peacefully passed on. Through the Bishop of Ijebu, Rt. Revd. Olowoyo, he left a final instruction: that his children should build a church in his memory — a symbol of faith, unity, and thanksgiving.This wish was faithfully fulfilled by his chikdren.

And so, in January 2026, it is fitting that Ijebu gathers again—family, friends, and well-wishers—to honour a man whose life still educates, still inspires, and still commands respect. (The widely circulated memorial write-up also notes the planned statue commissioning and memorial service on Saturday, 17 January 2026.)
*30 YEARS AFTER: THE LEGACY THAT REFUSES TO FADE – CAST IN STONE, FAITH, AND MEMORY*

Today, thirty years after his passing, Pa Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru’s legacy stands firm:
• In the lives and achievements of his descendants
• In the institutions he served and strengthened
• In the Saka Ashiru Roundabout, which proudly retains his historic name
• In the Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru Anglican Church, built in obedience to his final wish
• In the moral compass he set for generations—integrity, discipline, service, and faith

*30TH MEMORIAL COMMEMORATION*

To mark this historic milestone, the Ashiru family, friends, and well-wishers will gather in Ijebu-Ode on Saturday, 17 January 2026:
• 10:00 a.m. – Commissioning of the Pa Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru Statue
Oke-Oyinbo Saka Ashiru Roundabout
• 12:00 noon – Memorial Thanksgiving Service
Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru Anglican Church

All roads lead to Ijebu-Ode, as we celebrate a life that transcended time, faith, and circumstance—a man who lived fully, served selflessly, and left an indelible imprint on history.

Pa Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru lives on—in stone, in spirit, and in generations yet unborn.

Three decades on, Pa Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru’s life continues to speak: of service over self, order over chaos, education over privilege, and faith anchored in purpose. His legacy lives on—in institutions strengthened, values transmitted, and generations inspired.
The result of this emphasis on education propelled his children into prominent positions in government, public service, and the corporate world. They include:
Dr. Adebayo M. Ashiru, a pioneer American-trained surgeon who worked as a Chief Consultant Surgeon at General Hospital, Lagos, and Annapolis Hospital, Maryland, USA.
Dr. Gbolahan Ashiru, a top Nigerian Agronomist and former Director General of the Cocoa Research Institute.
Chief Olumuyiwa Ashiru, a legal luminary.
Chief Adebola Ashiru, a former Director at Cadbury Nigeria.
Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, MFR, Otunba Tolumogboye of Ijebu, former Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Chief Oladipo Ashiru, a legal luminary.
Chief Olusegun Ashiru, an entrepreneur.
Chief Oladele Ashiru, former General Manager at Honda Nigeria.
(These named children are of blessed memory).
Pa Ashiru’s legacy continues through other distinguished living descendants, including:
Engr. Abiodun Ashiru, currently a Consultant to the EU/ACP in Belgium.
Professor Adenike Osoba, Yeye Otunba Tajogboye, the first Nigerian female Professor of Economics and former Dean at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Professor Oladapo Ashiru, OFR, Otunba Orodudu-joye of Ijebu, Secretary General of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (the first black person to hold the office) and Foundation President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Nigeria.
Professor Otunba Oluwatoyin Ashiru, OON, the current Pro-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University and Director FMCB Group.
Chief Engr. Adewale Ashiru, an industrialist in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Omotayo Ashiru an entrepreneur in Atlanta USA.
Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, former Commissioner in Ogun State and current Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company.
Mrs. Ronke Okikiolu a retired Director in the Federal Ministry.
Mrs. Mojisola Sanni an entrepreneur.
Mr. Tola Ashiru a Real Estate Developer in Lagos.
Mrs. Bolaji Ashiru-Kazeem an entrepreneur and the Founder of Creative Mold flowers.
Arc Abiodun Ashiru who practices in Los Angeles.
Alhaji Tajudeen Ashiru, an industrialist and the Asiwaju of Oworonsoki
Evangelist Olaide Toyinbo a proprietor of Salvation International Preparatory Schools in Benin. This is to name just a few.
Among his grandchildren are Engr. Deji Ashiru, Managing Director/CEO of the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Bar. Adebukola A Agbaminoja Executive Secretary/CEO, Lagos State Government Film and Video Censors. Ademola Oreagba Founder and Managing Director of Midas Shipping, George Olalekan Ashiru the Chairman of ADC party in Lagos State. Olugbemiga David Ashiru Managing Director Managing Director Dobash Realty, Dr. Olugbemiga Osoba a practicing Physician in Atlanta USA. Oluwatoyin Osoba a Chartered Accountant and Banker in London UK, Professor Diane Ashiru-Oredipe is the Lead Pharmacist for healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at UK Health Security, Dolapo Ashiru MD Interstate Securities Limited, Omorinsola Sofola is a prominent Nigerian human resource leader and HR Director at African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Mrs. Adesola Ashiru- Mabawonku a legal practitioner in Lagos. Tunji Ashiru Vice President Government Relations and Regulations at Interswitch Group, Mr. Ayodele Thomas MD/ CEO Atom Real Estate and Vice President of the Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders

Gone, but indelibly present in the story of Ijebuland

Signed
Prof. Oladapo A. Ashiru, OFR, FAMedS
Chairman, Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru Dynasty.

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