Encomium
+ Portrait of the departed ICON, Chief J.O Ajayi
Business mogul and Director General, Ghana Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and CEO, Vintage Visions, Otunba Mike Ajayi is sparing no cost to give his departed father, Chief (Dr.) Joseph Olubowale Ajayi a befitting burial.
Themed Celebrating the Glorious Life of a True Icon, the funeral ceremony begins Wednesday, February 5, 2014 with Service of Songs at his residence, 4, Fashanu Street, Off Fatade Road, Baruwa, Off Ipaja Road, Lagos.
Friday, February 7 is Lying-in-state at his country home, 1, Olubowale Ajayi Street, Ijeda Road, Erinmo-Ijesha, Oriada LGA, Osun State. There wIll also be a Wake-Keep for the deceased that same day at his country home.
Chief J.O Ajayi’s remain would be laid to rest on Saturday, February 8 at a private funeral service and interment at his country home at 8am.
According to the burial programme, there would be an Interdenominational Outing and Thanksgiving Service, at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun 1, Erinmo-Ijesha as well as a reception party at St. Peter’s Anglican Church Primary School field, Ijeda Road, Erinmo-Ijesha, Lagos at 10am and 12 noon.
Chief (Dr.) Joseph Olubowale Ajayi was the Asiwaju of Erinmo-Ijesha, Oriade LGA OF Osun State was born on June 21, 1939 at Erinmo-Ijesha in Oriade local government area of Osun State. He was born into the family of late Job Ajayi of the Oboye Royal family and Madam Ruth Abiodun Ola Ajayi of the Arowotawaya Royal Dynasty, both of whom were devote Christians and pillars of the Christ Apostolic Church, Erinmo.
On his graduation from the University of Lagos where he studied Sociology, he joined the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity in 1972 at Ikoyi, Lagos as a Labour Officer from where he was posted to Ilorin, Kwara State and later Kaduna before he voluntarily opted out of public service as a Senior Labour Officer to join the UAC of Nigeria Plc conglomerate in 1978.
His career with the UACN PLC Group spanned over two decades, heading the personnel department (as Personnel Manager, General Manager: Personnel and Divisional Personnel Director) of several companies like Vono Products Limited; Federated Motors Industries & Niger Motors (now General Motors); A J Seward (now merged into Unilever); Tractor & Equipment (now MANTRAC) before his retirement in 2001.
On retirement, Chief (Dr.) Joseph Ajayi established a thriving Management Consultancy as Principal Partner /CEO of Arvesta Associates which was a division of his larger multi-faceted business venture, Arvesta Limited, which amongst many others was engaged in civil engineering and constructions projects.
Joseph Olu Ajayi was happily married for several decades till his death to his beloved wife who has been very supportive to him, looking after the kids solely alongside her teaching career while he was acquiring his university education.
Most Senior Mother in Israel S S Ajayi was born into the families of two of the most prominent High Chiefs in Igbara Oke, High Chief Sapetu (the traditional Prime Minister and second in rank to the king and High Chief EJemu the third in rank to the HRH the Olowa of Igbara – Oke).
Honoured as Yeye Asiwaju of Erinmo, she is a deaconess of the CAC Church, Erinmo, an ordained pastor, a Brigadier Chaplain of the CSM College of theology and Chaplaincy, a communicant of the Anglican Communion, proud member of the Mother’s Union of the Anglican Church, the Otun Aya Bishop of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Igbara Oke.
Their marriage is blessed with many successful children (who are all doing well in their respective areas) and many grand children. His children include Ghana based Otunba Michael Ajayi, the Director General of the Ghana – Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CEO of Vintage Visions and Founding President of the Forum of Nigeria Professionals in Ghana, Mrs. Ore Famurewa, Public & Regulatory Affairs Manager of Friesland (formerly WAMCO) makers of Peak Milk and other quality brands, two a highly successful lawyers/business women Mrs. Fola Ibilola and Mrs. Yetunde Atoyebi, American based banker Mrs. Tope Alao and Mr. Joshua Ajayi a professional who works an international company in Abuja.
