Faces Of Some Departed Patriotic Personalities In Ilese
Ilese-Ijebu is a community that has been existing for three hundred years and historical records reveal that the indigenes of Ilese are grandchildren of Oduduwa who migrated to the current location from Ile-Ife.
Ilese is the economic capital of Ijebu North East Local Government of Ogun State, having one state-owned tertiary institution, a world-class medical institution Eye Foundation, with a functional Microfinance bank among other sawmill businesses and enterprises.
Ilese is a community that is headed by a retired permanent secretary who is referred to as Elese of Ilese, including other cabinet members, charged with the responsibilities of preserving the tradition and culture of the people.
Ilese is a community that is blessed with hundreds of eminent scholars in all fields of endeavour engineering, law, accountancy, among other globally recognized business endeavours as they reside in all parts of the world: Canada, America, England, Lagos, Abuja, among others.
Unfortunately, only few recognize the fact that when God blesses you, you must also be a blessing to others. For the purpose of this write-up, I will like to enumerate some of the personalities that have contributed in no small measure towards the development of Ilese and they include Otunba Olatunde Olowu (FCA), Otunba Kayode Odusanya, Otunba Segun Demuren, Otunba Banjo Adenle, Otunba Taiwo Afolabi, Otunba Sola Mogaji among others
The history of Ilese is incomplete without referring to the outstanding contributions of these personalities who have used their God-given talent and resources to upscale the infrastructural development of their fatherland.
Some of these personalities have proceeded to the great beyond but their contributions to Ilese is a reference point for coming generations to emulate and develop upon.
Otunba Niyi Odusanya: he is a retired senior customs officer and during his days he was able to help indigenes of the community to secure employment at the federal level, ensuring that the youth are productively engaged. He served as former president, Ilese Dynamic Association, and championed several innovations that have positioned Ilese on the pedestal of economic growth.
Although Otunba Niyi Odusanya proceeded to the great beyond several years back, his record is still there for the people to see.
Prince (Otunba) Banjo Adenle: He was a force to be reckoned with during his days in Ilese and Nigeria as a whole. He was one of the retired permanent secretaries in Lagos State civil service and during his days he believed that Ilese is our Jerusalem and we all need to do everything possible to make Ilese great.
He was an engineer by training and a clergyman by divine calling. He took active part towards the construction of the new palace in the community. During his days he served as the chairman, building committee, and former president, Ilese Dynamic Association.
He was not tired of giving helping hands to the needy in the community and donated generously towards the spread of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He built several churches in Nigeria and one of his hobbies is to donate for projects in churches across Nigeria because that gives him joy and spiritual upliftment .
Otunba Segun Demuren.
He was appointed as the Chancellor for Ijebu Anglican Diocese in recognition of his outstanding footprint in the Christian community. Otunba Segun Demuren, during his days, was a legal practitioner by training and a community leader par excellence.
He served as chairman, Ilese Development Council, and during his tenure in office Ilese witnessed radical transformation. He was very passionate about community service, very humble and straightforward. God used him to bless a lot of families, providing succour to the people, and he was able to live a very virtuous life in the community. He was an icon of success in the Christian community and he made his impact felt across board. May his soul continue to rest in peace. There have been strong agitations for indigenes of Ilese in diaspora to join the moving train by making contributions where necessary for the growth of the community.
