Life and Times of former PDP & NUT Chairman in Osun Pa. SAMUEL OMOTOSHO ISAMOTU (1940-2024)

Baba Samuel Omotosho Isamotu was born on 1st September, 1940 in Iwo in the prestigious Baale Oke-saaji Compound of Isale-Oba quarters of the ancient community. A family compound of high Chieftaincy title that has now been upgraded to a Royal stool (Onisaaji of Oke-saaji) in conjunction with other designated family compounds in Iwo, and under the royal authority of Oluwo of Iwoland.

‘Tosho Isamotu has fondly called by all, started his elementary academic life at D.C School, Ajangbala Eleha in Iwo, a school not far from his family compound and his parents residential area at the time (Ile Baale Oke-saaji).

After primary school, he proceeded to the then highly rated Baptist Modern School “BMS” in Iwo between 1961– 1963 (which is now refers to as Baptist Grammar School, Iwo).

Afterwards, as a proper Yoruba man who loves farming, he decided to go to the Farm Institute in Odeda, in Ogun State where he was for two years and later served at a farm settlement in Osogbo, Osun State as one of the mandatory prerequisite for studying at the farm institute.

The Farm Institute, which is one of the legacy of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, served as a vocational course, which entitled him to farm settlements in Osogbo, Iwo and others.

While at this, with doing several jobs to make ends meet for himself as a lone survival after loosing his father from a very tender age, his bossom friend and current Kabiesi of Ikonifin, Oba Oyewo Ojo advised and convinced him on the need for him to continue his studies which he eventually agreed to even though, he had initially planned to join the Nigeria Army at the time.

He consented to his friend’s advice and further his studies at Baptist College, Iwo, between 1968-1970. Because of his brilliance, he was immediately engaged as a teacher at D.C. School Ajangbala Eleha, Iwo between 1971-1974, before later deciding to quit the job in order to further his studies.

It was the Modern 3 Leaving Certificate he had gotten from Baptist Modern School that qualifies him to be able to attend Baptist College for his Grade 2 certificate which further enhanced him to Adeyemi College of Education for his NCE programme.

He attended Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo between 1974-1977 where he got trained to become a passionate and hardworking teacher that was more interested in moulding the students passing through his tutelage to become successful in life not withstanding the paltry renumeration for teachers at the time.

He had his mandatory one year service (NYSC) at St. Thomas College at Ogoja, in present-day Cross River state between 1977-1978

After working for awhile, he later attended the Premier University of Ibadan between 1982-1985 to earn his Bachelors degree in Physical and Health Education where he was a proud member and alumni of the ‘great zikite hall’ of the Premier institution.

Pa Samuel Omotosho Isamotu was a teacher and livestock officer at Apostolic Teacher’s College, Ilesa, between 1978-1981, before deciding to leave Ilesa to return back to his hometown in Iwo. Thus, he was transferred to L.A Commercial Grammar School, Iwo, where he served meritoriously from September 1981-1999 and later at St. Mary’s Grammar School, Iwo before leaving the service.

‘Tosho Isamotu was a tough disciplinarian known by all and at the same time, a compassionate guardian that is always concerned about the growth and success of all his students with epoch making testimonies to this effect from his former students and those associated with him since that time till today.

He is married to a virtuous woman, Pastor (Mrs.) Bolanle Beatrice Isamat (JP), with six lovely children, namely, Olufunmilayo, Odunola, Olubukola, Opeyemi, Oluniyi and Oluwafeyikemi “Adetipe.”

As a man who will never take any act of kindness done to him from anyone for granted and in his bid to immortalise someone who was an integral part of his life, he changed his surname from his father’s maiden name (Yaya) to that of his father’s younger brother (Isamotu) who had no child but was the one who took care of him from the very tender age that he lost his father.

He was a man who loves to give and do more for people around him and the society than for himself, and being a naturally born leader, he was involved in different leadership roles until he breathed his last.

He was the President, Iwo, and District Union of Students “IDUS” in (1970) which is now presently known as “FILSU” (Federation of Iwoland Students Union). He was also the President, Iwo, and District Union of Students (Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo) in 1977.

He served as the Vice President, Iwo and District Union of Students, University of Ibadan –1985.

As a P.E. teacher, astute lover of sport and versatile defender during his football playing days, he was the Sport Organiser, Ilesa zone between 1978 – 1982.

He served as Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Iwo Local Government between 1989 – 1993 and equally state publicity secretary of NUT, Osun State Wing between 1997-2001

He was the Managing Director of “BolaTosho Ventures”, a firm he founded with his wife and as a proud farmer and Agripreneur, he was a large-scale poultry farmer, crop farmer, and secretary farm settlers association in Osogbo (1967).

He was also the Chairman, Farm settlement establishment Committee, Iwo, that eventually facilitated the renowned farm settlement of Iwo.

As an astute community developer and stakeholder, Pa Omotosho Isamotu was involved in diverse community development organisations striving to make Iwo better and hasten Iwo growth and progress socially, economically and politically.

He was a founding and integral member of I.D.C (Iwo Development Council), a foremost community organisation that is saddled with the responsibility of organising the annual Iwo Day celebration among other developmental focus of the group in conjunction and interwoven with IWAC (Iwo Action Council) and I.B.O.T (Iwo Board of Trustee), the highest decision-making body in Iwo kingdom under the royal authority of Oluwo of Iwoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adewale Akanbi (Telu 1).

As a founding member of the community organisation, he served as the Sub-Committee Chairman of the community organisation that liased with the Osun State Ministry of Agriculture for the eventual establishment of Akinleye Farm Settlement and in conjunction with other notable people, he was instrumental to how the Akinleye community had their first appointed Baale under the royal authority of late Oba Ashiru Olatunbosun Tadese “OON” (Ariwajooye 1), an effort that was later the catalyst of how the Baale Chieftaincy rank of the community has now been elevated to a monarch status.

As a community developer, he was the protem Chairman of Isale-Oba Parapo, a community organisation that represents the interest and amalgamation of all family compounds in Isale-Oba quarters of Iwo at a time. In concerted efforts with other people, notably Pa Adebayo Akande, Pa Salawu Legbe, Pa Giwa, among others, were instrumental to the rural electrification of some family compounds within the Isale-Oba quarters of Iwo at a time.

His community relations and royal blood made him a close associate with the late Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Ashiru Tadese (Ariwajooye 1), the late Olupo of Oluponna, Oba Emmanuel Onaolapo Oyebanji (Fadare II) in Aiyedire local government and his bossom friend, Oonifin of Ikonifin, Oba (Dr.) Solomon Oyewo Ojo (Akinyena 1) in Olaoluwa local government area of the state. A monarch he has been a close friend with since their youthful age in 1961.

As a resilient community developer, lover of knowledge and that of the growth and progress of his community, in conjunction with a friend, he facilitated the establishment “Grade 2 level” and “N.C.E” certificate programme to Iwo under the authority of the foremost “National Teacher’s Institute (NTI),” kaduna.

He did this to salvage and comfort the situation of many Teacher’s in Iwo and environs at the time who were travelling to far places outside the state to acquired upgraded professional certificate after the government in power at the time had instructed that, Teacher’s in public schools with lesser certificate qualifications may get the big stick of the government if they fail to have the new required qualifications for Teacher’s in public schools at the time.

The products of the school he facilitated to Iwo are now scattered all over the country today, impacting the knowledge they’ve gotten from the institution and also earning their living with the professional certificate bagged from the school while the school still stands strong till today since many decades ago he facilitated it to the community with his wife being one of the products of that school before she bows out of public service over ten years ago.

As a socialite, he was a member and one-time secretary of IRIS Club in Iwo and Club 25 Iwo, among others.

His political participation and active political leadership role transcends from the days of NPN of former Republic in Nigeria till PDP in this present Republic in the country.

He was a former PDP Chairman in Iwo local government whose tenure was the most successful and harmonious tenure of the party in Iwo local government until most recently.

He was actually the second PDP Chairman in the local government and a foundational and legacy member of the party until he breathed his last on the 11th of October, 2024.

Aside from being a party Chairman during the first tenure of former Governor of Osun State, Omooba Olagunsoye Oyinlola, he was equally a member of the State Library Board during the tenure of the former Governor as well, serving with Chief S.O Adigun at the time among other erudite Board members.

He had one time aspire to be a member of the House of Assembly representing Iwo district in the late 70s.

In the return to Democratic government in Nigeria, he was a front-runner for the Local Government Chairmanship position in Iwo under the banner of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the early 2000 before the eventual candidate, Hon Ajadi Salawu “Asaliwa” was picked to be the flag bearer of the party with Pa. Samuel Omotosho Isamotu leading from the front for the eventual victory of the candidate as the party Chairman at the time, making him the first party Chairman to produce an elected local government chairman under the umbrella of PDP in Iwo local government among other electoral victory he coordinated and led the party to, in the local government, the state and by extension Nigeria, being a frontline member and stakeholder of the party since its formation in 1998.

His close political associates includes but not limited to Baba Bilawu Ebo “Onseyoo”, Baba Salawu Olopa, Barr Gbadegesin Adedeji, Prof Oladipupo, Alhaji Liad Tella Prince Wale Osunwo, Alhaji Tiamiyu Alidu, the current PDP Party Chairman in Iwo local government among others, while he also do reference Late Barr G.A Aremu of blessed memories (Ekerin of Iwoland) in his lifetime among others.

Pa Samuel Omotosho Isamotu was born a Muslim but converted to be a follower of Christ through his personal conviction and without any coercion. He actually got converted to Christianity on an Eid Day in 1963. While passing through a church, he was listening to the Pastor’s sermon while on the road, got interested in what the Pastor was saying, and then decided to hear the sermon out till the end. He entered the church premises by himself, and that was how he became a follower of christ for more than six decades till he breathed his last. The church was known at the time as “2nd Olukotun Baptist Church” later to “Ebenezer Baptist Church,” but now the present-day “Precious Baptist Church.”

Baba Toso Isamotu was a liberal man but a proud Christian and a true believer. He never joked with anything that concerns God and the church. He was a man of faith and a true lover of God. Nothing was worth denouncing his faith for.

He was a founding member of Imole Jesu Society (1973). Chairman, Imole Jesu Society.

Among other leadership roles, he took part in the church, includes; member, Men Missionary Union (MMU). Member, Precious Baptist Church Constitution Review Committee. Chairman, Historical Committee, Precious Baptist Church, including Chairman, Parent Teachers Association of Precious Baptist Church Group of Schools, among others.

He was a man of integrity to the core. He cherishes his integrity than silver, gold, or pot of porridge. He’s a disciplinarian, strict and, at the same time, loving and compassionate.

Truth was his life currency. He detests dishonesty.

Baba Samuel Omotosho Isamotu, was a lovable father to his children in all ramifications, an awesome grandfather who loved his grandkids with passion. Most importantly, he was a great family man not only to his children and wife but to the extended family relations and a dependable ally to all his associates and known friends.

” Separations are no new things. Death is no new thing.” Death is the ultimate end of every man born of woman.

“Omo Baale Òkè ṣááji, omo olori ìlú, omo o sayo bolaja, ọmọ afinju eye tin mumi ninu agbaada. Omo otun oloja to m’Oyo ro, omo alugbulugbu omi”

“Ọmọ eni to mi kukute ara re lo mi, eni tí se Omotoso ara re lo ńṣe.”

May his gentle soul continue to rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sun re ooo, omo Olubari, Baba Omo…

●Oluniyi Afolabi Isamotu “MC-MALAGA”
(Office of the Governor, Osun State.)