ODIMAYO FAMILY ARE NATURALLY GIFTED IN TERMS OF GOOD ADMINISTRATIONS.
Akinsuwa Arole
Oba Feyisara John Odimayo (January 5, 1922 – 1993) was the reigning king of Ode-Irele in Ondo State, Nigeria from 1976 to 1993. He was from a group of people called ‘Ikale’ a sub tribe of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria.
Oba Feyisara Odimayo, the Jagboju VIII and Olofun of Ode-Irele ascended the throne of Ode Irele five years after his predecessor Oba Aladetubokanwa died. He was the 12th king with the title ‘Olofun of Irele’. Oba Feyisara Odimayo descended from a long line of Jagbojus, a ruling house in Irele. Irele, a town located in the eastern part of Ondo State within the Okitipupa division was a place people looked up to for modern education. Irele also generated the highest amount of income tax for Ikale Local Government. Oba Feyisara Odimayo’s accession to the throne was controversial. Ode-Irele has three ruling houses; Jagboju, Oyenusi and Orunbemekun. Each ruling house takes turns in Kingship. According to traditional law, once a (Oba)king dies, it is the turn of a representative from the next ruling house to be King. The Ruling Families had rotational turns on the Irele throne. Between 1971 and 1976, there were disputes between the Oyenusi ruling house and the Jagboju ruling house about whose turn it was to ascend the Irele throne. After court appeals, the Kingmakers of the district, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftains affairs and the Governor of Ondo State declared Oba Odimayo the rightful heir to the Irele throne. Oba Odimayo assisted in the establishment of Irele Community High School in September, 1978. Oba Odimayo was also the President of the Ikale Local Government council in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Oba Odimayo’s reign in Ode-Irele was successful and had a large economic growth impact in the community. Oba Odimayo’s reign saw the establishment of Barclay’s Bank (November 1, 1978) in Ode-irele, currently called the Union Bank of Nigeria. Barclay’s bank was formerly called Colonial Bank (1917) during the British colonial era. Oba Feyisara Odimayo’s rule also saw the launch of Mother Therese’s Catholic Hospital on May 31, 1978 which oversaw the health welfare of the community.
Oba Odimayo’s reign also saw deep financial crisis in 1983 but was resolved after all local Chiefs and Oba’s readjusted their financial budget in the Ikale Local Government.
Oba Feyisara Odimayo had eleven wives and thirty six children.
It is widely recorded that Oba Feyisara Odimayo did all his best and made Ikale nation unite till moment. On this note, we need to unite in bring back the spirit of progressivism by electing Prince Jimi Odimayo as Member House of Representatives to pilot the affairs of Irele / Okitipupa Federal constituency under the platform of All Progressive Congress.
