Dr. Joseph Odumosu
The late “Dr.” Joseph Odumosu who died in the morning of Wednesday the 13th of September, 1911, was born round about the year 1863 and was one of the sons of that illustrious father, the late Daddy ODUBELA of Ita Ntebo, Ijebu-Ode, and the best known of all the children. Dr. Odumosu was a man of strong character and sterling worth, an eminent leader, a notable patriot, and a great benefactor of all his people. He died at a relatively young age of 48 in 1911, but the short period was crowded with meritorious deeds in Ijebuland to the extent that his name cannot be forgotten especially at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Italowajoda, Ijebu-Ode.
His Journey
Prior to the British occupation of Ijebuland, Dr. Odumosu had established for himself a high reputation in commercial activity, being the first Ijebu man to engage in trade adventures to Lagos. The era of British advent into Africa brought with it many changes in different aspects of African life. These changes quickly wrought wonders in his own life and through his untiring energy and zeal he turned them into very useful channels for the uplift of his people. Throughout his life he loved and laboured for the religious, educational and cultural advancement of his race.
He was the pioneer of Christianity in Ijebuland and consequently offered a staunch and strong support to the early Missionaries of the Anglican Church sent to Ijebu-Ode, and he was hospitable to them. He used to travel round the villages with them to preach the Gospel message. Dr. Odumosu was a devoted Christian and as a member of the Anglican Church right from its inception in Ijebuland, he remained so, living up to the glorious ideals of Christianity till his death. He showed keenness and foresight in other directions as well; he it was who opened the first trading shop in Ijebu, owned the first Printing Press, and published the first magazine there too.
Dr. Odumosu may be ranked among the greatest statesmen of his time. He was a true patriot whose name must ever remain fresh and green in the annals of his land.
In 1902 he was appointed a member of the Ijebu-Ode Town Council in which capacity he rendered meritorious services. In order to promote interest and fellowship of his race he founded an Aborigines Society and he was the President of the Society till his death; he also organized a Board of Trade. He sought always with his own money and succeeded during his life time to preserve for his countrymen their ancient right to their forest and farm lands, but unfortunately most or all of these have now been entirely lost to the mowing, to treachery, avarice, bribery and corruption of some of our leaders of modem time.
In the field of medical work he rendered very great services which can never be forgotten. He was the first of Yoruba-speaking people to reduce native therapeutics into writing and publish it in many book forms for sale to all members of his race. “IWE EGBOGI” also in two big editions is an example of these. This, of course, earned for him the greatest displeasure of many native herbalists but thanks and praise of all other members of Yoruba speaking people. The last six years of his life were devoted to medical work. He treated daily without any charge the sick and unfortunate sufferers.
In the field of education he rendered as well really unforgettable services. He was a very great believer in the dissemination of all knowledge within the reach of any human being, hence he purchased and owned a Printing Press of his own to aid him in the noble work. His sole aim being to gain knowledge and information and to disseminate the same to benefit all his people. He printed and published several books. He was the author of the following among others:-
l. IWE IROHIN ILU.
2. IWE IRANTI ITAN IJEBU ati YORUBA
3, IWE EGBOGI in two large editions.
4. IWE ALA
5. IWE IWOSAN in two big editions.
6. IWE GBEDEGBEYO. (A Yoruba Dictionary)
It can therefore safely be said that the late Dr. Odumosu left behind himself “footprints on the sands of time.” To him the whole of a man’s life meant “Selfless Service.”
He endeared himself to the Church, the State, and to everyone. He was beloved and respected by all his fellow countrymen and inexpressibly dear to his family. His whole life was a benefit and real and worthy service to all who were connected with him and to his race in general. He gave the best example, the best advice, the most bounteous hospitality to his friends, hence the endless streams of his countrymen both far and near who daily and hourly thronged the portal of his house at 34, Iyanro Street, Ijebu Ode during his life time in order to seek and obtain his advice on all matters both public and private. In addition, he gave the tenderest care to his dependants and bestowed on those of his immediate family such a blessing of fatherly love and protection as can never be thought of, by us at least, without veneration and thankfulness. He set the feet of all his immediate family on the firm and honest ground in their way of life that no one of these can to-day point out to a single thing in their lives the foundation for which cannot be traced to him. Many of his own children’s children may surely be proud to be descended from one who in all ways was so truly noble.
In the book titled “The Ijebu of Yorubaland 1850-1950 Politics, Economy & Society” written by Professor E.A. Ayandele of the History Department of the University of Ibadan this is what he had to say about “Dr” Joseph Odumosu’s exploits:
(a) “He outrivaled most in wealth, in popularity in power, in followership, and in respectability. He was the leader of the Christians in Ijebu-Ode while the de-facto leader of the Muslims was Balogun Kuku”
(b) “He trained himself as a shoemaker, a mason, and a trader. He was literate by self-effort and secretly became a convert and had begun to come to the fore as a friend of Awujale Adeleke”
(c) “He was popular with the people. For the traditionalists Odumosu was a much greater threat who stood for ideas and wanted a world completely different from theirs. He became the closest collaborator with the British Administration in the early years of the century and later on became popular patriot against the economic tyranny of the British. Some however saw him as Judas Iscariot and the brain behind the constitutional, social and economic innovations that the British conquerors began to initiate and force down their throats”
(d) “Odumosu discouraged the worship of OSOWUSI in favour of Christianity. He heaped humiliation on the preservers of the traditional religions. In particular in 1899 he led his followers and Muslims to violate the reverence of the Owa River which he announced harboured no divine properties but should be cleared for navigation”
(e) “Eventually CHRISTIANS FLOCKED TO HIM TO SETTLE THEIR PROBLEMS –Then he led his followers and Muslims to assert successfully the rights to use the umbrella. This was not acceptable to some rich families at that time”.
(f) “Odumosu’s business acumen was legendary. He became a man of substance to the extent that he was the first to have a storey building in Ijebu-Ode. He was also the first to own a Newspaper. His tentacles went beyond Ijebuland as Christian leaders from Ibadan and Lagos as well as nationalist agitators in Lagos like Herbert Macaulay began to give him support and a sense of solidarity in particular in the championship of opposition to the economic exploitation of the fatherland by the British. Awujale Adetona called Odumosu “the other king” who could not prostrate to any paramount ruler”
It is therefore not a surprise that the sons and daughters of this departed hero found it auspicious to erect a Stone Tablet in the Church of his birth on the 13th September, 1941 in ever loving memory of this great mind and genius who did so much for the uplift of his race.
