Stakeholders in Ile-Ife have been charged to immortalise the late Chief Moses Abiola Ijiwoye Adeyemo for his unwavering contributions to the socio-economic development of the ancient town.
The call was made by Hon. Lawrence Abayomi Adeniji, a former Special Assistant to the Nigerian Ambassador to China, during the official inauguration of the Plant A Future Memorial Initiatives (PAFMI) held in honour of Chief Adeyemo.
Adeyemo is a former Nigerian Ambassador to China, founder of the renowned Mayfair Hotel in Ile-Ife, and the first entrepreneur to introduce taxi and luxury bus services in the historic city.
The event, which was attended by family, friends, community leaders, and well-wishers, provided a platform for glowing tributes to the late Adeyemo.
He was celebrated as one of the founding fathers of Osun State, a philanthropist, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose life and works impacted countless individuals across social divides.
In his welcome address, Adeniji, who served as Chief Adeyemo’s personal aide for nearly three decades, described the late Balogun of Ijebu Ode as a visionary leader who dedicated his life to advancing the fortunes of Ile-Ife.
“Ife owes him deep gratitude for the relentless sacrifices he made to transform our community into a more developed and prosperous city,” Adeniji said.
Speaking through her sister, Mrs. Adeola Ijiwoye-Olajiga, the Founder, CEO, and President of PAFMI, Tina Ijiwoye, said the foundation was created to sustain the legacy of their late father, who “served God by serving humanity.”
She further revealed that three key initiatives were launched in his honour: the Plant A Future Water for All Programme (PADWAP), the Plant A Future Education Centre (PAFEC), and the relaunch of the Plant A Future Memorial Scholarship (PAFMS).
“These initiatives reflect our father’s enduring belief in empowering underserved communities and improving quality of life for all,” Tina Ijiwoye added.
The matriarch of the Ijiwoye family, Mama Ijiwoye, alongside the Baale of Elelu’s Compound, Oranmiyan Street, Arubiidi, Pa Goke Olayemi, expressed appreciation to the Ijiwoye children for honouring their father’s legacy. “Chief Adeyemo deserves to be celebrated in every sense of the word. His legacy remains indelible in Ile-Ife,” they noted.
Beneficiaries of PAFMI’s interventions include residents of the Arubiidi community who gained access to clean water through PADWAP, and students who received scholarships under PAFMS.
The beneficiaries span several institutions, including Adventist Grammar School, Our Lady’s Girls High School, St. John’s Grammar School, Moremi High School, and Unique Group of Schools, all in Ile-Ife.
Students from Olode Grammar School and the Departments of Agricultural Economics and Economics at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, were also recipients of the scholarship awards.
The event closed with a resounding call from stakeholders for the people of Ile-Ife to continue celebrating the life and legacies of Chief Adeyemo, whose footprints remain firmly etched in the sands of time.
