Dr Oluwatoyin Madein's Childhood Friends: The Interesting Story of Nigeria's First Age Grade Group To Celebrate 60 Years Of Togetherness.

Dr Oluwatoyin Madein's Childhood Friends: The Interesting Story of Nigeria's First Age Grade Group To Celebrate 60 Years Of Togetherness.

By Charles Segun Adegbite

The first female Accountant General of the Federation who recently retired, Dr (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, with her childhood playmates and age grade group, Blessed Bomode Oku Society of Iperu Remo, Ogun State, set a new record last week Saturday as they celebrated the 60th anniversary of their unity, love and togetherness with glitz and glamour.

It was a red letter day as they commissioned their ultramodern Secretariat and Multi-purpose Hall in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Society.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Iperu Development Association, Mr Olusola Idowu, who was the chairman of the occasion, described the Society as a unique one in Nigeria. The commissioning of the edifice by this age grade was seen and described as setting a new record.

They are unique. Because for them to have kept their group for 60 years, you've got to give it to them. I am from this town; and of course, I have my own "Egbe"(age grade group) and I don't even know where all of us are."

Speaking further on this epoch making anniversary, the legal luminary said in an interview with Successful People Magazine: "They are unique. Because for them to have kept their group for 60 years, you've got to give it to them. I am from this town; and of course, I have my own "Egbe"(age grade group) and I don't even know where all of us are."

According to Mr Idowu,  "The major thing is that, in unity we stand. I can see humility in one or two of them. You will understand that one of them is the first female Accountant General of the Federation. For her to still mingle with some of these people who are bricklayers, carpenters and hairdressers, it shows a lot of humility on her part."

In appreciation of this uncommon association and their milestone achievements, the legal expert said:
"There are so many societies in Iperu; social societies, that have club houses. But this is the first time an age group society will have a club house/ Secretariat and a multipurpose hall. To that extent, as far as I am concerned, they have laid a legacy that people should emulate". He added.

There are so many societies in Iperu; social societies, that have club houses. But this is the first time an age group society will have a club house/ Secretariat and a multipurpose hall. To that extent, as far as I am concerned, they have laid a legacy that people should emulate

Complementing the celebratory atmosphere, Mr. Olusola Idowu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, praised the group's unity, and urged people to emulate them.

"My advice to people is that we just have to emulate them. Considering the diversity of the caliber of people in the group, we should all have humility. When I see Toyin (Dr Madein) who I call Saki, and see the way she relates with these people, I took a lesson. You've got to have humility in whatever position you find yourself or God puts you in. That is the lesson." He advised.

To express their unity, how joyful they were and their festive mood, they dressed up in gorgeous Aso Oke uniforms, looking radiant and happy to be alive and healthy; even as they welcomed special guests to fill the hall.

Their other numerous guests, consisting of friends, family members, business or professional associates and people from different walks of life, assembled in the Marquee/large pole tents, outside the Hall, but within the Secretariat premises, where they were entertained.

 When I see Toyin (Dr Madein) who I call Saki, and see the way she relates with these people, I take a lesson. You've got to have humility in whatever position you find yourself or God puts you in. That is the lesson.

The immediate past Accountant General, Dr (Mrs.) Madein, who is the Asiwaju Obirin (woman leader) of the Blessed Bomode Oku Society, disclosed that her parents who initiated her induction into the society in 1965 when she was born, passed away about 26 years ago.

She noted that their membership of the society therefore, was not a choice they (all the members) made themselves. It was a decision taken by their parents on their behalf, when they didn't even know what was going on. But the decision to remain together as members of the group after their childhood and teenage years, till they are 60 years old was their own decision; to honour their parents.

She disclosed also that as human beings, with their individual differences, they do have misunderstandings and quarrel occasionally as they did during their tutelage. But because they grew up together, know one another very well and being from same town, and now more matured they don't allow their misunderstandings to last before quickly resolving the issue among each other, or one another.

She noted that although they all grew up to belong to different classes in life while making life choices in terms of education acquisition, career development, marriage and family life, which led to some dropping out or not having more than primary school certificates.

As fate would have it also, some couldn't go beyond secondary school. And while there are those who attended higher institutions to bag first degree, there are others who have post graduate degrees, like her.

They however didn't allow what fate did to them to separate them. They see themselves as of same childhood class and mingle together freely as they have been doing from childhood and in their adolescent life, till they grew up to maturity and even become parents themselves.

What gives me joy about this Blessed Bomode Oku Society is that the legacy our parents established, I mean the seeds they sowed 60 years ago are still growing bigger today

In shedding light on the bond between them, Dr (Mrs) Madein said: "What gives me joy about this Blessed Bomode Oku Society is that the legacy our parents established, I mean the seeds they sowed 60 years ago are still growing bigger today."

The President of the Society, Mr Tajudeen Hamzat Shofola, told Successful People Magazine in an interview that when their parents were founding the age grade group for them in 1964 he was a baby boy growing up to become a toddler, who didn't understand what the parents were doing then.

According to him, when they were young and their parents formed the group for them, it was for the purpose of making them to socialize with one another.

It was the old way of parents taking their children to picnics these days, during special festivities. Their mothers would bring them together during their meeting days at the specified venue where all of them, boys and girls, would be able assembled to play together and socialize.

That was how they nurtured them socially until they knew one another very well and matured enough to decide to continue fixing meetings on their volition.

While a lot of factors like enrollment for vocational training, schooling and career development, marriage and family life, migration to other towns, states or countries and life vicissitudes do contribute to hindering such age grade groups from blossoming in many communities  where this social culture exists in Nigeria, this Bomode Oku Society have kept their own group alive, viable and successful till date.

While delivering her welcome address, the Lady President of the group, Mrs. Fausat Elizabeth Oso Adesuyi, gave thanks to God for helping them to make success of the group, because no age grade society is viable and functioning as their own.

The General Secretary/Giwa of the Society, Prince Stephen Oluwole Adekalu, while presenting the brief history of the Blessed Bomode Oku Society, disclosed that the Society was formed in 1964 by the parents of the President of the group, Prince Tajudeen Hamzat Shofola, the Lady President, Mrs. Fausat Oso Adesuyi, and the Olootu Asipa Egbe, High Chief Rasaki Owolabi Oso.

The group was known then as Egbe Bomode Oku Ti Taju Ati Fausa, because every age grade group was named Bomode Oku in those days, and each was distinguished with the name of their leaders.

While shedding light on the formation of the group, Prince Adekalu said that
membership was drawn from those boys and girls born between 1964 and 1965 in Iperu Remo.

The name was however changed to Blessed Bomode Oku Society in 1984, about 40 years ago when they grew up to become adults of about 19 and 20 years old, and wanted to create a distinct identity. However, in December 1994 it was registered with the Iperu Community Development Council, as a club, when it was about 30 years old.

Building on this achievement, in June 2024, about 60 years of its formation, it was given Certificate of Registration by the Ikenne Local Government, in Ogun State, and consequently get recognized as a club.

According to Prince Adekalu, the aims and objectives of the society are:  To promote love and unity among its members. Contribute positively to the growth and development of its members, Iperu community and its environment. And, to compliment government efforts and support all developmental projects.

Furthermore, their commitment to community development has been displayed through their yearly activities during Iperu and Akesan Day Celebrations.

While the membership of the group is said to be over 100, who are either based at home or in the diaspora, names of the 62 of their members are listed in the 60th anniversary program booklet, including the names of eight of them who have died.

Of course, for people to really know the genesis of the construction of the multipurpose hall, the General Secretary/Giwa Egbe, Prince Adekalu, who initiated the idea of building the Secretariat/Multi-purpose Hall, acknowledged the contributions of Olootu Asipa Egbe, Chief Oso, in the purchasing of the land.

He also made known the donation of 1000 blocks and 100 bags of cement by the Asiwaju Okunrin(Male Leader) of the Society, Prince Larry Gbadebo, in starting the building project.

Adekalu also recognized the efforts of other members in continuing the project, and the immense contributions of Dr (Mrs) Madein and the Iyalaje Egbe, Dr (Mrs) Pero Joke Sofowora, for the completion of the building project and commissioning of the Secretariat, named BBOS House.

In appreciation of God for keeping them alive to witness the 60th anniversary and being partakers of the commissioning of the Secretariat/Multi-purpose Hall, they decided to roll out the drums in celebration of the landmark achievement.

Moreso, to appreciate those who have contributed meaningfully to the growth of the Society via conferment of awards and investiture of the various leaders of the group, to spur them to keep contributing more.

In order for non members of the society and dignitaries from the town to witness their landmark achievements and celebrate with them, they invited; beside the Senior Advocate, Mr. Idowu who was the Chairman of the Day, the Iyalode of Iperu Remo, Chief (Mrs) Ronke Sodiya, as the Chairperson of the occasion. While Chief (Mrs) Dame Yinka Adebutu was the Mother of the Day, and Mr Ademigba as the Father of the Day.

Worthy of mentioning is the fact that they are gender sensitive in all their dealings, since it's a society of male and female members of same age group. So, for every position they put a man in, they always create an equivalent female position to balance it. To this end, there was nothing like marginalization or gender imbalances in the group.

The Asoju Oba Iperu; Otunba Kola Olatunji, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government; Alhaji Jamiu Ashimiu, the Chairman of Iperu Development Association; Otunba Taiwo Oyebanjo, Chief Denny Ibrahim Oladipo and Mr. Wole Liasu Awonuga, were the Special Guests of Honour at the occasion.

After the commissioning of the Secretariat/Multi-purpose Hall, carried out by the Senior Advocate, Mr Idowu;  and presentation of the brief history of the Society by Prince Adekalu,  the award plaques were presented to the awardees, with presentation of certificates and investiture of BBOS new chiefs.

The investiture of the Society's officers was followed by dancing and merriment, amidst a lively atmosphere. The popular Apala Music maestro, Alhaji Musiliu Aruna Ishola, further electrified the occasion with his captivating Yoruba music.

The society's leadership team, in addition to those mentioned above earlier, was unveiled, featuring a dynamic lineup of dedicated individuals. The key office holders included Mr. Olalekan Sotomide as Assistant Secretary, Okanlawon Fadero as Treasurer, Mrs. Funso Akinbowale as Assistant Treasurer, Chief Nosiru Oguntayo as Financial Secretary, and Mr. Basiru Gbadamosi as Social Secretary.

In a grand ceremony, esteemed members were honored with the Group's traditional chieftaincy titles, recognizing their outstanding contributions. The distinguished honorees included:

• Mrs. Kuburat Amusa, adorned as Amereya Egbe
• Mrs. Taibat Folorunso, celebrated as Fiwajoye
• Mrs. Moriamo Oyenuga, revered as Alatunse Egbe
• Chief Nosiru Oguntayo, esteemed as Seriki Egbe
• Mrs. Taiwo Oredipe Akadiri, honored as Balogun Obinrin
• Mr. Olalekan Sotomide, recognized as Majeobaje Egbe
• Alhaja Sadiat Lola Adesina, crowned as Iyalode Egbe
• Alhaji Ibrahim Otutu, distinguished as Balogun Egbe
• Mr. Ganiu Akadiri, hailed as Mayegun Egbe
• Prince Adebayo Temitope Kalejaye, honored as Babalaje Egbe
• Mr. Kayode Adebayo, celebrated as Mayode Egbe
• Mr. Okanlawon Fadero, recognized as Fiwajoye Egbe
• Alhaji Waheed Jimoh, esteemed as Alatunse Egbe

This colorful ceremony showcased the society's commitment to honoring its members and celebrating their achievements."

As the Blessed Bomode Oku Society marks its Diamond anniversary in a colourful way, it stands out as a trailblazer in Ogun State and possibly in Nigeria. Defying the conventional wisdom encapsulated in the Yoruba adage that '20 children can't be playmates for 20 years,' this remarkable group has not only sustained their bond for six decades but has also formalized their association, earning recognition from their community development association at 30 years and government validation.

Their enduring unity is a testament to the power of friendship and shared heritage, transcending individual life challenges and socio-economic differences.