The family name, Ogbara, is one of the few names in Ikorodu Division that arrest attention, make heads turn and make listeners pay close attention, for the reason that the name usually strikes a huge imagery of success everyone wishes to identify with. The name has become synonymous with wealth, success and affluence that anyone who bears Ogbara as a surname in Ikorodu commands instant respect and honour.
A reasonable number of notable billionaires, owners of estates and A-lists business tycoons from Ikorodu are from the Ogbara dynasty.
However, one important information many admirers often overlook is, who is the matriarch or patriarch of the Ogbara family? Exactly forty-seven years ago, the patriarch of the Ogbara dynasty, the late Chief Abudu Kehinde Ogbara passed on to eternity, leaving behind nine children, over forty grandchildren and many great grandchildren, large wealth and traditional titles.
Forty-seven years after his passage, Pa Abudu’s legacies and influence have spread like lush creepers around the country, as his descendants are notable billionaires, business moguls, real estate investors, philanthropists and influential politicians. While the Ogbara name has become synonymous with success, his grand children who appreciate the labour and legacies of their great patriarch decided to honour the late Pa Abudu Kehinde Ogbara. The remembrance day of his forty seventh passing on anniversary was marked at his residence at Itunsokun, off Ladega, Ikorodu, where more than eighty of his grandchildren and great grandchildren assembled to pray for the repose of his soul and appreciate his foundational efforts and legacies.
His descendants home and abroad, gathered at his personal residence on October 30, 2022, where Islamic priests and admirers joined them to offer special prayers. Convener of the remembrance, Deaconess Wonu Aderibigbe-Oshinowo, who is the APC Women Leader, Ikorodu Division and a grandchild of Chief Abudu Kehinde Ogbara, said that the event is a starting point for the extended family who planned on immortalizing their patriarch. She explained to Oriwu Sun that descendants of Pa Abudu Kehinde Ogbara, both home and those in diaspora, had initiated a platform where they hold family meetings centered on their common ancestry.
“This event is the first step the family is taking to establish a commemorative annual event in honour of our late patriarch. Though, many of our brothers, sisters, cousins, children and grandchildren are not present today, they are all aware and some of them made cash donations towards actualizing this event.” Deaconess Wonu Aderibigbe Oshinowo told the Publisher.
According to many family members who corroborated Deaconess Wonu Aderibigbe Oshinowo’s assertion, the extended family of the late patriarch had been established on online platform where they meet and discuss relevant family matters.
Mr. Yussuf Ogbara who is a grandchild of the patriarch and a businessman, told our reporters that the Ogabra descendants are looking forward to organising a grand memorial event on the fiftieth anniversary of the patriarch passing on, “Today’s remembrance is only a first step, on the fiftieth anniversary, we plan on hosting our family members and guests at the Ikorodu Town Hall, where there would be large celebration.”
With nine children from five wives, more than forty grandchildren and countless great grandchildren, the Late Chief Abudu Ogbara has many descendants who are celebrating his legacies and would not spare anything to immortalize him. Aside being a rich man who produced many successful children and grandchildren, the late Pa Abudu Ogabra was the Oluwo of Ikorodu from 1968 to1975, a very important position for a true son of the soil. In the seven years he served his kingdom as the Oluwo, Pa Abudu Ogbara made history as the only Oluwo of Ikorodu who crowned two kings in the Kingdom. The traditional function of the Oluwo is to act as the head of other traditional priests and holds the honour of placing the crown on the head of a newly appointed king in the kingdom. In the enclave of many traditional heads, placing the crown on the head of the king after all other rites have been completed is reserved for the Oluwo who performs the final rights by placing the crown on the head of the new king.
Chief Abudu Ogbara had the honour during his lifetime as the only Oluwo of Ikorodu who crowned two great rulers of Ikorodu, Oba Solomon Ladega and Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, respectively.
The patriarch of the eponymous Ogabra Family, also made name for himself as a successful businessman who was well known amongst his peers and built many houses in town. His story got so interesting; as he was a devoted Muslim who was appointed head of traditional priests- Oluwo. He became a legend after he served his kingdom as Oluwo and maintained his Islamic faith.
According to source, Pa Abudu was a strong pillar of Islamic groups in Ikorodu and when he was appointed the Oluwo of Ikorodu, he continued his support for his Islamic groups and even helps converted some of his brothers who were traditional worshipers into Islam.
Again, Pa Abudu Kehinde Ogabra had nine children from five wives and all the nine children became important forces to reckon with in the kingdom. His first wife, Omineye, begot Alhaja Nusirat Ogbara and Alhaji Lamidi Ogbara; his second wife, Munirat, gave birth to Alhaji Ganiyu Ogbara; his third wife, Miniyat gave birth to Alhaji Yekinni Ogbara;; his fourth wife, Sabitiu, gave birth to Alhaja Suwebat Ogbara, Alhaji Yakubu Ogbara, Alhaji Yahaya Ogbara and Alhaja Bintu Ogbara; his fifth wife, Bilikisu, gave birth to Alhaji Saliu Ogbara.
All these men and women made names for themselves and made impact in the society. For instance, the famous Alhaji Lamidi Ogbara had numerous houses scattered across Lagos State, and it was alleged that during his height of fame, the Lagos State Government had to restrict him from building houses after he had houses in almost every major street of Lagos.
One of his daughters, Folorunsho Alakija, has remained the richest black woman in Africa and shared record with Oprah Winfrey as the richest black woman in the world. With all the children gone except Alhaja Bintu, who is still alive, many grandchildren of Pa Abudu Kehinde Ogbara including Deaconess Wonu Aderibigbe-Oshinowo, Alhaji Kazeem Ogbara and many others remain influential in Ikorodu Division. Many of the Ogabras are in diaspora and are doing great in their respective endeavours while those at home are accomplished lawyers, engineers, business tycoons and so on.
The Ogbara family name, today, is a highly respected name in Lagos and many wish to identify themselves with the Ogbaras. There is a story of family friends who claimed the name and proudly bear the Ogbara name. The Ogbara descendants are also well known in religious circles as they actively participate in religious activities by making donations to building of worship centres across Ikorodu town.
Shortly before the Islamic priests began conducting the Fidau prayer, Publisher of Oriwu Sun, Chief Monzor Olowosago and his reporter, Ramson Acheme, engaged some family members in chitchat. The publisher, who was fascinated by how the family members were able to converge after forty-seven years their patriarch passed on, began enquiry.
The grandchildren, who were delighted about the development, told the curious pressmen how they had created a social media platform in the name of Pa Abudu Kehinde Ogbara two years ago and have since then hold virtual meetings.
“I don’t want to lose the paternal root, hence I visit this family house frequently. We actually planned on making this 47th remembrance a big event, but due to financial constraints, we decided to keep it on a low key. Though, some of our members sent in contributions, we expect many others to respond while we plan the big event for grandpa’s 50th remembrance.” Deaconess Oshinowo said.
She added that hopefully, when other members of the extended family respond; the 50th remembrance anniversary might be done at the LASUSTECH premises, if the Ikorodu town hall would not be enough.
The grandchildren, who spoke to Chief Monzor, said that they see their grandfather’s house as a fountain of the Ogabra lineage and everything they have. They were happy to gather members of the extended family and reminded them of the role their great patriarch played during his days.
Chief Monzor Olowosago, who commended the Ogabra Family for taking such a great move said, “This event would be an eye opener to many families in the kingdom. Our family had plans to do spectacular remembrance for our late grandfather and father, but it seems to elude us for a while now.
I strongly believe that with the success recorded by the Ogbaras in doing this remembrance; we and many other families with patriarchs in Ikorodu, will pick up the challenge.”
The Oriwu Sun publisher reiterated the importance of such family meeting and event, stating that it serve as a means for reunion, tightening family bonds and serves as a means to socialize the younger generation into the family lore and history. “For example, I have just learnt important lessons about the Ogabra lineage by attending this event and I am happy I did;” Monzor added.
Yussuf Ogbara further explained that the 47th remembrance is not just a first of the many other remembrance of their patriarch, although it serves as a wake-up call for all descendants of their source, to be remembering grandpa’s house as their fountain.
Our reporter also spoke with a third generations of Ogbara descendant, Taofeek Ogbara, a fourteen year old boy in SS2, about his impression of the 47th remembrance of his great grandfather and his response as noted was, “I have learnt valuable things about my great grandfather. I like everything that happened here today.”
The Islamic clerics who officiated the Fidau prayer started with Quran recital about five minutes to 2 p.m, after which they sang solemn songs in Arabic and recited some prayer verses from the Holy Qur’an.
The first cleric spoke about the Ogabra family influence in Ikorodu Muslim community. “It might interest you to know that one-third of the active participants in Islamic activities in Ikorodu are from the Ogbara Family,” the cleric told his attentive audience.
According to the cleric, though, the late Pa Abudu Ogabra was appointed a traditional chief priest- the Oluwo of Ikorodu, during his lifetime, Pa Abudu had influenced many to become dedicated Muslims. “From his first name ‘Abudu’, one can tell that his parents were Muslims and he never jettisoned his father’s religion even after he was made a traditional priest of this kingdom. He made significant contributions to the Muslim communities during his time.”
The second cleric who gave the remembrance sermon, eulogised the late patriarch of the Ogbara dynasty, commending the grandchildren for holding the memorial in honour of their grandfather. The cleric, who related God’s edict to humanity to worship Him alone, also commanded the children to honour their parents.
According to the Islamic scholar, honouring parents while they are still alive is very important and keeping their memory alive is also a very good thing to do. He cited many influential patriarchs in Ikorodu who did so well during their time and earned themselves good will amongst the people.
“Today, we honour names like the Ogbaras, the Olowosagos, the Bensons, and many others for their service to the society. Their children must continue in their goodwill. I can say categorically here that the Ogbara head was not only a dedicated Muslim; his children are also doing great amongst Muslim communities. Same can be said of the Olowosago family, the late Lamidi Olowosago was a strong pillar of Ikorodu Central Mosque as he provided us funds and water for ablution.
Today, his son, Monzor Olowosago, is keeping up the good work. People should follow the good step of their fathers,” he encouraged the attentive audience.
Before he concluded his sermon, one of the grandchildren of the Ogbara Family, announced that the group has decided to change the glasses of the district mosque. They pledged to replace the window glasses of the masjid with modern ones. This, they decided to do as part of their grandfather’s commemoration. The Islamic clerics were happy about the announcement and added that the Ogbara Family has remained a strong pillar of Islam in the kingdom.
Responding to the positive comments about their family, some of the grandchildren said that though, there are people of different religious groups amongst the extended family, nevertheless, they usually put their different religious creeds aside whenever they discourse family matters.
“Like the popular saying goes, a river cut from its sources would run dry, we have to pull ourselves together and unite as one big strong family. We must keep doing this for the sake of our children and grandchildren too, they must know their roots and their affinity,” Mrs. Wonu said in her parting words.