OTUNBA
Funso Ajayi
OTUNBA ARIJELOYE OF IJEBU
Otunba Funso Iteola Ajayi, the Agba Akin of Ijebu Ife and Otunba Arijeloye of Ijebu derives his title from his maternal root, the Alalaja family of Ipamuren (Pemu yemu) and Idowa. He is in many ways symbolic of the Ajayi Jegede Family of their many attributes, he is perhaps best know for his indefatigable commitment to family, groups and society and his deep broad sense of humour. Little wonder that he has been and still remains the Secretary of the Ajayi Jegede Family, where he has managed, for many years, to foster a unity of purpose and a self-less commitment to the welfare of all its members in all works of life, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth.
But his energies transit beyond the family circle, he is a Past-President of Omo Olu-Iwa Club (having attended Olu-Iwa College, Ijebu-Ode, from 1954-1958); a Past Chairman of Moderates Club; and a member of both Island Club and Yoruba Tennis Clubs, Lagos; a Past President of Chairman Companion Society; and a member of Fountain of Hope Society, Cathedral Church of Our-Saviour, Ijebu-Ode amongst a host of others. Community service is not neglected by Otunba Arijeloye, he was a member of the Awujale Palace Building Committee where he also served on its technical Sub-Committee.
His nomination to serve on the Palace Building committee and his level of performance is not unconnected with Otunba Funso Ajayi’s basic training. He studied in Northern Polytechnic, London (1961-1966) where he became a Diplomat in Electronics and Radio Engineering. He broadened his experience in administration by working at the Nigerian Railway Corporation between 1958 and 1961, and his technical education by service in the Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation between 1966 and 1969. He joined the Nigerian Army as a Signal Officer in 1979.
So much was packed in his ten years of service in the Army – with courses at Royal School of Signals, Bradford, UK; Nigeria Military Training School, Jaji; Nigerian Institute of Management; University of Laval, Quebec, Canada. His onerous responsibilities included being a Technical Instructor at the Nigeria Army School of Signals; Deputy Commander of the 2 Division Signal Regiment; Commanding Officer at the Signals Technical workshops etc.
Those energies, knowledge and experience finally exploded on the private sector, with successful impression in rural electrification projects, building construction and hospitality – his newest project is F&G Hotel and Suites.
Otunba Funso Iteola Ajayi, Otunba Arijeloye of Ijebu is happily married and blessed with many children.
Incidentally, he shares an anniversary with our revered Father, Kabiyesi Alayeluwa, Oba Dr. S. K. Adetona, Ogbagba II, as he was exactly 22 years old on the 13th of April, 1960 when Royal Father was enthroned.
