FAMILY BACKGROUND: Late Pa Adebayo Aremu Sanni was born on October 25, 1933 to the family of Pa Gbadamosi Aberesola Sanni who was a chief Imam of Okesebe from 1938 to 1948 and Mama Asiawu Atole Adedoyin Onidoye Kooko Saki. Pa Sanni, spent his childhood days with the missionaries at Elam Memorial Primary School as a house help and was eventually converted to Christianity. He was the only son of her mother.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Late Pa Sanni-Oba also had his primary education at Elam Memorial Primary School from 1946 to 1953. He later proceeded to Baptist Teacher’s College Ede to pursue his teacher’s Grade 3 Certificate in 1956. In a bid to improve on his level of education, he went for further training at the same Baptist Teachers College Ede and obtained his Teacher’s Grade 2 Certificate in the year 1969. He was an excellent athlete who won the best sprinter’s Award in the College in 1957. During his Primary School days he displayed unequalled talent in drama as a comedian. Late Sanni was always acting the role of a king in all “plays” (entertainment) held in the school which made him popular in the community hence the nickname OBA. It has eventually become his surname “SANNI OBA”
MARRIAGE: As school mates at the Elam Memorial School and Ajegunle Baptist Day School, Late Sanni Oba met whith Late Mrs Sarah Oladebo Sanni” (Nee Afolabi) and eventually got married in 1961. Mama Sanni insisted that Adebayo Aremu must be ready to be converted to Christianity as her father (Samuel Afolabi) would not want their daughter to marry a Muslim. Owing to his comedian endowment, the missionary appointed Late Pa Sanni as house help at the Elam Memorial Primary School in 1948. He was converted with the effort of his Christian friend Pa O. O. Ogunesan and others (also of blessed memory). Adebayo Sanni got married to Sarah Oaldebo Sanni on 3rd February, 1961 (as evidenced on the photo speaks column below). Gloria-Semper-Deo, the marriage was blessed with highly fulfilled children.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Late Sanni Oba taught in the following Primary Schools in the course of his career; Moojo Primary School where he served as a Pastor for three years with his uncle Late Oseeni Sanni, Oke Amu Primary School, Ayekale Day School, Baptist Day School, Kinnikinni Saki, Irawo Community Primary School, Ofiki Baptist Day School, NUD I Primary School Saki and finally L. A. School Isia in 1988 where he eventually retired as headmaster Class 2. Late Sanni Oba had absolute respect for dignity of labour so he was both a crop farmer and livestock keeper. He also acquired the skill of a butcher (Alapata) inherited from his father at Ile Konki, Oke-Sebe, Saki.
CHURCH ACTIVITIES: He attended First Baptist Church, Oke-Adagba throughout is life time. He was particularly passionate about Evangelism and sponsored many converts in the pursuit of their educational career. He was one of the six Acting Pastors appointed in 1979 after the retirement of Late Rev. A. B. Togun. The five others were Pa J. O. Olaleye (chairman), Pa S. O. Ogundiran, Deacon J. A. Afonja, Deacon . A. Adebisi, Pa J. Togunde. They were all from Ajolaye society and had been of blessed memory. Late Sanni Oba also observed his Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the year 2002.
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Late Sanni Oba’s magnanimity with his Muslim family members, friends and the community acquired him a wide social acceptance as a comedian in the community. Late Sanni Oba was the BABA-SALA of Saki Land. he was highly distinguished and permanently recognized by his fascinating, flanking and flying cap (BABA ONI FILA GOBI). he was appointed as a supervisory councillor for Women Affairs and Community Development in Saki West Local Government in the year 2001 He was a successful business man. (sales of cow and kerosene). His brand new Peugeot 505 SR car OY 1000 SK (the only one in Saki then) was used to convey Chief Obafemi Awolowo round the big town of Saki in 1983 during the electioneering campaign of UPN (Unity Party of Nigeria). Late Sanni Oba was the Grand Patron of Saki Boys Scout Squad in 1982. He was the coordinator of Nomadic Education Program during the Buhari/Idiagbon Regime in Ifedapo Local Government. Fondly to be remembered for his popular songs: Oluwa iwo ni mo feyinti, Sanni Oba Oba ni Sanni, ko to beere ko to wo buka, etc in Yoruba.
TRANSITION: Late Adebayo Aremu Sanni Oba eventually departed this sinful world to a Glorious Eternal Home after a brief destined illness at the age of 72 on May 20th, 2005. May his gentle soul equally rest in perfect peace, Amen.!
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