In the next few days, the remains of Chief Stephen Gboyega Adisa Odebiyi will be laid to rest.
He was born on Friday, December 1 ,1939. His parents were Chief Vincent Babatunde Odebiyi the Baba Ijo of SS Peter and Paul catholic Church, Itesi, Abeokuta and the mother, Chief (Mrs) Roseline Oladunjoye Ajike Odebiyi a distinguished trader of blessed memory.
Chief S. G. Odebiyi had his primary education at the Augustine’s Catholic School, Itesi, Abeokuta and his Secondary School at the prestigious St. Gregory College, Obalende, Lagos. Pa Diyaolu is one of the surviving classmate.
The current Alafin of Oyo HRM Adeyemi was his senior at St. Gregory’s College. Chief S. G.
Odebiyi at the college was a lower of boxing and a good soccer player. He was nicknamed ‘Iron
Led”. After his Secondary Education, Chief S. G. Odebiyi was employed at the Nigerian Ports
Authority during which he embarked on various service training program. His love for education eventually made him to be promoted to the post of Port Supervisor within a few years of employment.
Chief S. G. Odebiyi voluntarily retired from Nigerian Ports Authority. He returned home in 1982 and started a business of his own “Kojiya Nig. Enterprises – A building contractor and supplier of building materials.
Chief Odebiyi proved that he was not tired yet, so he followed his father’s footsteps and joined the Ogun State Judiciary as a Customary Court Judge in 1987. From an ordinary member of
Grade (3), he rose to the position of President of Grade 1 Customary Court.
Before calling it a quit in the Ogun State Judiciary, Chief Odebiyi was sponsored to various seminars and training on the improvement of service delivery in the customary justice at various locations within the country.
He made sure all his children were given the best education and instill in them fear of God and cultural values. Chief Odebiyi had a keen interest in the Egbas and indeed cultural heritage.
He was installed the chieftaincy title Baage Parakoyi Itesi, from where he rose to become the head i.e “Oluwo of two townships – Itesi and Ibarapa Taafin.”
Until his last breathe, Chief S. G. Odebiyi was a custodian of culture, historian, disciplinarian, a good writer, God fearing, Fearless and Christian of the Catholic faith.
Chief S. G. Odebiyi belonged to social and religious Societies. A member of the Abeokuta Sports
Club, The Boys’s Scout, Sanmori Egba of Lagos, Supreme Mariners Club Lagos, St. John Bosco of
SS Peter and Paul, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Youth League, Special Road Marshall of FRSC to mention a few.
He is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Nieces and nephews
The only sister Magaret Anike Abegunrin
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