•What The Doyen Of Building Industry Told City People
On the 5th of June 2021, Ijebuland lost an illustrious son. That was the day Otunba Fatai Isola Osikoya, popularly called FISKO passed on to greater glory @ 94.
Pa. Osikoya was an illustrious son from illustrious families. and what many have described as a distingushed Omoluabi of Ijebuland.
His profile is very rich and intimidating. He lived an exemplary life and was a great icon who served as the 2nd Chairman, Institute of Building Nigeria Centre, 1st President, Nigerian Institute of Building, and 1st Chairman, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria . His company Fisco Ltd, was involved in the construction and expansion of Ijebu Ode township roads from the narrow old colonial surface dressing to asphalt with covered drainages in the seventies. He also served as the Chairman of Ijebuode Central Mosque Building Technical Committee till he died. His contributions to the development of Islamic Institutions in Ijebu land and Lagos is monumental. His financial and moral support to various clubs and associations will always be remembered. He was a pillar of support to the Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria.
On his 90th birthday, another Ijebu Chief, Chief Bisi Rodipe told the gathering that when he was Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Otunba Osikoya used to collect the Council’s meager monthly Road allocation, add his company’s resources to resurface the I’-Ode roads. Late Chief Imam Salisu Ajejulehun told me that FISKO bought the New Burial Ground for The Ijebu-Ode Mislim Community among many other things.
He played enviable roles in the Civil Engineering profession in Nigeria. He was one of the Civil Engineering contractors that broke the domination of foreign contractors in Nigeria by the establishment of FISKO Coy Ltd which became the local Julius Berger in old Western States as well as in Kwara State. His philanthropic activities though mostly done silent but loud in effectiveness and mostly enduring. Traditionally, his voice was well respected in all domain in Ijebuland. He was father to many Kabiyesi.
Otunba F. I Osikoya was well-principled, frank and God-fearing and his wisdom, experience as well as love for his families and Ijebu tradition will surely n sorely be missed at various times.
He was born great. He achieved greatness. And had greatness thrust upon him. That best surmarises the inspiring story of Otunba Osikoya who died a few weeks back.
Recently, the Ijebu Muslim College Old Students’ Association (IMCOSA), Ijebu-Ode commiserate with the entire Osikoya Family and Eniodumo Dynasty on the passage to glory of the Patriarch and Olori-Ebi, Otunba Fatai Isola Osikoya.
According to them, Pa. FISKO’s life and accomplishments are worthy of emulation as his name is already etched on the marble of life and giant footprints on the sand of time. He was the father of building engineering profession in Nigeria, first Nigerian & Africa registered as building engineer, a core family man with good character and sense of decorum, a quiet philanthropist par excellence, peacemaker, religion & community leader of an inestimable value. Pa. Osikoya’s contributions to the propagation and promotion of Islam and western education of the youths are unparallel in the modern time as summarized but not limited to:
• Founder Alhaja Kose Memorial Scholarship to immortalize his grandmother, late Alhaja Osenatu Alli, (the first woman to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in Ijebuland in 1936).
• The scholarship is awarded annually to Muslim Students in the Secondary School in Ijebu-Ode and environs.
• The scholarship to undergraduates in the tertiary institutions.
• Donation of Prizes for best students in Religious Studies at the University of Ibadan, Olabisi Onabanjo University and Tai Solarin College of Education, Ijebu-Ode.
• Donation of a fully equipped library with furniture’s and books to the Muslim Girls High School, Ijebu-Ode in honor of Alhaja Kose Memorial.
• Donation of fully equipped library to Moslem Comprehensive High School, Imepe, Ijebu-Ode, in honor of his late father R.S. Manager.
• Construction of paved road at his Alma-Mater Ijebu-Ode Grammar School.
• Member, Building Committee that completed the Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque, Chief Imam’s residence, a social hall and quarters for caretakers and gardeners. Engr. Kayode Sote, the National President of the Association signed the letter.
Lets tell you more. He was born into a very religious and dedicated moslem family in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State of Nigeria, on Saturday the 10th of December 1927. He told City People his story when he turned 90. According to him, my father was Pa Raji Sanni Osikoya – popularly known and called R.S. Manager of Itantebo quarters in Ijebu-Ode, and the OLORI EGBE (President) OBAFOWORA Age group of Ijebu Ode.
“My father was also the second child of Alfa Sanni Osikoya alias Agbomiyan, he told City People a few years when he turned 90. My paternal grandmother was the daughter of the Akija of Ikija-Ijebu, Oba Arayagboye of the Ojigi Ruling House. My mother was Alhaja Saudatu Alli Oduwole popularly known as Alhaja Olorire from Kose and Oduwole Enikodunmo families of Porogun in Ijebu Ode. My mother too was from the Oba Rubakoye Ruling House of Ijebu Ode. It is interesting to note that right from childhood, I lived with my grandmother Alliaja Osenatu Alli Oduwole. This was why I was popularly called OMO IYA AGBA by my friends during my school days. I had my early education at the Moslem School Ijebu-Ode. The school was located at the premises of the central mosque at Oyingbo. I remember very well in 1933 that my set had no class, we were made to sit on the mat at a comer of the school, because, according to the education rule then, no one could start the elementary education until his right arm, passed over his head, could get the palm to cover his left ear. Those of us who couldnot pass this test, were made to sit on the mat playing until the school closed. This was equivalent to the “JELEOSIMI” class of the present day. I was posted into ABD class in 1934. When the mosque was demolished in’1936, part of the school was moved to Italapo and part to Pa S.S. Olorunnimbe house at Idele. It was from these two places that the school finally moved to Isoku at the permanent site. I must say here, the contribution of students towards the building of the permanent site.
Every Friday, all students from Alapo and Idele would go to the permanent site to collect sand from the natural drains leading to lgbabeto river. It was the sand collected that was used in the construction work of the new classrooms. We finally moved to the new site at Isoku in 1938. In those days, there was real
discipline in school. A teacher’s word was Law, both in the school and in the house. In 1936, I was made to go and live with the late Mr. A. Ogun one of the senior teachers at the Moslem school. This was because of my rascality and playfulness at home. I was not happy at my mother’s decision. But I soon had consolation at Mr. Oguns place. On getting there. I discovered that his sister was my cousin’s fiancee. She took very great care of me and would not allow a fly to hurt me. I came to prefer the place to my mother’s place. This only lasted for few months before I was asked to return home. On my return to my mother’s place, Ijoined the rest of the children at home to attend the Quranic school at Alfa, LaminaAlaga’s school atAledo-Ijasi. We would go to the Moslem school in the morning, on our return
home in the afternoon, we would attend the Quranic school, and also all day on Saturdays and Sundays.It
was at the Quranic school that I met, the late Ahaji Mbasiru Belo and the late Ambali Sanni known then as Ambali Olapekun, we all became good friends. It was later that I learnt that Alhaji Belo and myself are cousins.
In 1939, I was admitted into the preparatory class of Ijebu Ode Grammar school. I was really very happy to be admitted, because it reduced the long distance walk in the morning from my house to Moslem school at Isoku by about two miles. Even though I had been admitted to the Grammar school, I did not drop my rascality. It was greatly affecting my studies. This made my mother to decide in 1940 to forcibly take me to the District Officers (D.O.) office in Ijebu Ode, to be enlisted into the army. This was at the start of World War II, when people were being enlisted into the army. With the persuasion of a lot people, my mother dropped the idea. Instead, she took me in 1941, to Bishop Odutola’s boarding house at the St. Saviour’s Church parsonage at Italawajoda Ijebu Ode. It was here, I met the late Dr. Oluremi Adebonojo, Justice Bayo Oduwole, Remi Otufale, Prince Christopher Otubusin among others. It was during this period that I also met the late Otunba Delphus Adebayo Odubanjo who was then a regular visitor to the parsonage from his nearby home. We later realised that we are cousins. Pa l A. Odubanjo, Delphus father, took me as one of his sons and was nice to me throughout the rest of his life. May their gentle souls Rest in Perfect Peace Amen.
The rascality and playfulness affected my stulhes greatly at the Grammar School. It was not until 1946, when those students who were admitted into the preparatory school with me, were passing out of the school and leaving me behind that I realised what I had been doing with my life. In that year, when Rev. S.R.S. Nicholas became the principal of the school, I was punished with some students for leading my class in a log-a-head against our mathematics teacher, who failed to solve a geometry problem. We were made to cut grass for one week. After this episode, I prayed to my God and decided to change. A year later, to my amazement and with the unanimous decision of the lecturers, I was awarded the prize for the Best student in the school. What a great change. I am a talented artist and someone gifted with the use of his hands. Nobody taught me how to draw or paint, but I could do all these freely to the admiration of
people. While in the Grammar School, I did most of the drawings and paintings hung on the walls. I also earned a good living through sign writing. My business name was “OSI SIGN”. I was able to help my fellow students through my earnings in sign writing. It was interesting to note that the business is still alive, having been passed down from one member of the family to the other. I am also happy to say that I contributed to the happiness of some fellow students. During the Grammar School days, I made a lot of friends with my classmates, my seniors and juniors at school. These included Engr. Oladipo Ilumoka, Ademola Osoba, Kolawole Onafarasin, the late Kolawole Sonaiya, Otunba Fatal Teriba, Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, Otunba Ademola Fowora, Alhaji Mosiudi Owodunni, Ambassador Awokoya who is also my cousin, Surveyor Adekunle Kukoyi and his brother Ayodele Kukoyi, amongst others. Even though I was rascally, I was still loved by most of my teachers.
I too respected them and still honour those that are still alive. Due respect-is here paid to Pa S.M. Okuwobi, Prof. A. Akinsanya and Ven. B.A. Adelaja. As mentioned earlier, I (Omo IyaAgba) lived with my gradmother all my school life. In 1948, my mother, who was then trading in Kaduna, invited me to Kaduna to come and start work there. Relying on her cousin the late Pa S.R. Onabanjo who was one ofthe senior Managers in the Accountant-General’s office then, to help in fixing me into an appointment. This was possible immediately on my arrival in Kaduna, and I started work as a third class clerk in the Government Treasury. Not really used to clerical work, and still itching to make use’ of my technical talent, I decided to look for a technical job. During the period of my annual leave to lbadan in December 1950, 1 was able to secure a post as a Draughtsman (plan record keeper) at the Western Region Lands Department, Ibadan, through the effort of my friend the late Mr. Kolawole Sonanya. It was from here I sent my letter of resignation to the Treasury in Kaduna. One could imagine how furious Pa Onabanjo and my mother would be on receiving the news of my letter of resignation. My mother wanted me to return to Kaduna immediately to continue with my work, but 1 refused. I pleaded with her to let me stay in Ibadan. I was really happy with my work at the Landi Department because I was able to display my talent. was also able to move with my friends an: schoolmates who were working in Ibadan. It has always been said that God works in miraculous way. The week I got to Ibadan fror Kaduna, I registered myself at the Labour offict Ibadan and obtained my labour card. This was the procedure in those days before you can be placed in a employment. No sooner I got my labour card, I was sent to the Secretariat for interview as a clerical officer. I passed the interview and was asked to start work the following day. I decided to take the job pending the time that a Technical one would come my way. In the office where I was posted, a relation of mine was the Chief clerk, and he was happy to receive me.
Two days after starting work, a vacancy existed for a draughtsman at the Lands Department which was the next block to ours. My friend the late Kola Sonaiyaran up to me and informed me about it, and also said that Labour Department would be sending two candidates that morning for interview. We both planned the strategy of what to do in order that I could be included at the interview. We decided that I should sit with the two candidates sent from Labour. and if asked of my Labour card, I should say that the Labour Officer asked me to go and join the candidates to try my luck. This plan worked. The Commissioner of Lands, who was an expatriate Officer, took the three of us in his car to the Survey Department for a test in draughtsmanship. One could imagine what the result would be, if the other two were not good in drawing. We were given a one hour test in lettering. This, I finished in less than twenty minutes, when the other two could not even complete theirs within the hour stipulated. There and then, I knew I had got the job. I was given a letter of appointment to start work on Monday, the day of the interview being Friday. Here was the beginning of my luck to travel to England. On that Friday, I was completely absent from my table at the Secretariat.
Nobody in the office knew where I was. When I came back to office in the afternoon, after having obtained a letter of appointment from the Lands Department, 1 faked illness. I told my boss that I had diarrhea, and had to go somewhere to rest when I could not control it. I then asked for permission to go home which was granted. I then left for Ijebu, full of joy. The following day, my boss in my section, whom I said was a relation, saw my uncle at Ijebu and told him of my diarrhoea the previous day. He became very worried and came to look for me at my grandmother’s place. It was during conversation with my maternal uncle that my uncle disclosed what plan he was making for me. He said his friends were planning to send their children to the U.K to further their studies, and he too had decided to help me if I still wanted to further my education. This idea immediately stuck into my head. From that moment I tarted making enquiries about my future profession. I worked in the Lands Department till December 1951 when I finally left for the U.K in search of the Golden Fleece white lady met with the Head of my Department and she told him of her mission. The Head of the Department was happy that – at last, I would get an accommodation. But before the lady left the office, she asked of my nationality, and
she was told that I am a igerian. She did not know where Nigeria is on the map. She was told that it is in Africa. As soon as she heard this, she shrunk and her attitude changed. She was then asked of what was wrong. She simply said. “Nothing” and that she would write to me the following day. The first letter I received on getting to the college the following day was that ofthe lady saying that she was sorry, and that the room had been taken by another person. That broke the camel’s back, and I decided to return to London. While in London, I met the late Architect Onafowokan of Ikorodu, and he introduced me to the late Arc. R.S. Nickson the architect who designed the Cocoa House at Ibadan and the Western House in Lagos. Mr. Nickson was impressed with my. draughtsmanship and he decided to take me on in his office until the next session at the University, when I would have got acclimatised and be able to resume my studies.
Before the resumption in the College at the next session, a cousin of mine had been able to convince me to change my course to Building Engineering instead of Architecture. According to him, there was no money in architecture, compared with Building Engineering. At that time, building contractors who did not study the subject, were making huge sums of money at home than architects who were not even known in the Country then, except few draughtsmen who prepared building plans for approval. The argument convinced me, and I applied to the Brixton school of Building now the University of West Bank to study Building Engineering. I was there from 1952 to 1957 when I obtained the Higher National Diploma in Building and the Licentiate Diploma of the Institute of Building to become the first African to obtain the L.I.O.B. In the same year 1957, I also obtained the Associate Membership of the Building Surveyors Institute. ‘In 1954, I was awarded a scholarship by the Western Government of igeria to study Building Engineering. I am happy to say that at the college, I created academic record which gave black students opportunity for admission into the college with ease. I returned to igeria also on Christmas eve of 1957, given me exactly six years absence from the Country. Amongst the Nigerians that were in the College at that time, were Engr. A.A. Oke, and Engr. Obosi formerly of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. During my final year in the college, it came to my knowledge that the best final year student in the preceding year was awarded a British scholarship for post graduate studies in Building Engineering at the Mas achusetts Institute of Technology in the U.S.A. This prompted me, as the best student in my class, to apply for the same scholarship for a year post graduate studies at the end of my course. This was turned down on the excuse that I was not a British born, and that I should apply to my own Government for the scholarship. Through my college, I then applied to the Western Nigeria Government for the extension of my scholarship to enable me to go to M.LE. T. for the post graduate studies. The application was well supported by the Head of my Department and the Principal of the college. For over two months, there was no reply to this application. I had to personally visit the office of the Western Nigeria Government in London to know what was happening. They too had not received any reply from Nigeria, but promised to follow it up. After about another four weeks of waiting, the reply came that I should return to Nigeria after completing my course because my services were urgently needed at home. This put a full stop to my going to the U.S.A. for post-graduate studies. I was terribly disappointed, but there was nothing I could do, I had to admit my fate. I had to return to Nigeria after my graduation. While in College, I organised and started the College Magazine in 1955. 1 was the Editor until 1957 when 1 completed my course and left the College. When I visited the College in 1962 on one of my trips to London. the magazine was still going strong and most of the Lecturers remembered me.
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