By Editor
The Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, HRM Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, Afuntade 1 has mourned the passing of elder statesman and community leader, Chief Theophilus Olufemi Araoye, the Amuagun of Irorin quarters, Ilawe Ekiti.
The reverred retired teacher who passed on Wednesday, 14th August, 2024 at a very ripe age of 93 marked the end of an era of great school principals of his group in Ilawe Ekiti.
The royal father in a tribute on his Facebook page signed by High Chief Olubunmi Ajibade, his Director of Media said Chief Araoye was popularly known by his colleagues (School Principals) and Students as “O THEOPHILUS ” an appellation taken from the first verse of the Acts of Apostles in the Bible.
“Indeed, our own Theophilus was a man of many parts. He spent most of his working years as a teacher of students in several schools producing great Nigerians.
“Chief Araoye was the pioneer principal of Ode Ekiti High School, a secondary school I was privileged to attend. Although, he had been transferred from the school as at the time of my studentship, I nevertheless benefited from his enduring legacies in the college.
His Students throughout the country would mourn him dearly.
“In our town, Ilawe Ekiti, he was a great Community leader ,a Chief as well as a religious leader. He was of good and respectable family. His parents Pa John Araoye and Mama Teniola Araoye were well known to me. Pa John, the Dad was a great disciplinarian, yet, as kids, we spent quality time with him listening to his voice of wisdom.
“I installed Chief Olufemi Araoye as the Amuagun of Irorin quarters where he showed great leadership while in the religious circle, Chief Araoye as a Christian was an extra ordinary organist using the Piano to compose songs in the Church and at home with great dexterity.Heavy musical organs were mere toys to him because of his mastery of the keyboards.
“Much more could be said about Late Chief Olufemi Araoye but the important thing is that he lived well with good legacies.
“May God console the family he left behind and accept his soul in paradise”
