DEACON OYEDIRAN DIED AT 90

Sola Adeleke, Olu of Igboora, Alex Oladeji, Wale Aderinto, others mourns…

A frontline Educationist and Igboora Community leader, Deacon Joseph Oyeleke Oyediran is dead . According to his family, the retired Teacher bid the world farewell on Tuesday, 29th April, 2025 at the ripe age of 90years.

Late Deacon Joseph Oyeleke Oyediran was a retired Principal, Igboora Community leader and a former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) of the defunct Ifeloju Local Government.

He contributed emensely to the progress of Igboora confederal Community as a member of the Igboora Progressive Union (IPU) and Igboora Council of Patrons (COP).

As a Teacher, he impacted and produced countless of personalities doing well within and outside Nigeria.

Eminent personalities have started paying tribute to the family of the late patriotic leader, amongst the personalities include the executive chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Olusola Adeleke, the Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Titiloye, pioneer Ag. Registrar of the First Technical University and former secretary, Igboora Progressive Union (IPU), Pastor Alex Oladeji and his former students, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi and Mr. Wale Aderinto.

*HE WAS A RESPECTED COMMUNITY LEADER…..* Sola Adeleke

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dn. Joseph Oyeleke Oyediran, who is also like a father to me and many more.

I have known Daddy Oyediran as we fondly call him from my childhood. He was a very close friend to my late Father, Dn. Adeleke of blessed memories. He was a respected community leader whose dedication, wisdom, and compassion touched countless lives.

May his legacy of service, leadership, and love continue to inspire us. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community during this difficult time.

May Dn. Oyediran’s memory be a blessing, and may their contributions to our community never be forgotten.

Kindly accept our condolences from Late Dn. Adeleke Simon Ojeniyi Family

*Hon. Adeleke Ayodele Olusola*

Executive Chairman
Ibarapa Central Local Government.

HE WAS A PATRIOTIC LEADER….Olu of Igboora

Deacon Joseph Oyeleke Oyediran was one of the patriotic leaders in Igboora Community.

He contributed emensely to progress of the community in several areas of leadership, most especially as an active member of the Igboora Progressive Union (IPU) and the Igboora Council of Patrons (COP).

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

His Royal Majesty.
*Oba Jimoh Titiloye,*
Asoroolu Ayinla V
Olu of Igboora.

*DEACON JAMES OYELEKE OYEDIRAN: THE EXIT OF A TITAN……..* Alex Oladeji

When I received this morning the sad news of our highly reverred soldier of Christ, Deacon J O Oyediran, the first exclamation that came out of my mouth was: “Igbo-Ora has lost another Titan.”

Indeed, we have lost another Titan in Igbo-Ora with the exit of our dearly-beloved Deacon who was a highly principled, conscientious and cerebral community Leader and Christian.

The first time I came in close contact with Deacon Oyediran was when I served as the General Secretary of the defunct Igbo-Ora Progress Union(IPU) in the 1990s. He contributed to a discussion in one of our general meetings and you could see in him the passion for this town as well as his frankness. While he was talking, some other people were trying to shout him down but he was resolute and uncompromising by hammering on his point because he was convinced that it would be the best for the community. Of course, it was what the Union eventually adopted as one of its decisions on the particular matter that day.
That says much about a man of focus, principle and rugged determination.

During my service years in the University of Ibadan and I was at Ibarapa Community & Primary Health Care Programme in Igbo-Ora, Deacon Oyediran and I usually met at several Christian fora, particularly those that had to do the Baptist Church and CAN. At such fora, he still exhibited the same qualities so generously. He was in fact a Deacon in his own class when you are talking of probity, zeal for the service of God and humanity as well as openness in terms of not keeping malice. It’s this last quality that some people misjudged and opined that he was probably “difficult” or “tough” to relate with, whereas our brother and father, Dcn James Oyeleke Oyediran was very easy to relate with for any honest and diligent person.

There goes a committed soldier of Christ, a passionate Community Leader, an uncompromising fighter for truth and a patriotic Igbo-Ora indigene in whom there was no guile! When comes another?

Deacon Oyediran, our consolation is that our loss here is a gain to heaven. You have also gone to take a well-deserved rest at home, the Heavenly Paradise, where there’s neither day or night, where the Saints are and where all who die in Christ will also be after their earthly sojourn. Therefore, rest on until the resurrection morning when we shall all meet and part no more.
May the Lord Jehovah prosper his immediate family and all loved ones in Jesus name.

*Pst. Alex A Oladeji(JP,JP)*
Pioneer Acting Registrar,
First Technical University,
Ibadan

HIS LOVE FOR IGBOORA COMMUNITY AND SERVICE OF GOD ARE WORTHY OF EMULATION…Prof. Akinlabi

Late Deacon Joseph Oyeleke Oyediran was a respected community leader with integrity and uprightness, whose dedication and love for the Igboora community and the things of God are worthy of emulation.

Pa Oyediran was among the notable community leaders who always accede to the clarion call of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, on things that pertain to our institution and the community.

He was my former teacher and will be greatly missed for his counsel and leadership roles to the community and the body of Christ.

*Prof. Akinola Akinlabi*
Rector, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora.

*His dedication to Education impacted countless lives….. __Wale Aderinto*__

Deacon Joseph Oyediran was my Economics teacher at Igboora High School in the 1980s. A retired Teacher, Mentor, Disciplinarian, very principled, intelligent, friendly and prayerful. He is a committed Community Leader.

Baba’s dedication to education and discipline has left a lasting impact on countless lives.

His wisdom, kindness and commitment to excellence have inspired generations.

His impact will forever be remembered and cherished. Goodbye Daddy.

*Wale Aderinto*

PROFILE OF LATE DEACON JOSEPH OYELEKE OYEDIRAN (1935 – 2025)

Deacon Joseph Oyeleke Oyediran, a retired Educationist, devoted Christian and Community leader was born on 2nd January, 1935 to late Pa and Madam Oyediran in Baale Adeoye’s compound, Igboora, Ibarapa Central Local Government, Oyo State.

In his zeal to embrace the then Western Education, he attended Baptist School I, Igboora from 1952 to 1956. He proceeded to the Methodist Modern School, Igboora and Wesley College, Ibadan for his Secondary and Grade II Teachers’ Certificate. He later a earned Bachelor of Education in Educational Management and Economics at the University of Ibadan.

He started his teaching career at Methodist Modern School, Igboora (1965-1966), Headmaster at Oyero Methodist School, Abeokuta (1967-1969), Anglican Secondary School (1970), Education Instructor in Nigerian Army (1970-1983), Principal, Igboora High School (1983-1989) and Principal, Ayelogun Grammer School (1990-1999).

As a community leader, he was an active member of the Igboora Progressive Union and the Igboora Council of Patrons (defunct highest decision making organ of Igboora).

As a religious leader, he was ordained a Deacon at the First Baptist Church, Igboora, Treasurer and Publicity Secretary, Opeoluwa Baptist Association (Igboora -Igangan) from 1984-1987 and 1988 – 1993 respectively, Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ibarapa Local Government (1984-1989), and Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Ifeloju Local Government (1991-1996).

In 1991, late Deacon Oyediran was the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ifeloju Local Government. He was selected a facilitator at the Center for Democratic studies in 1990. He was the Principal Training Officer, Nigeria Commission Ifeloju Local Government (1991-1992).

He was awarded as a defender of the less privilege by a corporate organization, Pan-African Liberation International Project (PALIP) in 2002. He owned Ingenious Comprehensive Academy, a private secondary School in Igboora.

He died peacefully on Tuesday, 29th April, 2025 at age 83years.

Late Deacon Joseph Oyeleke Oyediran is survived by Wife, Children and Grandchildren.