THIS is St. Paul’s Anglican Church in the nodal town of Igbara-Oke, in all its magnificence, as shot on Tuesday by @Stylomedia. It is said to have been built in 1884. My dad wrote a book detailing how Christianity came into the town. Come with me to Igbara-Oke. 
2. In the book “Origin of Education in Igbara-Oke”, my dad, Isaac Adebayo Obe, states that his own father, Samuel Olaworo Ogunlusi Obe (you’ll hear more about him later) told him that “one Mr Eso introduced Christianity to Igbara-Oke.” He’s the one here.
3. I found out more about the man known as Oyinbo Joel Eso. He was the dad of Femi Esho (he added “h” to his own name), of Evergreen Music, promoters of old Nigerian songs. Pa Eso was one of the early CAC evangelists with Joseph Ayo Babalola. (Pic: Both of them in 1946.)
4. In I-Oke, Pa Eso formed the Egbe Alubere, comprising men in the same age group. My granddad (in pic) was 1 of them. “Mr Eso sold ABD (Yoruba Primer One) to the members (who) met in a house every Sunday (and) preached the word of God to them and taught them how to read.”
5. There were at least 18 members in that society.
As their number increased, an appeal went to the king and his chiefs to allocate a piece of land to build a church. Soon, a small thatched-roof Church was built.
The CMS came in and St Paul’s was born....
As their number increased, an appeal went to the king and his chiefs to allocate a piece of land to build a church. Soon, a small thatched-roof Church was built.
The CMS came in and St Paul’s was born....
6. My grand-dad would later be installed the Sapetu of Igbara-Oke. In the traditional leadership structure, the Sapetu is the High Chief next to the king. No, he can’t be the king.
...and that ends my story. Thank you for taking the ride with me.
...and that ends my story. Thank you for taking the ride with me.
