ETIKANPEDIA: OGHONNE HALL OF FAME, ILAJE-ETIKAN 2025, II.

II.

This edition continues with faces and synoptic profiles and faces of notable and patriotic personalities of Ilaje-Etikan Kingdom.

10. HON. (PRINCE) BANJI BENJAMIN OKUNOMO - THE FIRST ETIKAN SON TO MAKE FIRST CLASS IN LAW. 

Hon. (Prince) Banji Benjamin Okunomo was born on April 11, 1975, into the Okunomo and Ogungbeje families in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State. His early education began at St. Luke Anglican Primary School, Ode-Etikan, from 1980 to 1986, followed by secondary education at Community Grammar School, Zion Pepe, and further studies at Sani Luba Continuing Education Center, Ijebu Ode, in 1993.  

In 1995, Hon. Banji gained admission to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, where he earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech Hons) in Pure and Applied Biochemistry in 2001, graduating with a Second Class Upper Division. He also obtained certifications in Kingian Non-Violence Conflict Management from the King Luthuli Transformation Centre, South Africa, and in Data Processing.

Okunomo's professional career began with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he was posted to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). His diligence led to his retention as a contract staff, and in 2004, he became a full-fledged staff member in the Directorate of Environmental Protection and Control. His exemplary performance earned him several promotions, rising to Principal Manager in 2019.

Okunomo's political journey began in his university days as a Student Union activist at Federal University of Technology, Akure. He has been a foundation member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) since 1998 and he was one of the vibrant young Ilaje activists and politicians that agitated for the conduct of election in Ilaje Local Government between 1999 and 2003. He served as: Special Adviser (Orientation & Public Enlightenment) to the Ilaje Local Government Chairman (2003), Chairman, Ilaje Local Government (2011–2013) under Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Publicity Secretary, PDP Ondo State (2016) and Chairman of the PDP Publicity Committee for the Presidential Campaign in Ondo State. Director-General, PDP Ondo South Campaign Council (2018), leading a successful election campaign.

His flare for legal studies and Justice led him to study Law at Elizade University, Ilara-Morin. He graduated with a First Class Honour in Law in 2023 and became the first Ilaje-Etikan to achieve the sterling feat. 

In 2024, Hon. Banji Okunomo joined the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State and he was appointed as the Campaign Director General of the Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa's campaign organisation, the then Deputy Governor. Thus, leading to the victory of the first Ilaje Man to become Governor of Ondo State.

Beyond politics, Okunomo is a successful entrepreneur and farmer, specializing in agriculture and fishing, with deep-rooted expertise in the riverside economy of Ondo State. His commitment to community development in Etikan has solidified his legacy as a leader and advocate for progress and thus, justified his place as a notable Ilaje-Etikan Personality.

He is happily married to Princess Olayinka Omowole, and they are blessed with four children.  

11. HON. OLATUNDE AYEMO - LEGAL PRACTITIONER/POLITICIAN

Hon. Olatunde Ayemo was born in Maran and had his early education at St. Luke’s Anglican Primary School, Ode-Etikan. He continued his secondary education at Ayeka-Igbodigo-Oke-Igbala High School, Igbodigo, and Community High School, Ajebamidele, Ore.  

Afterward, he proceeded to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, where he obtained a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) in 2006. After successfully passing the Nigerian Bar Examination, he became a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In 2007, he was elected to the Ondo State House of Assembly, representing Ilaje Constituency II. His legislative contributions and advocacy for Ilaje and Etikan development were significant in shaping policies that impacted the region.

12. PRINCESS (CHIEF) SOPHIE BOSEDE OSOMO (NEE AJIMISAN) - ILAJE-ETIKAN FOREMOST WOMEN LEADER. 

Princess (Chief) Sophie Bosede Osomo was born in the 1920s at Ode-Etikan into the Ikumapayi Royal House of Etikan. She was the daughter of Pa Alfred Ajimisan Ojaabogun and Princess Lydia Oyedele Ajimisan (née Iyaomolere).

She had her early education at United Anglican School, Ereke/Agba, and later became one of the first students of the defunct Okitipupa Divisional Teacher Training College, Ode-Aye. She was among the first Etikan women to receive Western education and served as a teacher and school administrator under the colonial government in the early 1950s.  

She was the Ondo State Coordinator of the Better Life for Rural Women Initiative, championing women’s empowerment. In 1981, alongside her younger brother Late Patriot N.O. Ajimisan, she led the struggle that culminated into the birth of Etikan High School, Ode-Etikan, ensuring greater access to education for the local youth. Fondly called "Sisi" and "Iron Lady", she was an ardent believer in women’s empowerment for community development. She believed being a woman could not limit her height and loft.

Princess Osomo passed away in 2021, and as a way of last respect for her gargantuan contributions to development of girl-children education, advocacy, and the Anglican Church in Etikan, a special commendation service was held in her honour at Ode-Etikan, before she was laid to rest at Igboegunrin.

13. DR. TUYI MEBAWONDU - MEDICAL EXPERT/MEDIA PRACTITIONER.

Dr. Tuyi Mebawondu hails from the Aropeda Ruling House of Etikan Land. He was born into the popular Mebawondu family of Ode-Etikan. He pursued his medical education at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he trained as a medical doctor.  

Beyond medicine, Dr. Mebawondu has carved a niche for himself as an activist and public intellectual. He is a popular, well respected-air personality. Dr. Tuyi Mebawondu has been constantly featured as a guest on national and international television stations, lending his voice to discourses on healthcare, governance, and national development.

He is an illustrious Sun and worthy ambassador of Etikan Kingdom. He remains a beacon of inspiration, using his platform to educate and advocate for social progress. It's our hope at the Centre for the Propagation of Etikan Traditional Heritage (CEPETH) that Dr. Tuyi Mebawondu's story and exploits will inspire younger generations to lofty feat, intellectual exploits and impactful contributions to Etikan Land.  

14. ENGR./CHIEF ADEBAYO JAPHET OKUN-OMO - (THE OTUN BABA IJO OF ST. LUKE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, ODE-ETIKAN)

Engr./Chief. Adebayo Japhet Okun-Omo was born in the 1970s into the Royal Ikumapayi Family of Etikan Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State. His father, High Chief John Morayo Okun-Omo, served as the Balogun of Etikan Kingdom (1976–2008) and the Baba Ijo of St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Langbasa, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos (1992–2008). His mother, Mrs. Janet Orimisan Okun-Omo (née Ogungbeje), is the mother of His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedoyin Adeleke Oyetakin, Mafemiwa I, Olikan of Etikan Land.

Engr./Chief Adebayo’s educational journey began at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School (1981–1987) and continued at Victoria Island Secondary School, Lagos (1988–1993). He later attended Goethe Institute, Lagos (1996–1998), where he obtained an International Proficiency Certificate in the German Language. 

Adebayo proceeded to the Prestigious Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), earning a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Applied Geophysics (Second Class Upper Division) in 2005. He further obtained a Master’s Degree in Exploration Geophysics from the University of Lagos (2016) and is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Lagos.

He had his National Youth Service (NYSC) in Yewa North, Ogun State between 2006 and 2007. He was selected among the over 45,000 applicants across Nigeria for Chevron Nigeria Limited's prestigious vocational training program, where he received international certification for the oil and gas industry. He was employed by Chevron Nigeria Limited, where he works on the Agbami FPSO as an Instrumentation and Electronics Personnel.    

Engr./Chief Adebayo Japhet Okun-Omo is a visionary entrepreneur and staunch advocate for local content development. He is the chairman of Damaba Nigeria Limited, Prince & Princess Palace Hotel, and Triple P Hotel. Recognizing the need for financial empowerment, Adebayo founded a Micro-finance Scheme to support young graduates of Etikan extraction and others, who care to seek assistance from him.

Engr./Chief Adebayo is married to Maria Inumidun, and their union is blessed with four wonderful children. His staunch commitment to excellence in business, philanthropy, and community development makes him a rare gem to Etikan Land and humanity at large.

15. HON. SEGUN ODOLO - (FIRST COUNCILLOR OF ETIKAN WARD, POLITICAL LEADER)

Hon. Segun Odolo is a quintessential Etikan breed. He is an intelligentsia with an enormous passion for politics and political development. He has harnessed his educational exposure, political learning and connections to put Etikan Kingdom in the forefront for development. As a member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), he and other notable Etikan leaders facilitated the reopening of Etikan High School, Ode-Etikan in 2002. Hon. Segun Odolo was the first Councillor of Etikan Ward which was created in 1996. Following his Councillorship, he was the Education Secretary of Ilaje Local Government, 1999 -2003. Hon. Segun Odolo used his good offices to facilitate the employment of many indigent Ilajes especially Etikan breeds into the Primary School system.

Hon. Olusegun Odolo is currently the Executive Secretary of Ilaje Local Government Area.

16. BABABO IKUEMONISAN - HISTORIAN, DIPLOMAT, ACTOR AND FILMMAKER. 

Bababo Ikuemonisan hails from the Ojabogun-Ikumapayi Royal dynasty of Etikan Kingdom. He is one of the children of Pa. Robinson and business merchant Abamitoyi Ikuemonisan. His mother, Abamitoyi is one of the children of Pa. Augustus Mesapa Egboworomo, who was one of the earliest Ilaje progeny to travel to Cameroon and other parts of coastal Africa for deep sea fishing in the 1930s and early 1940s. Following the fruitful exploits of his maternal grandfather in Cameroon, his mother and other siblings settled overs and soon providence brought her across Pa. Robinson. They got married and established a dynasty flourishing till date.

Bababo Ikuemonisan started his elementary education in Mbiako, Cameroon, before moving to Nigeria where he enrolled at Mopileola Memorial Nursery and Primary School, Sabo-Ilaje, Ojo, Lagos State. He moved from here to Unity Secondary School, Ode-Aye, Ondo State and proceeded to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, where he studied History and International Studies.

His upbringing shaped his strong sense of history, heritage and identity. The trio influenced his academic writings, creative works and career. Bababo is a trained historian/diplomat, researcher, actor and independent Filmmaker committed to documenting historical narratives and crafting Afrocentric stories. His work spans multiple disciplines, including history, screenwriting and cinema, development and leadership. He has written at least seven academic articles, among which are "The Kingdoms Olugbo of Ugbo and Ooni of Ife. A Controversy of Manipulation of History or a Fact from Antiquity", (available at https://www.grin.com/document/915234), and "Ayetoro Sea Incursion. Reflective Discourse and Urgent Need to Open Up Ondo South in Ondo State, Nigeria for Patent Development (https://www.grin.com/document/1044993). Bababo Ikuemonisan is working on couple of articles, including a medical history research that provides insights into medical health practices in Africa and how traditional African scientists and Medical practitioners have synthesized medical plants among others to prevent, treat and cure all kinds of diseases. He is also working on a paper titled, "Antiquity, Ambiguity and Hegemonic History: A Revisitation of History of the Ilaje of Eastern Yorubaland, South-Western, Nigeria".

As a filmmaker, Bababo has written, produced, directed and co-directed remarkable films like 'A Child of My Own', 'Magic Moment', 'Luminous Sun', and 'Cacophony of Confusion', 'Ogbanje' and a three part series, 'Love, Lust and High School', which are bid for release in 2025. His three Part Series, Love, Lust and High School is currently showing on YouTube (click this link to watch https://youtu.be/EGlt7moDlOY?si=ZDOvyT2uEOOeFGrl) The series is an intensely gripping high school series which also delves into the political convulsion of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) to connect Nigeria’s past with her present and provides new insights to guide future generations.

Bababo's research and documentation of the kingdom’s heritage serve as an important resource for historical preservation and legal claims. For instance, he was privileged to co-author a book with S. Ola Ajimisan titled "Etikanology: An Encyclopedia of Etikan Traditional Heritage, Indigenous Knowledge System, and Heroism." This substantial scholarly work spans over ten centuries of the excellent existence of Etikanland untold history, traditional heritage and culture.

Bababo Ikuemonisan is a budding scholar, filmmaker, and cultural advocate whose work bridges the worlds of history, cinema, and leadership. Through his films, research, and leadership advocacy, he continues to shape conversations on Nigeria’s past, present, and future while ensuring that the stories of his people in Etikan Kingdom and other coastal communities in Ilaje nation are told.

He was the Former President of the Faculty of Arts Students' Association, (FASA) Adekunle Ajasin University chapter. He is the Chief Executive Officer of iROYAL TV and currently the Deputy Director, Centre for the Propagation of Etikan Traditional Heritage (CEPETH) and Centre for the Propagation of Ilaje Cultural Heritage (CEPICH).

17. Dr. (Prince) Godday Erewa.

Dr. (Prince) Godday Tony Erewa is a Security Consultant to Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc and Sahara Energy Services. He is also a contractor to Nigeria Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja. He was born in Escravos, Warri South-West Local Goernment of Delta State to the famous family of Amorighoye Erewa Kogun Lineage of Ode-Etikan, Etikan Kingdom in Ilaje local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. 

Prince Godday had his elementary education at Ufuoma Primary and Secondary Schools, both in Sapele, Delta State. Afterwards, he proceeded to the Delta State University, Abraka where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. He bagged a Master's degree in Psychology from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. He has also bagged a doctoral degree in Business Administration from Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin City. Due to his passion for knowledge, he proceeded to obtain a Masters Degree in Work Psychology and Business, Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom and acquired a professional certification on Occupational Psychology and Mentoring Coaching. He also attended a refresher programme at New York Security Guard Advisory Council and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, both in the United States of America. He participated in several international conferences and workshops in different parts of the globe. Suffice to say, Godday Erewa is an accomplished scholar of global repute. 

He has worked in several reputable organisations before venturing into business. 

Between 1999 and 2000, he was Electrical Project Supervisor with Lee Engineering. He also worked with ABB SOIMI between 2000 and 2002 as Electrical Technician/Project Warehouse Supervisor and it was the company that installed the first Mobile Oil and flow-station in Barhara in Nembe LGA in Bayelsa State. 

Between 2002 and 2004, he was engaged as Community Liaison Officer (CLO) and Logistics Superintendent by Interglobal procurement and Engineering Services. In recognition of his commitment to work, he was employed as Area Security Adviser by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) between 2009 and 2010 to protect the DOMGAS and oil pipelines- Trans-Facardos Pipeline (TFP), Chem.. Amakpe RAPELE pipeline and the UPS crude oil pipeline.

Dr. (Prince) Godday Tony Erewa in his bid to contribute to human capital and infrastructural development in Etikan Kingdom founded the first skill acquisition centre in Etikan, that trained many Etikan and Ilaje youths for free and even equipped them with working tools. In furtherance of his quenchless passion to contribute to global humanity, capital and infrastructural building and innovation, he established a private College of Education, with a proposed site for Godday Erewa University, Sapele. He is inarguably the first Etikan son to have achieved this sterling lofty feat.

He was installed as the Orisuwa of Warri by the current Olu of Warri, Oba Sola Emiko, Ogiame Atuwase 111 and today, given his robust contributions to innovative, human capital and infrastructural development, the Centre for the Propagation of Etikan Traditional Heritage (CEPETH) is ecstatic to recognize him as one of other notable and influential son of Ilaje land in the Oghonne Hall of Fame, 2025 Edition.

18. PROF. KEHINDE OKUN-OMO.

Prof. Kehinde Okun-omo was born to the family of Pa Matthew Konghan Okun-omo of Agba Oriretan Kumapayi royal house of Ode-Etikan. He is currently a professor of Agriculture at Delta State University, Abraka where he is doing fantastically well. He is undoubtedly the first Etikan son to be appointed a professor.

Watchout for ETIKANPEDIA: OGHONNE HALL OF FAME III.