I can still remember when I got the news of the demise of the 1st Provost of The Cathedral of St. Peter at Ake, Abeokuta, the Very Rev. ADENEYE OLUFEMI OLOMODOSI. How time passes by. The man fondly called ‘Magister-lommy’ or ‘magi’ for short, a nickname which stood the test of times right from his days as a teacher. By the way ‘Magister’ literally means ‘Master; sir; – a title of the Middle Ages, given to a person in authority, or to one having a license from a university to teach philosophy and the liberal arts.’

Rev Olufemi Olomodosi who was one of the very first recipients of a pace maker from the University teaching hospital, Ibadan in Oyo state of Nigeria went on to live for another 10 years.

From the little I know of him, he was a thorough bred. He was astute, fluent in both English and Yoruba. Rumours had it that his failure to rise through the ranks was because of his uncompromising philosophy. He was a carer of people, judging by the numerous relatives and non-relatives that lived in the official residence of the Provost in Ake, Abeokuta.

I had heard so many fond stories about the learned man known as ‘Magister’. In those days, newly married couples knew it was a risky take if they chose to come to church for the marriage ceremony. He has been known to start services with the bride on her  way. Let’s just say he kept to time at all times.

He is fondly remembered today, 25 years after he departed mother earth. Many have very fond memories of ‘Magister’.

My own fond memory of the late great ‘Magister’ occurred sometime last year. 24 years after his death. Would you believe it.

I wasn’t present, but a couple of people that were present narrated the story of how the embalmed body of the late very Rev. Adeneye Olufemi Olomodosi was 95% intact when bodies of the departed, buried in the church premises of the Cathedral in Ake had to be transferred to another location within the church premises due to the road expansion that was taking place. That story took my breathe away. To me, it was simply a testament to how revered he was.

The late Rev. Olufemi Olomodosi was the first Provost of The Cathedral of St. Peter at Ake, Abeokuta. The oldest church in Ake, the oldest church in Abeokuta, the oldest church in Western Nigeria, and – due to the proximity of the town to the Atlantic Ocean and the coming of the first missionaries – the oldest church in all of Nigeria. Built reportedly in 1898, which served as a rallying ground for a number of initial missionaries to Abeokuta many of who played other roles in the government of indirect rule between the Crown in England and the chiefs in Egbaland (source - Ktravula.com)

He was one of the most influential at his time counting Oba Lipede, Arch Bishop Adetiloye, the first Arch bishop of Anglican Church of Nigeria, the Reverend Josiah J. Ransome Kuti and the Oyewole Twins as his confidants. It was the Reverend Josiah J. Ransome Kuti that trained him, and believe me when I inform you that he went on to teach the King of Afro-beats himself, the late Fela Anikulapo – Kuti who was very fond of ‘Magister’ probably because he knew he was a rebel at heart, just like he was.

Below are some photographs which would take you back in time. Apologies for the not so clear ones.