The history and story of the Great Reformer Club, Osu, Osun State, Nigeria, a sociocultural association, is about a community development-minded and progressive school certificate and undergraduate Osu young characters. This year, 2024, is a momentous moment as we celebrate a massive milestone, reaching 40 years of personal reforming and corporate powering of Osu community. For the GRC, our charity began at home, and reforming was the first step toward self-reformation and empowerment. Self-reformation contributed to our enduring vitality for forty years, with all the members excelling not only as graduates, doctors, professors, executive chairpersons of companies, and military officers. The etymology of the word “Osu” ‘Su in in jo’ (we unite you), beyond the difference between ‘Apoles’ resonates with the formation and membership of the GRC that cut across ‘Ilu Osu,’ a confederate of separate autonomous homesteads. Social Reformers are individuals associated with reform movements who conduct empirical research into social problems and advocate for societal change based on democratic and humanitarian sentiments. The GRC at 40 is not just about looking at what we have achieved but also about appreciating the strength of Osu community.

The GRC, Osu at 40, calls for a double celebration of Osu’s advent of civilisation for a recognised central head from the confederate homestead’s (apoles) political and cultural head called ‘Looyin’ to the Lojaship title, a monarchical nomenclature given to an Owa Obokun Royal Prince as a head of smaller Ijesa community. Pa Oje Orisakoomilade Aderintola 1, was installed as the first Loja of the Osu community in 1934. Loja Orisakomilade Aderintola joined his ancestors in 1937 and was succeeded by a non-indigene of Osu but a prince of Owa, Loja James Abimbola Adekanye, in 1939. He reigned for thirty-two years before he joined his ancestors in 1971. He was interred on 22nd August 1971. The bid to appoint an Osu indigene, Chief Ezekiel Adebusuyi, in 1972 as the third Loja could not materialise. Chief Adebusuyi personally excused himself when the community invited him to become the Loja. Loja Omolade Adeyokunnu was subsequently appointed as the third Loja of Osu.

The history and emergence of the GRC are only complete with the father figure role of Loja Adeyokunnu, the third Loja of Osu, a prince of Owa Obokun. It is on note that Loja Omolade Adeyokunnu’s reign ‘witnessed a dramatic development in the socio-political and economic life of the community … many of the intractable problems that had hitherto been the hallmark of the community’s life were resolved during his tenure. An acceptable Loja’s court was completed during his reign. The issue of Oke-Omi/Oke-Osu was eradicated, and for once, the recognition of Osu as a monolithic cultural group became a reality.’ It was during Loja Adeyokunnu’s reign that ‘Osu became the Headquarters of the Atakumosa Local Government Area … Electricity was extended to Osu. The second Grammar School, Osu Community Grammar School, was founded, and the issue of a central market for Osu was considerably resolved.’

In my tribute to Loja Adeyokunnu five years ago titled, ‘Olosu of Osu, Loja Omolade Adeyokunnu, 30 years after: Simple but stylish,’ I explained that he was a lover and mentor of youth and very accessible. Among Osu youths close to Loja Adeyokunnu were Sir Folorunso Ezekiel Ogunjuyigbe and Mr Dire Goke Arimoro. When I returned to Osu 1981 as a primary school teacher, I enjoyed spending hours with Baba Loja around his throne/office. The palace was home to many youths because Loja’s family, especially the children, contextualised themselves and schooled within the community.

Loja Adeyokunnu was a significant inspiration in the emergence and formation of the Great Reformers Club, Osu. He administered relational leadership. It was always an excellent opportunity to have time with Loja Adeyokunnu anytime any of Osu’s youth members, friends, or colleagues to any of Loja’s children visited the palace, especially some people looking for flowers to pluck.

Loja Adeyokunnu was a catalyst leader with vested interest in Osu and the youths in various ways, such as mentoring and transforming a person’s vision into reality. Loja Adeyokunnu’s spirituality and leadership encouraged many of Osu’s sons and daughters to come home and be part of the development. It is not out of place to say that Loja Adeyokunnu was the midwife who transformed the emergence of the Great Reformers Club into reality. On this note, we remember one of Loja Adeyokunnu’s sons, Prince Adediran Adeyokunnu, who passed away a few years ago. We also remember another foundation member of GRC, Pastor Gbenga Olowookere. May their souls continue to rest in the bosom of the Almighty God while their memories live on in our hearts.

In November 1984, the newly elected Chairman of Atakumosa Local Government, Osu, Mr Isaac Folorunso Farodoye had a thanksgiving service at Methodist Church, Oke-Oja, Osu. After the service, a group of young band of undergraduate cut across Osu, visited Mr Farodoye at home to felicitate him and intimate him with some social and infrastructural problems in Osu. The delegates included Reformers Biodun Ogunbeku, Apostle Segun Otemuyiwa, Sogo Otemuyiwa, Ayodeji Okegbile, A Atobatele, James Farodoye, Supo Ogunjuyigbe, Ladi Ogunjuyigbe, Ayodele Fatundimu, Ajayi Adekanye, Gbenga Olowookere, and Gbadebo Ayeni.

From the visit to Mr Farodoye, the united vision and burden of working for change and improvement in the Osu community was formally birthed. After rigorous deliberations, the name The Great Reformers Club, Osu, was agreed upon. The name was motivated by the need to live rightly and a longing for an authentic, just, and moral community. From the beginning, members were loyal, dedicated, conscientious, helpful, well-balanced, and often good-humoured. We were efficient, organised, and trustworthy in completing tasks. The prayerful support of Baba Adura Elder Apostle/Prophet Moses Ige Otemuyiwa provided a spiritual foundation for the emergence of the GRC, Osu. We remember Baba Adura, and we continue to celebrate him for his support of GRC, Osu. It is important to mention some essential names, including our patrons and advisers who supported and shaped the ideology of GRC from inception: Chief R. O Fasetire, Chief Joshua Ogunleye, Mr Adedeji Adeyeye, Chief Mrs Falilat Ogunleye, Prophetess Iyadunni Famurewa (late), Chief Prof Olu Ayoola (late), Chief Mrs Mosunmola Taiwo Adebususyi (late), Mr Olujimi Ajidahun, Mr ‘Maayo’ Akilapa, Venerable Kunle Adeyeye, Chief Tayo Faluyi, Mr Idowu Afolabi (late), Mr Gbenga Adebusuyi, Mr Tunji Fatilewa (late), Mr Moses Ogunkolade (late), Mr Gbenga Akilapa, and Mr Gbenga Otemuyiwa. We also remember two of our departed members.

From the beginning, members of the GRC were determined to overcome personal and community adversity. They went after a good education, higher values, honesty, and love for one another. Evolved from its radical beginnings, the GRC is a prominent social club that is not associated with any political party. For 40 years, the GRC has been investing in the Osu community to create opportunity and development, impact lives, and improve futures.  As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, we are more determined than ever to bring together community partners and find innovative and effective solutions for some of our most challenging social problems.

We are proud to be a part of this community and the vibrant field of community philanthropy —40 years and growing! The Club was founded in the ferment of ideas, ideals and developmental activity. Reformer Dr Biodun Ogunbeku, the pioneer President of the Club, remains a natural connector, natural entrepreneur, action-oriented, risk-taker, and an idea personality. Dr Ogunbeku took ultimate responsibility as he carried the Reformes spirit into his leadership of Osu Community Development Council, which he led for six good years with visible evidence of achievements. With the support of his then Vice, Professor Supo Ogunjuyigbe, and different Club Committees, the aims of the Club for the year were essentially shaped. The local government was adequately engaged in development collaboration. Osu enjoyed an unequalled development during Mr Farodoye’s chairmanship. The Club started free summer Class lessons at Osu Community High School and Atakumosa High School, for the youth in Osu community under the principalship of Professor Segun Otemuyiwa. Dr Ogunbeku’s leadership of the Club initiated the publication of the Club’s magazine, The Pathfinder. The Club also organised excursions to places like Yinka Oba Foam, Ilesa, Ducana Steel, Ilesa, International Brewery, Ilesa, Ikogosi Water Spring, Erin-Ijesa, NTA Ibadan, Tribune Newspaper, and Radio OYO, Ibadan

In 1989, Dr Ogunbeku handed over to his Vice President, Professor Ogunjuyigbe, who continued the Club for Osu’s development vision. Prof Ogunjuyigbe’s leadership immediately initiated the construction of the Osu Post Office. We can all remember his numerous journeys to the Post Office Headquarters in Lagos and how he eventually received the letterboxes delivered to Lagos and transported them to Osu. We remain grateful to one of our brothers, Pa Ajilore, for his support.

Professor Ogunjuyigbe, handed over to Reformer Adenike Ogunbeku in 1991. As the first woman President, her tenure was very eventful. The first major landmark of Reformer Adenike’s tenure was the completion and dedication of the newly built Osu Post Office. The GRC experienced tremendous growth and development among the club members.

Reformer Adenike handed over to Reformer Ayodeji Okegbile in 1994. Reformer Okegbile continued the legacies laid by the past leaders toward membership renewal and empowering the community. Reformer Ladi Ogunjuyigbe took over from Reformer Okegbile in 1997. Reformer Ladi Ogunjuyigbe championed mentoring programmes for the youth in the community. Reformer Adebowale Omodunbi was elected as the President of GRC in 2012 and she gave the club oversight, especially when many members were trying to develop their careers and businesses.  Reformer Omodunbi handed over to Reformer Adebisi Adeniyi in 2023. Reformer Adeniyi, our Anniversary President, with the support of the members, is positioned to take the GRC to the next of powering the Osu community.

During the 40 years since our founding in 1984, as the GRC, we have grown and changed to become a leading community foundation in Osu. Our deep roots in the community give us a profound understanding of local issues, opportunities and resources.

During this milestone, we will stay on the front lines of change, working to leverage relationships and resources to achieve accurate results. At 40, it is time for the GRC to engage our collective assets for good and help give back in ways that matter to empower the Osu community. By divine providence and appreciation of God, our obligation to responsibly raise and manage philanthropic resources from institutional and individual donors to strengthen and empower the Osu community is a call to duty to serve humanity.

As we look to the future, at 40 and as we celebrate Osu Monarchical nomenclature at 90, we must be more determined than ever to bring together community partners and find innovative and effective solutions for some of our most challenging social problems. As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, we invite those with a vision and passion for community to join us and create something together.