Family Announces 20yrs Remembrance Anniversary Of Late Arch. Abeeb Sodiya, To Hold 10th And 11th July

The family of Late Architect Abeeb Bolanle Sodiya will meet to celebrate the late icon 20yrs remembrance anniversary on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th of July 2024.

He married four wives and had many children. Sodiya’s family have grown in local politics, private businesses, government job and town planning work ever since his demise and spread across various part of the States in Nigeria representing the image of the family very well.

“Our father, Abeeblai Dosumu Bolanle Sodiya, was born in Makun Sagamu on 19th September, 1935, to the family of Alhaji Isamael Olumeru Sodiya and Madam Irebowale Sodiya later (Mrs Adesina).”

His father was the first son of Balogun Olumeru of Makun, who gave victory to Makun people over Egba/Dahomey warriors and led Makun people to the present-day Makun Kingdom. While the wife of Olumeru was from Agbole Balogun, Ita-Agemo in Igbehin Abeokuta.

“Our family house shares boundaries with iledi-Osugbo ilu Makun, the Ewusi Palace, and Agbala Agemo. Because he was the head of all warriors, he needed to be close to the palace, and for strategic reasons, his house boarders the Town Hall, and we also hosted the Olorisha ilu Makun.”

Pa Abeeb Sodiya, a.k.a Abeeb Townplanning’ attended Ansar-ud-deen Primary school, Makun Sagamu. He started school at an advanced age. According to accounts from his classmates, like the Ganiyu Eleko, late pharmacist Yinka Lawal-Solarin (MD Literamed Publications) and Barrister Sokoya, former Ogun State Commissioner for Justice, our father was commonly nicknamed ‘Sodiya Farmer. According to their accounts, anytime they were asked to cut grass, our father would finish his own and even help others, but not for free.

After primary school, he began his apprenticeship in architectural drawing and draftmanship in Ibadan.

He later enrolled at the Oriwu College, Ikorodu. He paid his way through school with money he realized from the design and supervision of various buildings in Sagamu and other parts of Remoland, and not forgetting his aaro farming and agbaro. He was doing that both at Idarika-Makun and Oleyo-Ijagba.

Even though he was born in Makun, his mother later remarried to Pa Adesina from Olooro Decendant of Mologu in Ijagba, father of our big uncle Baale Olufumbi Adesina, Baale Mologu.

His mother remarried when he was still very young, she moved with her to Ijagba to live with late Madam Jemima (a.k.a. Iya Arodu) and his grandma, aka Iya Isale, Aya Da’Mola in his maternal uncle’s house, Agbadaole, in Ijagba, where he grew up till he became a man of his own, got married before he moved to his own house at No.1 Sodiya Street, off Surulere Street, in 1972.

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Baba Sodiya life history would not be complete without the mention of High Chief Emmanuel Aseyiga Kalejaiye (the immediate past Balogun of Ijagba and Lemo of Makun). Some of his close associates like late Pa Kayode Soyombo Agunloye (a.k.a. Maagbeye), Ganiyu Ayeni from Ikorodu, N. S. Odofin, Baba Adesanya (Kajiko) and Chief Tunji Ojoye (still alive).

After secondary school, he got employed by the government of Western Region in the Physical Planning Department.

However, after the creation of Ogun State, his service was automatically transferred accordingly.

“I am sure he did many good things in handling many issues. He was not only a professional draughtman, he was a community leader and a very straightforward man. No wonder he used to tell us ‘his children’, -mention my name anywhere. And we can attest to that even in overseas countries.”

He was a different person to different people, whilst some would tell you, “if not for him, I would not be a landlord,” another would say, “he got me my job”, “he saved my job,” “he introduced me to someone who helped my business” etc.

He was a blessed man, as you can see today, blessed with many children from his four wives.

1. Deaconess Victoria Iyabode Sodiya, Jp (Bode Photo) Ye’Nuyi
2. Deacons Iyabode Sodiya (Draughtlady) Ye Kudi
3. Madam Mesitura Sodiya, iya oniresi Ye’Adija
4. Alhaja Ariyike Sodiya (Iya onipako) the Admiral Musulumi of Sagamu Central Mosque and Iya Suna of Ijagba Muslim Community.

Till he died, he was the Chairman Building Committee in Anser-ud-Deen Muslim Community, Treasurer, Sagamu Micro-Finance Bank, adviser to many organizations on building projects and private businesses.

We appreciate those who continue to remind us of his kindness to them which call for a day like this.

Our father died in his sleep on a Saturday on 10th July 2004 at the age of 69. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace.

Late Architect Abeeb Bolanle Sodiya was a philanthropist and a leader with a very good heart, he contributed immensely to the life and growth of many individuals, which they are still enjoying from his good gestures till date.

The entire Late Architect Abeeb Bolanle Sodiya family and the community in total will gather to celebrate his good deeds and legacy on date stated above.

PROGRAMME

1. Call for prayers by Chief Imam (Auser-a-deen)

2. Brief story on the life and time of Baba Sodiya

3. Testimonies on Baba Sodiya

4. Oriki

5. Scholarship for students

6. Vote of thanks

7. Music

8. Entertainment of guests.

Authored by: Otunba Omoniyi Kamorudeen Adebola Sodiya, the Otunba Bobakunle of Ibiade Ijebu Waterside.

24/6/2024.