As a youth who would not put all his eggs in one basket, Pa Saliu Alli went to Ibadan for palm wine tapping business when he as well worked at Ibadan Railway Station as a Track Maintenance Officer for a period of time.
By Oladele Samuel
Born on February 18, 1936 in Eso, Ikaram Akoko, Pa Samuel Saliu Alli came into the royal family of Olona-Ola, Oba Osugu.
The handsome and adorable son of Alli was a grandson of Oba Oloniju (a great king and warlord in Akoko). Pa Samuel’s mother was Adisat, a daughter of Olupinla from Atiba. Little wonder, he exhibited bravery, doggedness and gallantry in wrestling sport as cat whose back never touched the ground.
Although he was naturally intelligent and wise, his father denied him education in favour of his brother. He was unruffled in his pursuit for prominence which was later in life achieved through a sheer dint of hardwork. He was trained in furniture under a strict and disciplinarian Igbo master who did not spare a hammer on his head and planks on his body as punitive actions on training. This alluded the fact that he learnt to be highly professional, passionately industrious and caring as husband and father.
His innate mental capabilities made him become prominent in carpentry into which furniture later metamorphosed. He was everybody’s delight in carpentry work in Ikaram and its environs even at his old age.
He married his first wife Mrs Taiwo, a daughter of Baba Seriki from the royal family of Arohunmolase at Iyotu Ikaram. The marriage was blessed with Ms Iyabo Iris Samuel, Oluwafunmilayo (late), Mrs Oluwatoyin Oladiti Oluwasegun (late) and Mrs Oluwakemi Abdulroheem.
and his family.
As a youth who would not put all his eggs in one basket, he went to Ibadan for palm wine tapping business when he as well worked at Ibadan Railway Station as a Track Maintenance Officer for a period of time.
The family panegyric played out because he was well admired by both sexes in Ibadan. He had a conjugal bliss with an Ibadan royal blood jewel, Mrs Ramota Omowumi, a daughter of Ayinde of the royal family of Lamo. The blessedness of the marriage gave life to Pastor Oladele Samuel, Oluwafemi, Abayomi (both late), Oluwagbenga, Mrs Bosede Lawal (late) and Olatunbosun.
On his return to Ikaram, he installed a food processing machine (Lister grinder) that served the community for some decades. He later married late Mrs Jolaibi from the family of Abila in Iyani Akoko. Mrs Jolaibi gave birth to Mr Abiola Samuel, Pastor Ayodeji Samuel, Mrs Iyabo Omojowo and Ojo Samuel.
His last wife, Deaconess Elizabeth Funke Samuel from Atiba was an indigene of Ogbagi Akoko. The marriage was blessed with Mrs Olabisi Elegbeleye, Folorunsho Samuel and Oladapo Samuel.
Pa Samuel Saliu Alli, aka S S and Carpenter Elero was renowned for his jolly social relations, skillfulness in carpentry and kindheartedness. These virtues that he showed every Tom, Dick and Harry pointed to his uniqueness. During one of his assistance to the renovation of a primary school building, he fell down from the roof. It was thought that he had ended his life, but God brought him back to life to complete his journey in life now fulfilled.
Pa Samuel was a devout Anglican. He was a devoted member of Egbe Irawo Owuro of St John’s Anglican Church, Ayeteju Ikaram. It is worthy of mention that he was a harvest chairman in 1972 and won. Even at his old age in 2020, he came out as a harvest chairman and won again. He never missed morning and evening prayer on his bed throughout his lifetime. He strongly and deeply had faith in God and in the power of prayer in the name of Jesus.
Carpenter Elero or SS as he was fondly called had respect for both sexes. He would never discriminate on the ground of sex. Both male and female are his favourites, hence at the news of a birth, Pa Samuel would rejoice without asking for the sex of the baby. Important about his personality was his unequaled role as an iroko tree in Eso clan being a father to all. The record showed that he actively participated in developmental activities in Ikaram and actively expressed his political responsibility.
Pa Samuel Saliu Alli won the heart of all and sundry for his fatherly tenderness, fairness, honesty, decency, friendly care attitude and professionalism
He was blessed with children, grand children, and great grand children.
Goodnight Baba! You SHALL wake up with us in the morning at The Lord’s return for the paradisiacal reign with Him.