By Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo
The family of the late Alhaji Chief Abdullateef Adegboyega Ejalonibu, revered Asiwaju of Mamu, has once again demonstrated its enduring commitment to community service with the annual distribution of food items and cash to widows, the indigent, and other vulnerable residents of Mamu, an autonomous and ancient town in Ijebu land.
The outreach, held in remembrance of their late father, forms part of a long-standing family tradition initiated during his lifetime—an annual gathering dedicated to giving back to the people he served passionately until his death.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Alhaja Salimot Ahmed (née Ejalonibu) described the initiative as a deliberate effort to preserve the values and humanitarian legacy of their late patriarch, whom she portrayed as an undisputed community leader, intellectual, and man of uncommon conviction.
“Our father believed strongly in lifting others and standing by his people,” she said. “This annual outreach reflects the principles he lived by—compassion, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to the progress and well-being of Mamu.”
She added that the family remains resolute in sustaining the tradition, noting that true honour to his memory lies not merely in words, but in actions that continue to impact lives positively.
Also speaking, Alhaji Chief Nasiru Adeyemi Ejalonibu, the current Asiwaju of Mamu, emphasised that the late Chief Ejalonibu’s passion extended beyond charity to fostering collective prosperity within the community.
“Our late patriarch believed that leadership must translate into tangible benefits for the people,” he said. “His vision was about supporting livelihoods, strengthening unity, and promoting communal stability. This annual distribution is our way of keeping that vision alive.”
Similarly, Dr Murtala Ejalonibu, Special Assistant to the Governor (Office of the Secretary to the State Government) and a son of the late Asiwaju, described the outreach as a major community event that has consistently brought relief and encouragement to many households in Mamu.
“This initiative has become a symbol of hope for many families,” he noted. “It underscores the timeless importance of community spirit and the enduring power of charitable giving.”
The late Alhaji Chief Abdullateef Adegboyega Ejalonibu was widely regarded as an Ijebu man to the core. He traced his lineage to Itantebo in Ijebu-Ode and upheld the long tradition of leadership associated with his forebears—prominent community figures in Mamu and steadfast defenders of Ijebu land.
He was also a first cousin to the Chief Imam of Molipa, Imam Alhaji AbdulGaniy Ejalonibu, the current Lisanul Ulama of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, further reflecting the family’s deep-rooted heritage of leadership, faith, and service.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Iyabo Sotayo expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ejalonibu family, noting that the late Asiwaju’s generosity and influence continue to resonate strongly within the community.
“The kindness of the Asiwaju and his family has touched many lives,” she said. “We pray for the continued prosperity of the Ejalonibu family and encourage others to emulate their spirit of compassion and service.”
As the timeless saying goes, “A life is not truly measured by what it gathers, but by what it gives.” By sustaining this noble tradition, the Ejalonibu family not only honours the memory of the late Asiwaju but also reinforces the culture of responsibility, unity, and compassion that has long defined Mamu as an ancient and autonomous Ijebu town.
