The death of Prince Solomon Olusegun Mowasola Olagbegi, grandson of the well-known Olagbegi Attaneye 1 the Olowo of Owo who reigned between 1913 and 1938 has been announced.
Solomon Olagbegi was born October 2, 1936, to the late Prince Iyiolase Olagbegi and Mrs Ajibike Iyiolase-Olagbegi in Benin City.
According to family sources, he died after a brief illness in his hometown on February 1. He was 87. He left behind a large family,
But he was not as prolific as Olateru Olagbegi I, one of the sons of Olagbegi Atanneye, who had 300 wives.
Managed a large house
In his case, Solomon Olagbegi who was the co-founder of the Holy Church of Cherubim and Seraphim, Ilorin was also a polygamist. He left behind 16 children, 40 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.
His eldest child and family spokesman, Dr Layi Olagbegi said in a statement made available to Church Times that his father was dutiful,
“He cherished education and made sure we were all educated. He was a great Historian as he knew political stories a lot. He was a good Christian and would always rely on God for anything. However, he was able to manage his large house I mean he was a polygamist and was very successful in it for he made sure we lived in harmony”
Layi Olagbegi who practices medicine in the US said further, ” I will miss him for we spoke almost every day. He was a wiseacre, he always advised me on many things. I know the Owo community at large will surely miss him, especially among the church members, politicians, and Chiefs ”
Credentials
The late Olagbegi has a robust credential. He was well educated. He attended Government Primary School, Owo from 1945 to 1952 and then proceeded to Imade College, Owo from 1953 to 1957 where he was the Senior Prefect.
He had a stint at the Federal Emergency Science School in Lagos and later attended the University of Ibadan, Ibadan from 1963 to 1970.
He also studied at Paddington College, London 1973 to 1974 and at Bristol Polytechnic, Bristol, United Kingdom, from 1985 to 1986.
Solomon Olagbegi was a teacher at Premier Grammar School, Abeokuta, and Egbado College, Ilaro from 1959 to 1968 and also a Laboratory Technologist at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan from 1972 to 1976.
He worked at the Chemistry Department, University of Ilorin, Ilorin as an Academic Chief Technologist from 1976 until he retired from public service on February 1, 1997, for mandatory age-related reasons.
He was Chairman, of the Senior Staff Association of Universities (Ilorin Branch)1979-1983, Sectorial Chairman of All Nigeria Universities of SSAUTHRIAI (1984-1986), and also National President, of the Association of University Technologists of Nigeria (ASUTON) (1992-1993)
His church activity
Apart from co-founding a Cherebim and Seraphim Church, he was Chairman, of the Owo circuit of the Movement Churches, and a Member, of the Owo Community Advisory and Economic Development Committee (2010 to 2012).
He was involved as Chairman, Member, Executive Committee, and Member of the Board of Directors, of many schools during his lifetime. He was Live, Patron, The Boys Brigade, Nigeria, Owo Battalion, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Chapter.
A widely traveled man, he was also actively involved in politics. He was PDP Chairman, of Igboroko ward, Owo (2015-2017)
Burial ceremony
Dr. Layi Olagbegi said burial ceremonies for his father would start May 22 at the deceased’s residence at 3, Obasekaiye St, Ehin-Ogbe Quarters, Owo, Ondo State with traditional rites.
On Thursday, May 23 the body would be laid in state at 4 pm at the Olateru -Olagbegi Event Center, Fajuyi, Road, Owo.
There will be a funeral service on Friday 24, at 10 am at Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church,1, Farm Centre, Ehin- Ogbe Quarters Off Idasen Road, Owo. Interment follows immediately.
There will be Thanksgiving immediately after service while reception takes place at Best Western Plus Mydas Hotel, Klm 1, Owo/ Ikare Road.
On Saturday 25 May there will be a Mowasola Olagbegi Memorial Football match ( Maiden Edition) at Ipm at Owo township Stadium to cap up the burial ceremonies.