A chapter of the globally acclaimed Young Men’s Christian Association at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ijebu-Imusin, Ogun State, is set to celebrate its 99th anniversary.
To mark the anniversary, special recognition will be given to many of its late members who distinguished themselves in various walks of life. Also to be celebrated are about six living members who are over 90 years old.
The YMCA was founded on June 6, 1844 in London, England, by George Williams—a 22-year-old assistant to a shopkeeper—for the purpose of Bible study and prayer among young men. From there, the organization grew and spread to several parts of the world with a broader goal to serve humanity.
In Nigeria, the first branch of the association was established in Kano in 1925. The YMCA at St. Mary’s Anglican Church which was established in 1927 is one of the oldest chapters of the association in the country.
The 99th anniversary
Chairman of the Planning Committee for the centenary celebration, Mr. Sola Onafalujo, told Church Times that the association has put together a memorial memoir which contains the biographies of the deceased members to be honoured. Posthumous awards will be presented at an event tagged Night of Titans on September 18 within the church premises at Ijebu-imusin
The celebration will also feature a number of other activities, including medical outreach and social support for the poor and vulnerable.
Onafalujo noted that the association has come a long way, recalling that it is one of the oldest chapters in the former Western Region.
“There is no association in the whole of the defunct Western Region that is as supportive of God’s work and humanity as the YMCA. So, it’s gratifying that this body is celebrating 99 years of existence and, by God’s grace, will soon be celebrating its centenary,” he said.
On the upcoming centenary celebration, he added: “We are planning big for it. We believe we need to carry on the baton, which is why the theme of the centenary celebration is Centenary Renewed. Our anchor scripture is Isaiah 40:31.”
The YMCA’s oldest member in the Ijebu church is 96-year-old Pa Oluwole Onakoya, who remains hale and hearty. He will be celebrated along with five other nonagenarian members during the event.
According to Onafalujo, the vision of the St. Mary’s Anglican Church YMCA is to replicate the feats of the Christ Church Cathedral chapter in Lagos. “Christ Church Cathedral has made great strides in terms of social interventions and economic impact; we are following that path.”
He added that the association is currently raising ₦1 billion to build a skills acquisition centre for young people.
Over the years, the Ijebu-Imusin YMCA has been heavily involved in community development. “We have helped several students with scholarships and assisted vulnerable adults in setting up businesses,” said Onafalujo, a 1979 graduate of the University of Ibadan who is involved in several ventures, including fashion and natural medicine.
The President of the Ijebu-Imusin chapter of the YMCA, Dr. Bankole Osisanya, who assumed leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, shared that his tenure has been full of many activities.
”When I came in as President, we started on a welfare note because that was when COVID-19 began. We distributed over 250 food packs to elderly people in Ijebu villages. After that, we began supporting local businesses and paying school fees for students.”
He noted that the chapter has produced prominent figures over the years: “They are too numerous to mention. Many of our members are respected lay leaders who have made a great impact across Nigeria.”
Among the association’s distinguished past members was the late General Babatunde Ogundeko, former Director of the Nigerian Army Education Corps and pioneer Commandant of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.
To secure long-term funding for its expanding social initiatives, the Ijebu YMCA acquired land to construct blocks of flats as income-generating property. “That is one of the ways we hope to sustain our welfare programmes and support indigent members of the community.”
About the YMCA President, St. Mary’s Anglican Church
Dr. Bankole Adegboyega Osisanya, 70, is the first son of the late Ven. N. E. A. Osisanya; a renowned educationist and celebrated former principal of Ijebu Ode Grammar School—and the late Mrs. C. O. Osisanya (from the Gbelegbuwa royal family of Ijebu Ode).
He attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School and Igbobi College, Lagos, before proceeding to the University of Ibadan, where he studied Physiology and graduated in 1976. He later attended the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, earning his medical degree in 1982.
He served as a Senior Medical Officer at State Hospital, Ijebu Ode; General Hospital, Ibiade, Ogun Waterside; and General Hospital, Ijebu Ife. In January 1990, he established his private medical practice, Ebun Ola Hospital, with locations in Ibiade and Ijebu-Imusin.
Honoured with the chieftaincy titles of Bamisegun of Ibiade and Otunba Sobaloju of Ijebu-Imusin, Dr. Osisanya is also active in politics. He contested for the chairmanship of Ijebu East Local Government in 2004 and a seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly in 2007.
He was appointed Supervisor for Health in Ijebu East Local Government in 2011 and a member of the Ogun State Hospitals Management Board in 2019. He currently serves as the Federal Constituency Supervisor for Ogun Waterside, Ijebu East, and Ijebu North LGAs and the medical consultant of Gateway Front Foundation
He is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Tolulope Osisanya, and they are blessed with children.