Late Hon. Chief Moses Aransiola Onle-Aran Olarewaju (1916-1968)
Late Chief M.A.O. Olarewaju, third of his mother’s children was born to Papa Onle-Aran Olarewaju and Madam Afolabi Dada Olarewaju of Amuletodo Compound, Igangu in Omu-Aran, Kwara State of Nigeria in 1916 (exact date unknown).
As there was no school in Omu-Aran nor its environs, he started his primary education rather late in September 1931, during the reign of Oba Momoloso, when the Native Authority School (Makaranta) was established. To quote Mr. J.D. Clarke, the first expatriate principal of the School in his book “Teacher and Friend” page 68 “Larewaju was a fine leader.” This was because of the fact that he distinguished himself academically and in other extra curriculum activities. He was appointed “alabule” known today as prefects at the inception and became the head boy in his last year in school in 1936.
He started his career in January, 1937 as a Native Authority Forest Guard and by 1940, he had risen to be the Deputy Forester.
He married his first wife Chief (Mrs.) Dorcas Adegbemile Olarewaju(The present “IYALODE OF OMU-ARAN) in December 1938 who had a male child in person of Chief Dapo Olarewaju in November 1939.
By 1943, he celeberated his promotion to the rank of Forest Ranger “Sarkin Daji” (head of the department of Forestry) by marring his second wife Madam Esther Tomori Olarewaju who also had a baby girl in person of Mrs. Elizabeth Omobola Oladipo Nee Olarewaju) in March 1944. This was later followed by the birth of Chief Victor Sunday Olarewaju who was also born in September 1947.
In 1949 he published “Orin Awon Eiye” (Songs of various Birds and Interpretation”) which enjoyed good sales both in Ilorin and the Western Nigeria. This literary work was followed by his launching of Olarewaju Almanac in 1951 and subsequent years. In August 1953 he attended a course organized for all Forestry Rangers throughout the Northern Region in Bida, and excelled all his colleagues.
In June 1954 he showed interest in party politics and was persuaded by Late Alhaji Saadu Alanamu to join the Northern Peoples Congress (N.P.C). On the ticket of the party, he defeated the Action Group candidate in person of Late Hon. J.G. Ekunrin (32-23 votes) and was elected into the Federal House of Representatives on 9th December 1954. In February 1955 he was made a front bencher following his ability to debate in the House.
In May 1957, following his progressive contribution within his party, he was selected to attend the Nigerian Constitutional Conference in London as an observer.He was given a tumultuous welcome on 12th July 1957 on his arrival from the conference, by his party in particular and by Omu-Aran people in general. In August 1958 he was again selected by his party to attend the resumed London constitutional conference, this time as a delegate. The delegation came back in October 1958.
On 12th December 1959 he won overwhelmingly another election into the Federal House of Representatives, beating the Late Hon. J.T. Obaoye of the Action Group Party and was appointed Minister of State for Police Affairs.
In 1962 he started a movement with some notable personalities like Late Hon. J.S. Olawoyin, J.G. Ekunrin, Prince Joseph Idowu Adunkoko (to mention a few) to agitate for the creation of Igbomina/Ekiti, Offa and Odo-Ogun separate Division from the old Ilorin Emirate. The movement was ruthlessly subverted by the Ilorin Native Authority but the objective was generously realized during the administration of Brigadier David Bamigboye (Rtd.). The rest is now history as Olarewaju’s building, after his death served as the first Secretariat of Igbomina/Ekiti Division between 1969-1973.
In August 1962, Late M.A.O. Olarewaju led the Nigerian delegation to Jamaica on the latter’s independence celebration. In August 1963 he made an official visit to some British Police establishments with a view to introducing Police Alsatian dogs to combat crimes in Nigeria. This proved to be a huge success.
In February 1965, he was elected into the House of Senates, following his defeat at the 1964 House of Representatives election. He was subsequently appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Health. He thus became the first elected legislator, the first Federal Minister and the first Senator in the history of Igbomina land. In April 1965, he was honoured by Olomu of Omu-Aran, Late Oba Suleiman Durotoye, who made him the Obala of Omu-Aran (a very prominent traditional title) in a very colourful and remarkable ceremony. In February 1966, following the collapse of the First Republic, he retired to Omu-Aran, his beloved home and his source of joy, where he engaged in some mechanized farming. Hunting was also his hobby.
He served as the chairman of the Building Committee of St. Paul’s Anglican Church Omu-Aran between 1966 and September 1968 when he died, survived by five wives and nineteen children among whom are Jonathan ‘Wole Olarewaju, Rev. John ‘Femi Olarewaju and Mrs. Kemi Lawal. His personal political ideology was welfarism and with gratitude to God, this ideology and life-style is very visible in both his immediate and extended family which he left behind.