The Ashiru Dynasty has
commemorated the 30th remembrance anniversary of its revered patriarch, Late Pa
Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru, with the unveiling of a magnificent sculpture in his
honour at the Ashiru Roundabout, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The historic event marked three decades since the passing of the illustrious businessman, educationist and art enthusiast, whose life and values continue to shape generations within and beyond the Ashiru family.
The celebration featured a memorial thanksgiving service and family harvest held at Pa Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru Anglican Church, G.R.A., Ijebu-Ode, followed by a grand reception at Adeola Oduntola Hall, Folagbade Street, where guests were lavishly entertained.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the Deputy Governor of
Ogun State described the monument as a fitting tribute to a man whose legacy of
excellence, creativity and enterprise has endured through time. She praised the
Ashiru family for preserving history and honouring their patriarch with such a
remarkable artistic piece.
According to her, Pa Adeyemi Ashiru was a man of great
exploits whose contributions to business, arts and community development remain
unforgettable. “As a young child, I read about his remarkable achievements and
was proud of the Ashiru family. History will always remember the strong
foundation and enduring legacies he left behind,” she said.
At the Thanksgiving service, the Head of the Ashiru Family and
Otunba of Ijebuland, Professor Oladapo Ashiru, expressed profound gratitude to
God and family members for sustaining the legacy of their father three decades
after his passing.
“I am happy that today, 30 years later, we are still
celebrating our father. He loved every one of his children and recognised the
uniqueness in each of us,” he said. Professor Ashiru described his late father
as a man deeply committed to education, discipline, excellence and integrity,
values that continue to define members of the Ashiru Dynasty worldwide.
Tracing the global spread and achievements of the family, he
noted that Ashiru descendants now reside across Nigeria, the United States, the
United Kingdom and Europe, excelling in various fields including politics,
academia, medicine, engineering, law and public administration.
In a nostalgic reflection, Professor Ashiru recalled his
father’s uncommon dedication to parenting and mentorship. He narrated how Pa
Ashiru would wait outside examination halls to encourage his children and
personally monitor their academic progress, even during his years in medical school.
“He taught me how to type on a typewriter, introduced me to
typesetting through his printing press, and that exposure laid the foundation
for my interest in journalism,” he added.
The sculptor of the statue, Mrs. Chinyere Ndubuisi, Dean of
the School of Art, Design and Printing at Yaba College of Technology, expressed
deep appreciation to the Ashiru family for entrusting her with the prestigious
project. She described the commission as a rare honour and noted that the
sculpture, completed in under six months, marked the first time she executed a
work of such magnitude independently.
She praised the family for supporting Nigerian art and
preserving cultural heritage through public monuments, describing the
experience as both professionally fulfilling and historically significant.
The unveiling of the sculpture stands as a powerful symbol of
remembrance, legacy and inspiration, immortalising Pa Simeon Adeyemi Ashiru as
a patriarch whose impact continues to resonate across generations.
By Ojo-Isaac
Olusola Michael.
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