Olubadan represented as Prince Timothy Beyioku is laid to rest in Ogbomoso

Olubadan represented as Prince Timothy Beyioku is laid to rest in Ogbomoso

Abdulrasak BELLO & Niyi AJALA

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Prince Timothy Oyedele Beyioku, who died on July 11, 2026, has been buried amid tributes from family members, friends, community leaders and dignitaries from within and outside Masifa.

Among the dignitaries was a delegation by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja. The deceased was a political associate of the Oba.

The burial service, held Saturday, September 12, at Masifa Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, brought together sympathisers and well-wishers who gathered to honour the deceased and celebrate his life and contributions to the community and humanity generally.

In his biography read during the service, the late Beyioku was described as a disciplinarian, education enthusiast and accommodating personality who devoted a significant part of his life to teaching and impacting others.

He was particularly remembered for his belief that education was more than a profession, “but a sacred responsibility to bring light and positively transform lives.”

Members of the Masifa Progressive Union also paid tribute to the deceased, describing his life “as impactful and worthy of celebration.”

The deceased’s siblings, recalled his love, care and affection towards them, describing him as a man who combined love with discipline in raising his children.

They noted that discipline was one of the values he held in high esteem and consistently demonstrated throughout his life.

The representative of the Olubadan of Ibadanland conveyed the monarch’s greetings to the family and prayed for the bereaved. He also presented a tribute on behalf of the Olubadan in honour of the deceased.

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Minister preaches on life after death

In a sermon titled, “Paradise or hell after death,” based on Matthew 7:13–14, the minister-in-charge of Masifa Baptist Church, Rev’d. Dr. I. A. Adetola, urged the congregation to reflect on the certainty of death and the reality of life after death.

Rev’d. Dr. Adetola said judgement after death was inevitable, adding that every individual would ultimately face the consequences of his or her earthly choices.

According to him, Jesus Christ’s teaching about the two ways represents the two possible destinations after death – life and destruction. He explained that while the broad way was attractive and followed by many, the narrow way, which leads to life, was followed by only a few.

The cleric stressed that every opportunity for repentance and amendment existed only while a person was alive, warning that death would bring an end to such opportunities.

He challenged Christians to go beyond prayers and religious activities by ensuring that their lives reflected godly character.

The cleric observed that many people profess faith and engage in prayers while still embracing ungodly lifestyles, stressing the need for genuine transformation of the heart.

He therefore urged the congregation to reject worldly passions, sinful practices and ungodliness and instead embrace righteousness and godly living in preparation for eternity.

Guests entertained exquisitely

Immediately after the church service, guests proceeded to the reception venue.

The occasion provided family members, friends and well-wishers an opportunity to share memories, interact and celebrate the life and legacy of Prince Timothy Oyedele Beyioku.

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Biography Prince Timothy Oyedele Beyioku JP: ‘A life of service, honour, wisdom and lasting legacy’ (as given by the family)

Prince Oyedele Timothy Beyioku, JP, was born on 23rd March 1938 at Keffi, in present-day Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Though born away from his ancestral home, he remained deeply rooted in his Ogbomoso heritage, with his paternal lineage traced to lle Oyalu, Masifa, Ogbomoso, and his maternal lineage to Ile Adesiyan, Isale Afon, Ogbomoso.

He came into the world at a time when life demanded courage, discipline and perseverance. Through the years, he grew into a man whose life became a testimony to the virtues of hard work, education, integrity, selflessness, leadership, service to humanity and devotion to family.

Prince Timothy, as he was fondly called, lived a long and purposeful life. For almost nine decades, he walked among us as a teacher, educationist, administrator, community leader, peacemaker, Justice of the Peace, husband, father, grandfather and respected elder.

His was a life that touched many lives.

A life built on education

Prince Timothy understood early in life that education was a powerful instrument for transformation. His own educational journey was therefore one of continuous learning, determination and excellence. He began his primary education at Keffi Baptist Primary Day School, Keffi, from January 1945 to December 1951. He subsequently continued at Native Authority Primary Day School, Masifa, Ogbomoso, from January 1952 to December 1954.

He proceeded to Ogbomoso Grammar School, Ogbomoso, where he received his secondary education from January 1955 to December 1960.

He later attended Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, from January 1962 to December 1963, where he obtained his Higher School Certificate (HSC).

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His quest for knowledge took him further to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he studied from October 1964 to June 1967 and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree.

Not content to rest on his achievements, he further attended the University of Ibadan from 1971 to June 1972, obtaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).

His educational journey reflected one of the enduring principles by which he lived: that learning never ends and that knowledge must ultimately be used in the service of others.

A life devoted to teaching and mentoring

For the greater part of his working life, Prince Timothy Beyioku devoted himself to the noble profession c teaching. To him, teaching was more than a profession; it was a calling and a sacred responsibility to shape lives and build the future.

His distinguished teaching and administrative career included: Ogbomoso Baptist Secondary Modern School-Class Teacher 1 January 1961-31 December 1961; Ogbomoso Grammar School-Class Teacher 1 January 1964-30 September 1964; Ogbomoso Grammar School-Class Teacher 12 June 1967-31 August 1972; Ejigbo Baptist High School-Class Teacher 1 September 1972-31 August 1975; Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro-Vice Principal 1 September 1975-31 August 1976; Baptist High School, Iree-Vice Principal 1 September 1976-31 August 1977; Oke-lla Grammar School, Oke-lla Orangun-Pioneer/Foundation Principal 1 September 1977-31 August 1980; Ogbomoso Baptist High School-Principal 1 September 1980-31 July 1984; Ajaawa Baptist Grammar School-Principal 1 August 1984-31 July; Ogbomoso Grammar School, Ogbomoso-Principal 1 August 1987-31 December 1995;

Laying the foundation at Oke-Ila Grammar School

A particularly remarkable chapter in Prince Timothy Beyioku’s educational career was his appointment as the Pioneer/Foundation Principal of Oke-Ila Grammar School, Oke-lla Orangun. From 1 September 1977 to 31 August 1980, he was entrusted with the responsibility of providing the pioneering leadership of the newly established institution.

As the Foundation Principal, he was not merely appointed to lead an existing school; he was entrusted with the task of helping to build the school from its foundation. He helped establish the standards, discipline, values and academic culture upon which the institution would continue to develop.

This pioneering responsibility was a testament to the confidence reposed in his competence, experience, integrity and leadership ability as an educationist.

The school, its students, teachers and the generations that followed became part of the enduring legacy of his years of service.

His contribution to Oke-lla Grammar School therefore remains a significant part of the history of the institution and a proud chapter in his distinguished career as an educationist.

After his pioneering tenure at Oke-Illa Grammar School, he continued his service as Principal of Ogbomoso Baptist High School and subsequently Ogbomoso Grammar School, where he served until his retirement from the teaching service in December 1995.

After decades of dedicated service to education, he retired from the teaching service, but he never retired from service to humanity.

A life of community service and leadership

Retirement did not mark the end of Prince Timothy Beyioku’s service to humanity. Rather, it afforded him greater opportunities to devote himself to community development, leadership, peace-building and the welfare of his people.

Ogbomoso Parapo Federal Council

From 26th December 1989 to 26th December 1994, Prince Timothy served as the Treasurer of the Ogbomoso Parapo Federal Council.

In that capacity, he brought to bear his well-known qualities of honesty, prudence, accountability, wisdom and dedication.

His service to the Council reflected his deep love for Ogbomoso and his desire to see her sons and daughters united in the pursuit of progress and development.

Masifa Progressive Union

Prince Timothy also served as President of the Masifa Progressive Union, Masifa, Ogbomoso, from 1993 to 2016.

For more than two decades, he provided purposeful and selfless leadership to his community.

His tenure was characterised by wisdom, commitment, sacrifice, unity and concern for the welfare and development of Masifa and its people.

He was a leader who understood that leadership was not about personal glory, but about service, responsibility and sacrifice for the common good.

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A pioneer Justice of the Peace

Among his many accomplishments was his distinguished service as a Justice of the Peace (JP).

Prince Timothy was the Pioneer/Foundation Zonal Chairman of the Justices of the Peace, Ogbomoso Zone, from the inception of the Ogbomoso Zonal structure.

His appointment reflected the confidence reposed in his integrity, As the pioneer chairman, he played a foundational role in establishing and providing leadership for the wisdom, fairness, maturity and commitment to peace and justice.

Through his service as a Justice of the Peace, he contributed to the promotion of peace, reconciliation, justice, mutual understanding and harmonious relationships within the community.

His role as a peacemaker was not simply an office he occupied; it was a reflection of the man he was.

He believed in peace. He valued truth. He respected justice. He encouraged reconciliation.

And he understood that a peaceful society is built by people who are willing to listen, forgive, counsel and unite.

The father, the patriarch, the family man

Beyond the titles, positions and achievements was a man whose greatest treasure was his family.

To his children, he was Father.

To his grandchildren, he was Grandfather and a source of wisdom.

To the wider family, he was the patriarch, counsellor and dependable elder.

He was a disciplinarian, but his discipline was rooted in love. He was firm, yet caring. He believed in good character, hard work, education, responsibility and respect for others.

He desired the best for his children and encouraged them to pursue excellence while remaining humble and responsible.

His words, counsel and example became lessons that extended beyond the classroom and into the lives of those he raised.

Many of the things he taught were not written in books.

They were taught through his character.

They were taught through his sacrifices.

They were taught through his discipline.

They were taught through his faith and service.

And they were taught through the life he lived.

A legacy that will endure

Looking back on the life of Prince Oyedele Timothy Beyioku, JP, one cannot but be grateful to God for the privilege of having shared this earthly journey with such a remarkable man.

He was an educator who shaped minds.

He was a Foundation Principal who helped build an institution.

He was a mentor who inspired lives.

He was a community leader who served his people.

He was a Justice of the Peace who promoted harmony and reconciliation.

He was a father who provided guidance and direction.

He was a grandfather whose presence brought wisdom and warmth.

He was an elder whose counsel was valued.

And he was a man whose life was marked by service rather than self, responsibility rather than privilege, and legacy rather than applause.

His footprints are in the lives of the students he taught.

His fingerprints are in the institutions he helped build His wisdom lives on in those he counselied

His values live on in his children and grandchildren.

And his memories will remain forever cherished by all who knew and loved him.

Prince Timothy Beyioku lived a purposeful and impactful life, leaving behind a rich legacy of service to Go education, family and community.

A final farewell

Prince Timothy Beyioku lived a long and meaningful life.

He came, he served, he taught, he led, he mentored, he loved, and he left an enduring legacy Though we mourn his departure, we do not mourn as those without hope. We give thanks to Almighty Ge

The pain of his absence is real.

For the gift of his life and for the many years He granted him among us.

The silence he has left behind is deep.

But the memories he created will continue to speak

The lessons he taught will continue to guide.

The people he influenced will continue to carry his legacy forward.

And the values he cherished will continue to live from one generation to another. As we bid farewell to our beloved father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, community leader and patriarch

We are comforted by the knowledge that a life lived in service to God and humanity is never truly lost.

His earthly journey has ended, but his legacy continues.