Family Remembers Laboye Laleye, Says He’s Worthy

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Sixty years after his passage into glory, the family of Laboye Laleye has continued to send him good and loving thoughts even as they aver that he was worthy patriah, brother, father, grandfather, and a oyal servant in the vineyard  of the Lord.

Born in 1880 at Ebute Metta Lagos to the lineage of Ajao Laleye, known for its vast human skills,  Olaboye Laleye “combined all the attributes of his forebears and was renowned for his ‘Wisdom of the Learned, Justice of the Great, Prayers of the Good and Valor of the Brave”, according to family source.

Held in high esteem, family refers to him as Worthy Brother Olaboye Laleye, saying he served as the 13th President of the General Council of the United Native African (UNA) Church, now known as First African Church Mission.

According to the source, Olaboye’s father was Albert Dada Laleye, was a dedicated and skillful administrator, who was in the pioneering team of the African Church movement, of which he was also a past President.

The source continues: “Worthy Brother Olaboye Laleye combined all the attributes of his forebears and was renowned for his ‘Wisdom of the Learned, Justice of the Great, Prayers of the Good and Valor of the Brave. The First African Church Mission described him as ‘Eloquent, Forceful and Truthful’, with ‘a rare talent of managing people’. He laid the foundation stone of the Christ Church, Oyingbo Ebute Metta, Lagos Parish of the First African Church Mission (1951) and was before then, the Elder and Founder of the Christ Church Kano, Northern Nigeria (1919).

“Professionally, he was a Licenced Auctioneer and played prominent roles in new town developments and modernisation of commercial transactions in Lagos State. He was an adviser to the Oloto Royal Family, was honoured with a Street Name in New Lagos (Surulere), pioneered the modernisation of Onike, Iwaya in Yaba Local Government of Lagos State, and Abule Wey in lju Isaga, Ifako-ljaiye Local Government, also in Lagos.

“Above all, Worthy Brother Olaboye Laleye was a Family man. He dedicated time, love and the fruits of his labour to his family of four daughters and three sons and imbibed them with the Love of God and Humanity.”

Worthy Brother Laboye Laleye died on September 28th, 1964 at age 76 and is survived by loving children and family members, wishing him to continue to exult in heavenly bliss.