Prof. Folayan Ojo’s story to the zenith of his career in the
academics is a tale of ironic twists and fortitude. Ojo, 71, shares some
highlights of his growing up and working years with Funke Olaode
A polygamous but close knit family…
I was born at Ijero-Ekiti, then in the Western Region and currently in
Ekiti State, on November 12, 1941. By the time I was born, my father was
a farmer and my mother was at a time a petty trade and later she became
a textile weaver (aso-oke). My father had 11 children from six wives by
the time he died in 1949 when I was barely eight. Ironically, my mother
was the youngest. The intrigues associated with polygamy were totally
absent in our case. Although I heard distressing tales from others in
such circumstance, we never had that experience. I believe it was the
way my father handled his family. We lived as a close knit family up
till now. Could you believe that we ate in the same pot which was common
to many families in those days in our area?
