The beginnings of First Baptist Church, Ileteju, Mopa – Igbagbo Egbe

‘Igbagbo Egbe’

Egbe in West Yagba local government area was the biggest market in Yagba in early 20^th century.  It was here that Rev Thomas Titcombe set out as the center of his missionary journey to Yagba land as well documented in his memoirs by Sophie De La Haye - Thread upon the lion.  As the largest market it drew visitors and business merchants from the length and breadth of Yagba and other neighbouring communities in Yoruba land. Rev Tommy Titcombe’s visit to Mopa was well documented in thread upon the lion:

It is very obvious that the people were still engaging in the practice of human sacrifice and other African traditional religious practices as at the time Rev. Titcombe visited Mopa.  Mopa business merchants and elites who visited Egbe saw what Rev Titcombe was doing  with regards to educating Egbe children by setting up a primary school (young children with same uniform marching to and back from school  must have captured their  minds, attention and imagination).

The beginnings of christianity in Mopa land-1^st ECWA church

The Mopa elites/business merchants instantly recognized that what Rev Titcombe was doing at Egbe was a ‘new civilization’ ( gbajumo tutun) and realized that they have to take action otherwise Egbe children will leave their own children behind in the sheme of future developments. This was the reason they came together to form 1^st ECWA church Ileteju-Mopa in response to Rev. Tommy Titcombe’s activities in spreading the gospel in Yagba land ( he recorded two memorable events during his visits to Mopa in his memoirs).

One of the leaders of this initiative was late Pa Simeon Arotiba the scion of the Odofin Oguntolu Omokore Aribo Telu royal clan. He was a business merchant, king wrestler and a traditional physician (pediatrician) who travelled widely to markets to sell his wares (woven clothes). He was reported to have travelled as far as Onitsha market in present day Anambra state on foot with able bodied men carrying his wares! They also bought whatever they needed from the same market and return with them. When I started primary school in 1967, I witnessed his dexterity at converting cotton wool into threads which he was still practicing under an orange tree in front of his house!

The Beginnings of 1^st Baptist church

However, not long after the beginning of 1^st ECWA church Ileteju- Mopa, there arose a contest of who will be the Baba Egbe (Baba Ijo) of the church. The contest led to a split of the church into two factions. Those who had two wives were excluded from being church leaders. In addition, they were barred from seating at the front row reserved for ‘Alagbas’ (church elders/leaders).

There was constant friction because of this discrimination against those who had two wives before the arrival of the missionaries and before conversion to Christianity. When the friction became unbearable Late Pa Simeon Arotiba and like minds decided to formally withdraw from the church as they could not come to terms with frequent quarrels in the house of God. They could not also come to terms with being told where to seat in a church they contributed morally and financially in building.

After withdrawing from the church they decided to hold their Sunday services in rotation in their  houses and collected offerings and tithes during such services. Pa Simeon Arotiba was the designated leader who kept the funds so collected because the others trusted him- they believed their funds are safe in his hands. He was also the eldest amongst the leaders.

After some time they heard about another church that do not discriminate against those who already have two wives - the Baptist church. Pa Simeon Arotiba led the team to Lagos on foot to request for the Baptist mission to come to Ileteju-Mopa. They also had the vision to request for a primary school at the same time. Both requests were granted. This was how Baptist Day School Ileteju- Mopa became the first learning institution in Mopa land and environs. The team that went to Lagos also came back with the big bell which is still jealously preserved in the church up till today.

The team that went to Lagos on foot with Pa Simeon Arotiba.

At inception of the primary school, the leaders of Baptist Church had to contribute their sons as pupils to start the school and they had to travel on foot to all parts of Yoruba land to get teachers. They also had to contribute to pay the teachers. Pa Simeon Arotiba was the one responsible for paying the teachers.

Names of prominent people who attended Baptist Day School:

Pa Robert Arotiba 1^st set

Chief SB Daniyan

Chief SB Awoniyi

Brig Gen. Teidi (from Ife Olukotun)…

Etc.

These are my recollections from the story told me by a former ESSMO student who lived in the 1^st Baba Egbe of 1^st ECWA church Ileteju- Mopa’s house during his school days. He was into printing business in Mushin, Lagos, heard I was working close by and decided to visit me in my office in Lagos. As we charted he told me the whole story. The 1^st Baba Ijo of 1^st ECWA church was the father of late Pa Samu Keke of blessed memory ( I knew late Pa Samu  KeKe when I started primary school in Mopa in 1967). The house of the 1^st ECWA Baba Ijo was at the time opposite the ECWA church by the old market which is now the police station area.

I attended ECWA primary school Enugbo, Ileteju Mopa from 1967-1972. It is customary that on graduation students were required to file up and announce their names on the pulpit at the Sunday service in ECWA church. In 1972 when I graduated I had to fulfill this obligation. However, I noticed that after announcing my name there was an uproar in the church!...It was only after this old student of ESSMO told me the story of the founding of 1^st ECWA and 1st Baptist churches that I realized the significance of the noise!...Late Pa Simeon Arotiba’s grandson attended and graduated from ECWA primary school!