High Chief Joshua Alabi Osokiya: A Synopsis of His Biography
(1) High Chief Joshua Alabi Osokiya was born in Isuada, Owo, Ondo State in 1900 to the family of High Chief Osokiya Adegbule (Osokiya of
Isuadaland). He was the only male child of his parents and left home at the age of 12 to seek better opportunities.
(2) High Chief Joshua Alabi Osokiya resided in Warri and Sapele for many
years where he received basic Western education. He worked for a
European construction company involved in building the Warri Port and
Dockyard. During his time with the company, he acquired skills in
building construction through hard work and native intelligence. He
quickly rose to the position of foreman, specializing in concrete and
masonry work, and later became the general foreman for the company in
Warri, Sapele, and various other sites in present-day Delta State.
(3) In 1924, his close friend and in-law, Chief Olawoye, came to Warri for
an appointment with the Europeans. During this visit, he informed Baba
about events at home, including his recent marriage to Baba’s sister,
Mama Daboiku. Encouraged by his friend, Baba made frequent visits to
Owo where he and other Owo elites made significant contributions to
the town’s development.
(4) In 1941, High Chief Joshua Alabi Osokiya and his wife, Selina, moved to
Ibadan. During the same period, his friend, Chief Olawoye, was summoned
to Owo for the installation of their friend, Sir Olaleru Olagbegi, as
the Olowo of Owo. Chief Olawoye later became the Chief Clerk to the
new Olowo.
(5) While in Ibadan, Baba established a Building and Civil Engineering
Company called J A OSOKIYA AND SONS, with office at No NW4/35 Ekotedo, Iya Olobe, Ibadan. Leveraging the extensive experience
he had gained in the construction industry, the company quickly gained
recognition as one of the best in town. During this period, Baba married
four additional wives, some of whom lived in Ibadan while the others
resided in Owo.
(6) With the advent of the Western Nigeria Regional Government in 1950/51,
the need arose to build infrastructure for the new regional
government, including the Agodi Secretariat. J A Osokiya & Sons and
Oni & Sons (from Oke Imesi) were contracted as the Building and Civil
Engineering contractors responsible for constructing the initial
buildings in the Agodi Secretariat.
(7) Recognizing the opportunities available, High Chief Alabi Osokiya
returned to Owo and Isuada to invite young individuals to join him in
Ibadan for employment opportunities. His residence and office became a
hub for all indigenes of the then Owo Division, which included the
present Ondo North Senatorial district (Owo, Ose, and Akoko areas).
(8) In the late forties, before the formal launch of the Action Group as a
political party, the Olowo of Owo, Sir Olateru Olagbegi II,
anticipating his role in the emerging political landscape, along with
other Owo elites, encouraged High Chief Alabi Osokiya to build his
house in Owo, instead of Ibadan. He was allocated a piece of land at No
6, Igboroko Nla Street, Owo, situated close to the palace.
(9) Baba also served as a major consultant to the Olowo on development matters
during this period.
(10) High Chief J. Alabi Osokiya mobilized resources from Ibadan and built a
magnificent house in Owo between 1949 and 1950. This house, located at
No 6, Igboroko Nla Street, was the first two-story building of Brazilian architecture in the entire Owo Division. It became a
prominent landmark in the town due to its unique architecture,
stained-glass windows with hoods, front row columns, and impressive
approach steps. Locals often referred to it as “a- gho-m’ose-kan,” meaning
it was so captivating that one could admire it until accidentally
stumbling upon something.
(11) The house at No 6, Igboroko Nla Street, Owo played a pivotal role during
the launching of the Action Group political party in Owo. It hosted
distinguished guests, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo (the first
Premier of the Western Region), Chief S. L. Akintola (Deputy Premier
of the Western Region), Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi (the first
Governor of the Western Region), and many other dignitaries, as well
as cultural groups. Currently, architecture students use the house as
a case study in Brazilian architecture in Ondo State, Nigeria.
(12) Drawing from their experience in constructing Mapo Hall in Ibadan, J
Alabi Osokiya & Sons and Ohiomo & Sons contracted to build the Town Hall and Office complex for the Owo Division Council. The
finished town hall resembled the renowned Mapo Hall in Ibadan, earning
it the name “Oke Mapo.” Construction took place between 1956 and 1958.
(13) Baba finally returned and settled in Owo in 1958 after being installed
as the Osokiya of Isuadaland in Owo by the Olowo of Owo kingdom, Sir
Olateru Olagbegi II.
(14) High Chief Joshua Alabi Osokiya passed away in 1978 at the age of 78.
He left behind many wives, children, and grandchildren.
(15) Some of the projects undertaken by J. Alabi Osokiya and Sons include:
In Ibadan:
*Governor’s House, Iyagankun, Ibadan
*Government printing press buildings secretarial
*Numerous residential buildings
In Owo:
*Oke Mapo and office building
*Hostels, Dining Hall, and Administration Building for Divisional Teacher Training College (now Methodist High School, Owo) Imade college , Owo, Methodist High School
*CAC Church, Igboroko, Owo
*Rural Roads and Bridges
*Many residential buildings, among others
* Most of the houses of Sir Olateru- Olagbegi (2)
In Warri:
*Coastal Sea walls for Warri Port
In Sapele:
*Coastal Sea walls for Sapele Quay.
