Emmanuel Alayande; Clergyman and educationist, president of the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, who due to his integrity became one of the most respected elders in the country. Alayande was born in 1910, in Ibadan, Oyo State and graduated from the University of London’s Institute of Education, England. He was vice-principal, Ibadan Grammar School, 1947-1948; principal, Ibadan Grammar School from 1948-1968; Chairman, State Schools Board, Western State, 1968-1971, Commissioner, Public Service Commission, Western State, 1971-1975; and Archdeacon of Ibadan Anglican Diocese in 1970. He was also an executive member and chaplain of Action Group and Unity Party of Nigeria between 1948-1983.
Alayande was honoured with traditional title, Aare of Ibadan and a foreign honour: a member of the Order of tire British Empire, OBE, in 1960. He was also special adviser on education to Bola Ige, the first democratic governor of the old Oyo State. He was married to Ebun Akinyele and has two daughters and a son[i]. Alayande was such a man of influence that his 70th birthday held at his Ode-Aye home was attended by such dignitaries as Obafemi Awolowo and wife, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Daniel Akinbiyi, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oyebade Lipede, Chief Odutola amj top government functionaries[ii].
[i] Tell, Jnauary 20, 2003
[ii] Punch, January 27, 1980
