Babalola Aliyu

Right: Baba holds months old Abomo Bolaji

Babalola, popularly known as Babalokoja was the youngest son of the Ologori Aliyu. As a young prince, he was loved and had a lot of freedom to do whatever he wanted. He had a lot of zest: from his early age, he learnt to ride a horse and with it he displayed his youthfulness. As an adventurous young man, Babalola left Ogori to Lokoja where he settled and later earned the name “Babalokoja” He trained and became a boat/ ferry painter by vocation. However, he also sailed from place to place while he practiced his vocation, sometimes in the employment of white sailors. Among the places he sailed to from Lokoja were Burutu (in the Niger delta), to Bida, Baro, Itobe, Ajaokuta, Idah Jebba.

He married a Bida lady, who was popularly known as Iyawo, and had Jolasun Majolagbe and Abdulwahab Obinekewe, the two that survived to adulthood, of many children

Although he spent most of his time int the ship, he had a home at Lokoja where he integrated into the Nupe/Hausa community. By the above association, he not only spoke their languages fluently, but also embraced the islamic faith. He prayed and fasted faithfully in accordance to the tenets of the religion. And when puzzled by people's actions or words or events, he would exclaim “Suba hana lahi”

Although he virtually became one and could be mistaken for a Nupe or Hausa man, Babalokoja did not forget his language or his people completely. While at Lokoja, he maintained some contact with notable Ogori people, such as Bawa and Mr. Osheidu, who were around there. Babalokoja had a good sense of history. He was fond of telling interesting stories about his journey from one place to another. He also told stories obout the colonial administration and what he remembered the family history.

On noticing that Babalokoja was advancing in age, Ologori Bawa made efforts; and with great persuasion, managed to convince him to relocate back to Ogori. However. When he came, he could not immediately fit into the community. He had to move to Okene where he could get house-painting jobs as well as live among the people whose culture he mostly identify with - the Hausa Community.

Baba also had herbal skills. He prepared herbal medicine for many types of ailments, such as different types of fevers, convulsion, stomach problems. He was widely patronized for his “ agunmu”.

He was a good comfort to Bawa in the time of crisis. He was one of those who advised Bawa to build a house with the govenment loan istead of buying a car. He moved to His nephew's house in Okene at the demise of the latter and latter became the head of the Eminefo family. In the Early 90s, Professor Olu Akerejola sponsored Babalokoja on pilgrimage to Mecca

At the death of his wife (Iyawo) he moved finally to Ogori. Baba Alhaji died at a good age - well over 90 years old; but until his death, he was still looking strong physically.

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