On September 21, 1955, Nigeria lost one of its visionary traditional leaders when Oba Joel Adeboye, the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, tragically died in a plane crash in Tripoli, Libya. The news was reported in an article titled “Oba dies in plane crash! Echoes of Tripoli air disaster” by Ade Odusanya, preserved in family archives.
Early Life and Reign
Oba Joel Adeboye ascended the throne as the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, and during his eight-year reign, he became widely celebrated for his progressive initiatives in education, urban development, and agriculture.
Educational Contributions: He established Molusi College and Ijebu-Igbo Girls’ Secondary School, providing access to quality education for both boys and girls in the region.
Town Development: Adeboye played a pivotal role in deforesting and unifying Ijebu-Igbo, developing road networks, and enhancing urban planning.
Agricultural Advancement: He attracted initiatives such as the Apoje Agricultural Project, fostering economic growth and self-sufficiency for the community.
The Tripoli Air Disaster
The plane crash in Tripoli claimed the lives of 15 people, including the revered Oba. Survivor accounts included in the article described the disaster as sudden and devastating, leaving a lasting mark on those who witnessed it.
Legacy
Oba Joel Adeboye is remembered as a progressive and transformative ruler, whose contributions to education, infrastructure, and agriculture left a lasting impact on Ijebu-Igbo. His untimely death was not only a loss for the community but also for Nigeria’s broader traditional leadership heritage.
Source: Ade Odusanya, “Oba dies in plane crash! Echoes of Tripoli air disaster”, PM Newspaper (photocopy from maternal family archives).
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