Yoruba Blog

Chief Salami Agbaje House, Ayeye, Ibadan.

Born in Lagos in 1880 to the family of Mr Durowoju, an Islamic teacher originally from Iseyin and Mrs Sinatu, a native of Ibadan. He started as an apprentice under a tailor and learned the art of tailoring. Later, towards the end of the nineteenth century, he left for Ibadan to find better opportunities.

In 1901 when the railway from Lagos reached Ibadan, and planks made from timber were to be used for lining the rails, he took to logging. Although this held little attraction for him, he was able to raise some capital with which he would begin the sale of agricultural produce. He bought Cocoa, Palm Kernel, and many other items from farmers in the interior and sold them to European firms who shipped them abroad. Despite the impediment of the first world war, Salami sold at great profit, he was one of the few contemporary businessmen who had the capital to import goods from Europe.

He was reported to be a man of sharp acumen, he was able to withstand intimidating competition from the likes of Patterson and Zochonis Ltd. and John Holt & Co. Ltd. by regularly publicizing his business. Several issues of the Yoruba News in the mid-1920s are seen to have carried his company’s advertisements on the front page.

Also, he owned a transport company and a mechanical garage for servicing his vehicles and those of members of the public. He was credited for investing in his children education. He died in 1953.

Dr. & Mrs George Green arrived Ogbomoso on March 18, 1907 where they started the Ogbomoso Baptist Hospital now "Bowen Teaching Hospital"

Almost exactly two months prior, the couple had set out from Norfolk, Virginia, to where they now stood, soaked, in Ogbomosho, Nigeria. George and Lydia Green were met by fellow missionaries and a tornado.
“Good omen … It means the stranger will stay in our midst a long time,” remarked the Greens’ new neighbors.
And stay they did. For 37 years, George and Lydia served among the Nigerian people in a myriad of ways.
Opening up their home as a hospital, the Greens turned the shade tree in their yard into a waiting room. Under the tree every day, a local Christian would read God’s Word. Inside, patients were treated free of charge. George stated, “Medical work is an auxiliary to evangelism.”
As the treasurer and supervisor of the Foreign Mission Board in West Africa, George also traveled extensively. Wherever he went as a supervisor, meeting with the pastor was his initial task. Then they went to the leader to ask for his blessing to do ministry. After obtaining the leader’s permission, George and the pastor addressed the physical and spiritual health of the region. In places with no pastor, George baptized, discussed questions of church membership and did communion with the congregation.

Green was installed Ba'asegun of Ogbomoso and died in 1962 at the age of 90.

Source: IMB Archives