Chief Joseph Orekoya was born on November 12, 1940 into the family of Pa John Koya Orekoya and Madam Rebecca Oluneye Orekoya of Imeri, Ijebu Imusin. He attended Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Lagos, from 1947 to 1950, and St. Theresa’s Catholic Primary School between 1951 and 1954 when he sat for and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He earned his Teacher Grade III Certificate in 1959 from St. Malachy’s Teacher College, Minna. Between 1961 and 1962, he attended St. Endas Teachers College, Zaria, and passed the Teacher Grade II Certificate. In 1968, he obtained his NCE (Geography and History) from the College of Education, University of Lagos, and a B.Ed (Geography) from the University of Ibadan in 1974.
He served as a teacher at Catholic Primary School, Saminaka, Zaria, Kaduna, from January 1959 to December 1960, and as Headmaster from January 1963 to August 1965. He taught Geography and Education at St. Leo’s Teachers’ College, Abeokuta, from July 1968 to September 1971, and was a Geography and English teacher at Nawairudeen Grammar School, Abeokuta, from September to November 1971.
He joined the West African Breweries (makers of Top beer) as Marketing Executive Trainee from November 1974 to May 1975. From 1975 to 1979, he was the Branch Manager, Ibadan, including the then Oyo and Kwara States. He rose to the post of Area Manager, Lagos, covering Lagos and Ogun marketing areas from 1979 to 1980. He later served as Group Distribution Manager of the company, accountable for product distribution. He worked in the statistics department from 1981 to June 1983; and eventually as Senior Manager, Special Duties, responsible for marketing projects, surveys and research, from June 1983 to February 1984. In 1984, he moved to Standard Breweries (Club Beer), Ibadan, as Area Manager for Oyo, Kwara, Kogi, Oshogbo, Ondo and Ekiti marketing areas. He held this post until he resigned his appointment from the company in August 1985.
In 1996, he joined the Board of Governors of Ijebu Imusin Comprehensive High School, Ilagunjo serving until 2002. He has been a member of Ijebu Imusin Planning Body (IPB) since 1982 and has served the IPB in various positions. He was Committee Chairman for the 1993 Annual Rally, during which time he invited two bands (Obesere and a Juju band) to the rally. He acted as its Treasurer from 1995 to 1996 and was its President between 2003 and 2004, having first been Vice President from 2001 to 2002. In 2007, he organised a landmark carnival as part of the annual rally of that year.
He was Councillor and Majority Leader, Ijebu Imusin Ward I, Ijebu East Local Government, and founding member and treasurer of AD, Ijebu Imusin Ward I from 1991 to 1993. In May 2003, he served for only one month as pioneer Chairman, Ijebu East Central Local Government. From 2004 to 2007, he was Special Adviser (community development) to the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government. He is an Associate Member of Nigeria Marketing Association, and a member of Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM). He is a member of Hoteliers’ Association of Nigeria, Ijebu Zone. He is currently Chairman/Managing Director, Imeri Paradise Guest House, Ijebu Imusin.
Chief Orekoya holds the traditional titles of ‘Fesogboye’ of Itasin Imobi and ‘Kakanfo’ of Ijebu Imusin. He has served the Catholic Church, Esure and Idona, in various roles. He has been a member of Ijebu Imusin Young Men Catholic Association since 1982 and the current treasurer of the Association’s Investment Scheme. His interests include table tennis, snookers, draught and ‘ayo’. Chief Orekoya is married to Chief (Mrs.) Juliana A. Orekoya. They are blessed with three sons and two daughters.
