Meet First Nigerian gospel singer who composed Ẹgba Anthem

Many people know the Ẹgba Anthem, (Lori Oke, o'un Pẹtẹlẹ....) Ipso facto, they do not know who composed the song.

He was among the first Christians in Egbaland and the first Christian in the Ransome-Kuti family when the British missionaries converted them from traditional religion worshippers to Christians. He was a clergyman, teacher and music composer.

His name was Josiah Jesse Ransome - Kuti, the grandfather of the great musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Jesse was born on the 1st of June, 1855 in Igbein, Abeokuta. He went to Church Missionary Society Training Institution, Abeokuta and the Church Missionary Society Training Institute, Lagos in 1871.

Josiah became a teacher at St. Peter's School, Ake, Abeokuta, he later left to become music teacher at the Church Missionary Society Girls School, Lagos in 1879, the place he met his wife Bertha Anny Erinade Olubi.

  J.J as he was fondly called was made catechist at the Gbagura Church Parsonage, Abeokuta In 1891.

He was a deacon in 1895, ordained as a priest in 1897 and was later appointed district judge from 1902 to 1906. Josiah was appointed pastor of St. Peter's Cathedral Church, Ake 1911. He became canon of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos in 1922.

He composed Egba Anthem:

Lori oke o'un pẹtẹlẹ,

Ibẹ l'agbe bi mi o,

Ibẹ l'agbe tọ mi d'agba oo Ilẹ ominira

Chorus: Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọ o l'Ori Olumọ,
Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọo, l'ori Olumọ,

Abẹokuta ilu Egba n ko ni gbagbe e rẹ,
N o gbe  ọ l'eke ọkan mi bii ilu odo ọya,
Emi o f'Abẹokuta s'ogo N o duro l'ori Olumọ,
Maayọ l'orukọ Egba ooo Emi omọọ Lisabi.

*Chorus: Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọ o l'Ori Olumọ,
Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọo, l'Ori Olumọ,

Emi o maayọ l'ori Olumọ,
Emi o s'ogoo yi l'ọkan mi Wipe ilu olokiki o L'awa Ẹgba n gbe

*Chorus: Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọ o l'Ori Olumọ,
Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọo, l'Ori Olumọ,

    * Reverend J.J died on the 4th of September, 1930.

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