Be a Gem: In Memory of Pastor Elder Olufemi Martins (Baba Marto)

There are people whose presence defines an era. In the Aviary Club of Nigeria, one such towering figure was Elder Olufemi Martins, affectionately known to many as Baba Marto. To say he was a gem that comes once in a generation is not hyperbole. His legacy is one of mentorship, integrity, and vision: a man who helped to shape generations of Avians, guiding them to become intellectuals of character and conscience.

The Aviary Club of Nigeria (ACN) is a worldwide non-profit, multi-disciplinary organization, whose roots lie deeply in the ideals of brotherhood, social justice, and leadership.

It was at the University of Ibadan that the club began as a student body committed to activism and moral seriousness. One of its earliest defining moments came following the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed in 1976, members of the club, including Olufemi Martins, participated in the protest demonstration in Ibadan in response.

Over time, the Aviary Club evolved from its student-club beginnings into a global institution with members across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, graduates and professionals who strive to carry on its core values.

Elder Olufemi Martins was more than a member; he was a pillar and a true Avian.

• He was described repeatedly as a mentor, brother, friend, and a person of exemplar moral rectitude.

• His leadership was instrumental in guiding the Aviary Club from campus activism to global professionalism. Under his influence, the club transcended its original boundaries.

• Even in his final days, he remained devoted, to his family, to his faith (having served as a Pastor), to the ideals of the club, to his daughters, and to all those he nurtured.

In the words of one Avian writing about him:

“He was a key personality to the propagation of our Club … an exemplary gentleman. A man of integrity. And a friend for all situations … We celebrate you, Baba Oloki though you will be sorely missed.”

The mark of a great man is not only what he builds, but what continues on after him. Baba Marto’s legacy is manifest in several enduring ways:

1. The Medical Outreach Program In his memory, the Aviary Club of Nigeria holds a Medical Outreach, now in its 9th edition as of 2024. These outreach events seek to provide healthcare and aid to underserved communities.

2. Charitable & Educational Engagements Under the club’s activities, there are orphanage visits, provision of writing materials to schools (e.g. Dutse Alhaji, Abuja), and other community service events. These embody the compassion that Baba Marto upheld.

3. Strengthening the Institution of the Aviary Club Thanks to his efforts, the Aviary Club has grown in structure, impact, reputation, and reach. It is no longer simply a student club; it is a broad, global fellowship of minds committed to integrity, leadership, and social impact.

4. Personal Mentorship Many of the current members testify to how Baba Marto shaped them not just as professionals, but as persons: cultivating integrity, humility, and a sense of responsibility. His life illustrates how leadership is lived, not merely preached.

   
   

The phrase Ìròkò, likely referencing the great iroko tree, a symbol of strength, stability, and endurance in Yoruba culture, is apt: a tree that stood firm, sheltered many, and whose absence is keenly felt.

To be an Avian is to be under wing. To have known him personally or through the ripples of his influence is a privilege. As ACN continues its work, its faith, its service, its demand for justice and integrity, these things are all richer because of Pastor Elder Olufemi Martins.

In honor of Baba Marto, let us:

• commit to upholding the ideals he held dear: integrity, service, brotherhood, education, and justice

• carry forward the charitable works in his name and memory

• mentor the younger generation as he mentored so many

• remember that institutions endure because of people like him

Late Pastor Elder Olufemi Martins (Baba Marto) was truly one in a generation, a gem whose light continues to shine through the lives he touched, the principles he defended, and the club he helped build. The Aviary Club of Nigeria is and will forever be richer for his life.

May his memory remain a blessing. Rest in Eternal Peace, Baba Marto.

“May this remembrance bring us to light, that we are all only passing through this world. What will you be remembered for? Let us live lives of service, integrity, and love, just as Baba Marto did. For in the end, our true legacy is not what we own, but the lives we touch.”