THE STORY BEHIND “1313” – HOW A NAME WAS BORN
THE STORY BEHIND “1313” – HOW A NAME WAS BORN
Akure was buzzing today as the children of late Chief Joshua Omotayo Fatoyinbo, popularly known as 1313, gave their father a befitting burial. Events held at different centers across the capital city, with big musicians holding the mic. In Akure, “1313” is a household name — even those who never met him know the name.
But that trademark alias wasn’t born out of pride. It came from a moment that almost broke him.
In his early years, Chief Joshua didn’t go far in formal education. He went into carpentry instead. After finishing his apprenticeship, he set up a workshop right opposite St. David’s Cathedral Church, Ijomu, Akure. Through hard work and perseverance, he grew from a local carpenter into a respected craftsman in Akure and beyond. He later moved from carpentry into large-scale construction, and his company became known as Joshua Omotayo and Sons Civil Engineering Construction Company. He also went into motor dealing and founded the Eji-Oba Motel.
Before all that success, his first ride was a bicycle. Later, he bought a motorcycle — the type people called “Vesper”. When he went to the licensing office to register it, he met with what felt like injustice. After waiting in a long queue, he was told to step aside so car owners could be attended to first. The treatment saddened him and brought him to tears.
When they finally attended to him, it seemed even fate had little left — only one unusual number was available: 1313. Without argument, he accepted it. What felt like disappointment, he took as destiny.
What started as a reluctant compromise soon became his identity. The repeated number caught people’s attention wherever he rode, and they began calling him “1313”. The name stuck. He later gave the same number to all his vehicles, turning it into a symbol and a trademark that everyone in Akure came to know.
SOMI AJAYI
D’ Great Arisajay
