Ogun State is blessed with a dazzling array of highly
industrious, resourceful, honest and enlightened people.
Without being immodest, it can be said that in all callings
and departments of life, citizens of Ogun State origin and some residents as
well, have not only distinguished themselves, but more importantly, they have
been trail blazers.
Ogun State produced icons and pioneers such as Alexander
Akintola Sapara-Williams, the first Nigerian lawyer; Hon. Justice Olumuyiwa
Jibowu, the first Nigerian Judge to sit on the Supreme Court Bench; Sir
Adetokunbo Ademola, the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria; Sir Simeon
Adebo, Pioneer Permanent Secretary, Head of Civil Service and Permanent
Representative of Nigeria at the United Nations; Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the
first Nigerian lawyer to head a Regional Government.
Other prominent indigenes of the Gateway State are: Chief
F.R.A Williams, the first Nigerian Queen’s Counsel; Hon. Justice Sigismund
Lambo, President of the Federal High Court; Chief M.K.O Abiola, the elected
President that was never sworn into office; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former
Military Head of State and Civilian President; Prof. Wole Soyinka, Black
Africa’s first Nobel Laureate; Chief Bisi Onabanjo; Chief Segun Osoba; Otunba
Gbenga Daniel; Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr; Senator Jubril
Martins Kuye, Chief Subomi Balogun; Alhaja Salmot Badru. The list is endless.
And today, Ogun State can still boast of people who are
movers and shakers of the Nigerian Society. These prominent citizens of the
Gateway State call shots in their various callings and assignments.
One of such is Alhaji Olatunde Okewole, the Executive
Chairman of Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board. He is a quiet and
unassuming man who takes pride in achieving success
through hard work and
determination. A reason why his string of achievements in public
service and private life stand him out among his peers as a
highly focused man.
He was born on 10th May, 1954, into
the family of Mr. and Mrs Jimoh Okewole of Gbagura descendant in Abeokuta North
Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Alhaji Okewole attended
Owu Baptist Day Primary School, Abeokuta, between 1961 and 1967 for his
elementary education. Thereafter, he proceeded to the foremost African Church
Grammar School (AFRO), Abeokuta, between 1968 and 1974 for his secondary
education.
In a bid to satisfy
his burning desire for higher academic qualifications, Alhaji Okewole proceeded
to The Polytechnic, Ibadan, between 1974 and 1976 for his tertiary education.
He however left the school to join the family business in 1976 due to the
demise of his father in order to mentor his legion of brothers and sisters.
In 1984, he established his own
business which he has nurtured to attain enviable position across Ogun State
and South West Nigeria, and has become an accomplished businessman and shining
example in public administration.
In 2011, Ogun State Governor, Senator
Ibikunle Amosun appointed Alhaji Okewole as the Chairman, Ogun State Local
Government Service Commission where he left a footprint of excellent
performance and outstanding achievements in office. His outstanding performance
at the Local Government Service Commission was rewarded by Governor Amosun with
yet another appointment as the Executive Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic
Education Board, which has witnessed tremendous turnaround under his leadership
since he came into the saddle.
Alhaji Olatunde Okewole, a great philanthropist
and devout Muslim, is presently the Vice Chairman of District 4 Ansar-Ud-Deen
Society of Nigeria, Abeokuta Branch and a former Board Member of the Boys Scout
Movement. His
philanthropic gestures cut across social and religious divides as he always
play prominent roles in religious activities and community development.
Another notable personality that etched his name in the
annals of Ogun State and Nigeria is Chief Israel Akanni Akinwale who came, saw
and conquered by traversing the length and breadth of the universe seeking for
knowledge and advancement which earned him the height and accomplishment he
attained today.
He was born into the family of Chief Orukotan Akinwale and
Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Akinwale, both of Apena Keesi and Jaguna Keesi dynasty,
Keesi Township, Abeokuta.
Chief Akinwale attended Lisabi Grammar School and Ebenezer
Grammar School, Abeokuta, for his secondary education. Thereafter, he left the
shores of Nigeria for further studies in the United Kingdom.
While abroad, he attended Willesden College of Technology,
London, where he obtained National Certificate in Engineering in 1969. He was later admitted at South East College,
London, and graduated with Higher National Diploma/DIPTECH in Mechanical and
Production Engineering in 1972.
Before he left the shores of Nigeria, Chief Akinwale had
earlier worked briefly as a Clerical Officer at the Federal Ministry of Labour
from 1964 to 1965. Upon his return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, he was
employed as Consultant with Project Development Centre, INTRA Motors and SCOA Motors
from 1974 to 1976.
On the move, Chief Akinwale was appointed Sales Engineer and
rose to become Technical Manager (Mining and Drilling) at RT Briscoe Technical
Department from 1976 to 1981. He was later appointed as National Sales Manager
at Nitro Nobel Nigeria Limited between 1982 and 1984.
Chief Akanni Akinwale’s managerial competence and business
acumen manifested in the successes recorded when he established Rocktools
Nigeria Limited since 1984, where he has been serving as the Chief Executive
Officer. He is a thoroughbred professional whose professional competence is
widely acknowledged.
As a very successful businessman and philanthropist of great
repute, he has not lost the common touch inspite of his achievements. His
active participation and immense contributions to several community development
projects earned him several chieftaincy titles such as; Otunbaade Keesi
Township; Ilagbe of Egbaland; Apena Keesi and Apena Egba Eku of Egba Alake;
Baagbimo of Egbaland; Chairman, Egba General Title Chiefs; General Secretary,
Ogboni Egba; Chairman, Keesi Development Council.
He has equally bagged several Awards of recognition which
include; Gold Merit Award, by Emmanuel Anglican Church, Keesi, Abeokuta;
Ambassador Extraordinary Award, by Egba National Association, USA/Canada;
Notable Philanthropist Award; Fellow, Academy for Arts & Culture, Nigeria.
Chief Akanni Akinwale is a highly sociable personality who
belongs to various clubs and associations which include; Pioneer President,
Egba Club 150; Pioneer Secretary, Egba New Era Club; Member, Association of
Friends, Lagos; Member, Abeokuta Club; Pioneer Member and Past Financial
Secretary, Pentagon Club of Nigeria; Patron, Christian Youth Fellowship, Keesi;
Patron, Morning Star Society, Keesi; Patron, Marvellous Ladies Club of Nigeria;
Patron, Royal Club of Abeokuta.
In the field of education, Alhaji (Imam) Maruf Adeola
Adekunle stands out.
He was born over 50 years ago to Alhaji Hazzan Akanni
Adekunle and Alhaja Anike Adekunle. He started his elementary education at
Muslim Primary School, Abeokuta, where he obtained his first school leaving
certificate in 1980. Thereafter, he attended Ilugun High School, Abeokuta,
where he obtained West African School Certificate before proceeding to Usman
Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto, for his Advanced Level Certificate in Arabic and
Islamic Studies which he obtained in 1992.
The desire to acquire university education and attain
academic excellence made Alhaji Adekunle to enroll at Olabisi Onabanjo
University, Ago-Iwoye, where he graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in
Business Administration (Education) in 2006. Presently, he is pursuing a
Masters Degree programme.
Alhaji Maruf Adekunle, a seasoned educationist, began his teaching
career at his alma mater, Ilugun High School, Abeokuta, where he was appointed
as a class teacher from 1992 to 1993. He later moved to Salawu Abiola
Comprehensive High School, Abeokuta, from 1993 to 1994 and subsequently taught
at Nawair-Ud-Deen High School, Oke-Ijeun, Abeokuta, between 2004 and 2006.
His dream of becoming a school proprietor, which he has been
nurturing from his youthful days, came to fulfillment in 1998 when he
established Al-Maruf International Academy. Though the school started in his
father’s house, and later moved to rented apartment, today it is a success
story as the school is now operating from its permanent site with buildings for
nursery, primary and college students.
As a thoroughbred educationist, Alhaji Maruf Adekunle is proud
of the achievements of his school in raising brilliant students, who not only
perform excellently in internal and external examinations, but also exhibit
moral uprightness wherever they are.
The several accomplishments of Alhaji Adekunle do not in any
way overshadow his social and communal life, as he is also playing active roles
in this regard. He is the Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of
Private Schools, Abeokuta South Local Government. He is also the Chairman,
Imala Tuntun Oke Arakanga Community Development Association, Abeokuta. He is
also a philanthropist of note who has contributed immensely to societal
development, particularly the education sector where he is leaving a legacy.
Another
distinguished son of Ogun State, well reputed in the business world, and whose
contributions to the development of Ogun State will continue to reverberate is Mr.
Segun Babarinde.
He
was born over 40 years ago, and had his education at Ideal Nursery and Primary
School, Arigbajo, SEGA Polytechnic Secondary Staff School, Yewa Staff Local
Government School II, Ilaro, and then Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta. Thereafter, he proceeded to FUMOT Computer
College, Sapon, Abeokuta, and later gained admission into Ogun State
Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), Abeokuta in 1994. In 1995, he
secured another admission into Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo
University), Ago-Iwoye, where he graduated with B.Sc Sociology.
His
undying love for higher academic attainment made him to further proceed to the
University of Ibadan, where he bagged M.Sc Sociology.
In
order to be independent, after obtaining his first degree at Olabisi Onabanjo
University, he went on apprenticeship in shoe business, and was designing shoes
which he would take to cobblers in Mushin, Lagos, to couple and thereafter sold
them. He was lucky to have been posted to Assurance Bank in Lagos for his one
year national youth service and this gave him the opportunity to have more time
for his shoe business which later blossomed. He was later redeployed to Ogun
Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Abeokuta, where he completed his
national service before he proceeded for his post graduate degree programme.
In
fulfillment of his childhood dream, Segun went straight into mobile telecommunication
business after his youth service, thus becoming self employed. He started by
selling mobile phones and later became major dealer/partner to the mobile
network providers such as; MTN, GLOBACOM, AIRTEL, 9MOBILE.
Today,
he is the Chief Executive Officer, KADMAT Technologies and EQUINOX Integrated
Limited, Abeokuta.
Having
surmounted initial challenges that dotted his path when he ventured into mobile
telecommunication business in Ogun State, Segun Babarinde has indeed
revolutionized the business, thus making success of his decision to take to
business very early in life.
In
Abeokuta where he operates from, he has built a large clientele within and
outside the town in such a way that he has become a household name in mobile
telecommunication business. To this end, Segun Babarinde is popularly referred
to as Segun Babs or Kadmat.
He
has become a role model for honesty, modesty and achievement by merit. He has
through his businesses, offered employment and empowerment to the teeming
youths in Abeokuta and beyond, while contributing immeasurably to the
development of Ogun State.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu is
one man that has demonstrated that wherever you live and earn a living is more
or less your place of birth. He has through his profession contributed
immensely to the security and development of Ogun State.
CP Iliyasu is a highly disciplined Police Officer whose
exemplary performance in the Nigerian Police will continue to be a reference
point in the years ahead. He was born on 27th May, 1961, and had his
primary education at L.E.A Primary School, Tudun Wada, Kaduna, from 1970 to
1976 before he proceeded to Rimi College, Kaduna, from 1976 to 1981 for his
secondary education. He also attended School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria, from 1981 to 1982.
CP Iliyasu gained admission into Usman Danfodio University,
Sokoto, in 1982 and graduated in 1985 with B.A (Hons.) Degree in History/Social
Sciences, after which he observed the mandatory one year national youth service
between 1985 and 1986.
The burning desire to serve his fatherland propelled CP
Iliyasu to consider building a career in the police profession, hence his
preference to seek admission to Nigeria Police Academy Annex, Kaduna, from 1988
to 1989 and graduated as Cadet ASP.
As a thoroughbred professional, he attended several local and
international courses to enrich his knowledge and aid his career.
CP Ahmed Iliyasu’s hard work and dedication to duty earned
him accelerated promotions in service. He was commissioned as ASP II on
probation from 1988 to 1989, and was promoted ASP I in 1990. In 1992, he was
elevated to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, and became
Superintendent of Police in 19995. On the move, he was promoted to the rank of
Chief Superintendent of Police in 2000, while in 2005, he attained the rank of
Assistant Commissioner of Police. He became Deputy Commissioner of Police in
2012. However, the turning point in his career was when he earned promotion to
the rank of Commissioner of Police in 2016.
CP Iliyasu, a man who was never found wanting in the
discharge of his duties, was saddled with higher responsibilities at various
commands. At Kaduna State Command, he served in the following capacities: Admin
Officer (A/O), Gabasawa Division, Kaduna; 2I/C DCO, Kachia Division, Kaduna;
O/C General Investigation, SCIID, Kaduna; AIDE-DE Camp (ADC) to former
Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Late Alhaji Dabo M. Lere; O/C Anti Robbery
and Car Theft, SCIID, Kaduna. At United Nations Verification Mission,
Angola-UNAVEM III, he served as Chief Investigation Officer at Luanda
Headquarters from 1995 to 1996. At Police College, Kaduna, he was O/C Basic
Training Wing between 1996 and 2000.
While at Gombe State Command, he served as Divisional Police
Officer (DPO), Gombe Central from 2000 to 2001. He served as 2I/C at State
Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau between 2001 and 2004, and was
Divisional Police Officer at Kaltungo Division from 2004 to 2005.
At FCT Command, he served as Divisional Police Officer, Utako
‘B’ Division from 2005 to 2006. He was Director, Professional Studies at
Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, from 2007 to 2007, while he became the Area
Commander, Sokoto Metro at Sokoto State Command from 2007 to 2012. He was later
transferred to Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCIID), Abuja, where he
served as DC at Anti Fraud Section between 2012 and 2014. He was transferred to
Ports Authority Western Command, Lagos, and served as 2I/C from 2014 to 2016.
Upon his elevation to the position of Commissioner of Police
in 2016, CP Iliyasu, served in this new capacity as Co-ordinator of Courses at
Police Staff College, Jos, before he was later transferred to Ogun State in the
same year as Commissioner of Ogun State.
While in Ogun State, CP Iliyasu has recorded outstanding
achievements in the area of security and crime control which have endeared him
to the people of Ogun State. During his tenure the state has witnessed
tremendous improvements in security of lives and properties.
Another distinguished personality of outstanding quality who
is gently making his mark in the Legal practice is Mr. Ibrahim Atanda who was born
over 40 years ago. He began his primary education at Adeta Primary School,
Ilorin and later proceeded to Government High School, Ilorin, where he obtained
his West African School Certificate in 1992. Thereafter, he attended Kwara
State Polytechnic, and graduated with Diploma in Common and Islamic Law.
His insatiable appetite for higher education got him admitted
to the University of Ilorin, where he bagged LL.B in Common and Islamic Law in
2001. In 2003, he was awarded B.L, having attended and passed from the Nigerian
Law School, Bagauda, Kano.
Ibrahim Atanda, a man who is always aiming at the top,
proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he obtained LL.M in
2010, in order to be well equipped for a smooth and successful career in his
chosen law profession.
Between 2003 and 2004, Mr. Atanda observed the mandatory one
year national youth service at Ogun State Governor’s Office, Abeokuta.
Indeed, his journey to an unblemished career in the legal
practice began as an Associate, Toye Coker & Co., from 2004 to 2015.
Having had several years of career experience, Mr. Atanda
became the Principal Partner, Ibrahim Atanda & Co., Abeokuta, where he has
been demonstrating his rich knowledge in legal practice from 2015 to date.
As an active legal practitioner since 2004, Ibrahim Atanda
has been appearing at the various divisions of the Court of Appeal and the Federal
High Court, as well as the State High Courts.
He is a Member, Nigerian Bar Association; Member,
International Bar Association; Immediate Past Chairman, Nigerian Bar
Association, Abeokuta Branch and currently NEC Representative of NBA, Abeokuta
branch at the national level of NBA.
His steady rise in his chosen career is attributed to his
disposition to hard work and leadership traits which he developed way back in
his undergraduate days.
During his university days, Ibrahim Atanda belonged to
several students’ associations, through which he gave leadership to fellow
students. He was President, Ilorin Emirate Students Union, University of Ilorin
chapter, 1999-2000; National President, National Association of Kwara State
Students, 2000-2001; Past Financial Secretary/Treasurer, Students’
Representative Council, Nigerian Law School, Kano Campus; State Secretary,
Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, 2003-2004.
Ibrahim Atanda is a notable contributor to the development of
Ogun State, despite not being an indigene of the state. His support to various
projects in the state knows no ethnic barrier as he has made available his
God-given resources to advance the greater good of Ogun State, a feat that is
not common among aliens.
A philanthropist and devout Muslim, Atanda has been honoured
with several Awards in recognition of his contributions to societal
development.
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