A retired Military Officer and Security Expert, Sir Colonel (Dr) Ademola Onalaja (Rtd.), KJW, has emerged as the new Balogun of Ago-Iwoye.
Col. Onalaja was officially announced as Balogun of Ago-Iwoye on Friday, 3rd November, 2023, by Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba, at a traditional ceremony for the new Chieftaincy title at the Ebumawe's Palace, Ago-Iwoye.
Great Achiever Magazine reports that at the occasion which had in attendance Quarter Chiefs, community leaders and notable sons and daughters of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Adenugba said the choice of Demola Onalaja as the new Balogun of Ago-Iwoye was a popular one, given his antecedents and various contributions to the development of Ago-Iwoye.
The Monarch said Demola Onalaja, who succeeds Chief Kawonise as the third Balogun of Ago-Iwoye, is an accomplished military officer whose role in Nation building was incomparable, having served Nigeria in several capacities while in active service.
Oba Adenugba said Chief Demola Onalaja brought honour not only to Nigeria, but also to Ago-Iwoye which he has made proud and placed in the world map.
The Royal Father described the new Balogun of Ago-Iwoye as a man of honour and integrity whose wealth of experience will be of immense value to the continued progress and development of Ago-Iwoye.
He prayed for the success of Chief Demola Onalaja as he steps in as the new Balogun of Ago-Iwoye.
The Quarter Chiefs in attendance took turn to pray for Balogun Demola Onalaja.
The Baba Oba of Ago-Iwoye, Maj. Gen. S.A Awosanya, in his remarks congratulated Balogun Demola Onalaja on his new title which he said was well deserved.
Gen Awosanya, who expressed happiness for being in the same military profession with Onalaja in the past, assured that the new Balogun of Ago-Iwoye will live up to expectation in view of his several accomplishments when he was in active service as a Military Officer.
Balogun Demola Onalaja, while speaking on his new title, expressed his appreciation to Oba Abdul-Razaq Adenugba and the entire people of Ago-Iwoye for finding him worthy of the great honour, adding that he would continue to give priority to the affairs of Ago-Iwoye in line with his new title.
Great Achiever Magazine reports that the installation ceremony of the new title will take place at a later date.
Col. Ademola Onalaja was born over 60 years ago to the famous family of late Chief and Mrs. Julius Oladipupo Onalaja of blessed memories.
Young Ademola had his primary education at the Lagos City Council Primary School, Fadeyi-Lagos and thereafter proceeded to CMS Grammar School, Bariga-Lagos in 1974 for his secondary education.
With a humble background, he joined the Military and was commissioned in 1984 as an officer and posted to the Nigerian Army Signals.
Whilst in the Military, Col. Demola Onalaja held various appointments such as Adjutant; ADC to Military Governor of Ogun and Lagos States; Chief Instructor in charge of Research, Development, Trial and Evaluation; Staff Officer at junior and senior levels, responsible for staff duties, planning, operations and training.
Others include Colonel Logistics at HQ Nigerian Army Signals; Military Assistant to Chief of Administration (Army HQ); Military Assistant to Chief of Logistics at Defence HQ and also Military Assistant to Chief of Operations (Defence HQ).
At various times, he was a resource military officer at the United Nations Peacekeeping Center, Koulikoro, Bamako Mali. He also served in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) as a Military observer; thereafter, as Deputy Chief of Staff, HQ Nigerian Army Signals, and finally prior to his retirement, he was the Commander of a Signal Brigade in Mile 2, Lagos.
Col. Onalaja is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, where he earned B.Sc in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He is also a graduate of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) for his Post Graduate Diploma.
At the senior level, he attended National Defence College, Dhaka in Bangladesh and also had his Master of Security Studies (MOSS) at the Bangladesh University of Professionals.
Col. Onalaja is highly decorated with Distinguished Service Star (DSS); Fellow Defence College (fdc); Dagger of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL) [plsc(+)]; Fellow International Institute of Professional Security (FIIPS); Fellow Enterprise Security Risk Management (FESRM); Fellow Nigerian Institute for Industrial Security (FNIIS). He has a Doctoral Award in his honour and also OGS Merit Awardee as Grammarian of Honour of the prestigious CMS Grammar School, his Alma Mater.
Col. Onalaja is a member of Men’s Progress League of the Cathedral Methodist Church, Ago-Iwoye and also a member of ASIS International and Nigeria.
Recently, he was conferred with the award, Knight of John Wesley (KJW) of the Methodist Church of Nigeria in recognition of his service to humanity.
Sir Colonel (Dr) Ademola Onalaja (Rtd), KJW is presently the Managing Director of Proton Security Services Limited, and also the former Senior Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Security and Intelligence.
He is the Lay President of the Methodist Church Nigeria (Ijebu Diocese) and also the ASIWAJU Ijo of the Methodist Cathedral, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. He is happily married and blessed with children and grandchildren.
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment