Femi OGUNLANA
Today, Friday, May 28, 2021, Ogbomoso is agog in royal rumble as the inimitable Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, JP, CON, CFR, confers honorary chieftaincy titles on nine distinguished personalities as part of programmes marking his 95 years celebration, which came up on Thursday, May 27. The highly revered monarch shares his day with the day children are celebrated all over the world, perhaps that explains the longevity the creator of heavens and earths has granted him – to continue to be young and enjoys the vigour of a child. He has conferred traditional titles on many individuals in the past but the ones being bestowed today is exceptional in that it marks a new dawn in the development of Ogbomosoland like the one he conferred on Chief Sunday Dare as the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland recently. All the honoraries are of Ogbomoso descent and have proved to be lovers of the area based on their past and recent contributions to the kingdom. If the conferment of the chieftaincy titles as stated in their letters of conferment is to rally the descendants of Ogbomoso wherever they are in the world for unity, peace and progress of the land, then, this is half achieved by the caliber of the honoraries, the acclaimed Noble Nine! The new aristocrats in town! The new chiefs are expected to serve as rallying point and stabilizing force for the development of Ogbomoso zone and its people for future gains. It is hoped the titles will strengthen their crusade to propel Ogbomoso and environs to greater greatness.
The new prominent indigenes being drafted into the noble stratum of chieftaincy are Senator Ayoade and Dr Mrs. Fehintola Oluwayemisi Adeseun (Mayegun & Yeye Mayegun of Ogbomosoland); Air Vice Marshall Jacob Bolaji and Mrs. Helen Oluwafunmilayo Adigun (Akogun & Yeye Akogun of Ogbomosoland); and Engr. Mufutau Aremu Open and Alhaja Olayinka Tawakalitu Salawu (Babalaje & Yeye Babalaje of Ogbomosoland).
Others are Dr. Akin Onigbinde (SAN) (Baamofin of Ogbomosoland); Ambassador Akin Oyateru (Gbobaniyi of Ogbomosoland); and Mrs. Rachael Onaolapo Phillips (Majeobaje Iyalode of Ogbomosoland).
Senator Ayoade Adeseun (Mayegun & Yeye Mayegun)
Senator Ayo Adeseun is very well known in the Ogbomoso political circle. He has held many positions in the past with which he initiated a lot of developments in Ogbomoso zone. Notably, he served as member of House of Representatives where he represented Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa federal constituency between 2003 and 2011 and as Senator between 2011 and 2015, during which time he represented Oyo Central Senatorial District. Well educated both in Nigeria and abroad, he leveraged on these offices to facilitate a lot of developments. Notably are establishments of Navy Secondary School, Iresaapa; Federal Polytechnic, Ayede; National Youth Development Centre, Idi-Ayin; National Directorate of Employment Skill Acquisition Centre at Onipaanu; provision of solar street lights and boreholes; stadia; constructions of dams for irrigation purposes; agricultural warehouses; health centres; refurbishing of Owode Police Area Command Headquarters; fencing of Sunsun Police Station; refurbishing of Ogbomoso Grammar School and Federal Government College, Ogbomoso; several industries and electrification projects and massive roads constructions including the abandoned Ogbomoso-Oko-Osogbo road; and several other projects too numerous to mention.
Dr Mrs. Fehintola Oluwayemisi Adeseun on her own is a PhD holder and a university teacher in the USA before returning to Nigeria. She has contributed a lot to the emancipation of humanity with various programmes she is involved in, both in Ogbomoso and Ago-Iwoye in Ogun state, where she hails from. Her footprint is enormous and to be considered for this title, more than being the wife of Mayegun, is more than fitting.
In their contributions, husband and wife have truly been involved in keeping the world rolling in a most straight way. They have paid their dues. The title can only reinvigorate them.
Dr. Akin. Onigbinde, SAN (Bamoofin)
Who better fits the title more than Dr. Akin Onigbinde, SAN! He is the first Bamoofin of Ogbomosoland, it is presumed. Looking at his accomplishments in the field of legal jurisprudence, he has carved a niche for himself. He is the second Senior Advocate of Nigeria to hail from Ogbomoso and the only one alive. A politician, he was once the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and he is a former gubernatorial candidate in Oyo state. As Speaker, he solely established the National Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, now, a national institution.
There is no controversy; the cap fits his pate eloquently. From Ile-Asipa, Masifa, Ogbomoso, he was born in Jos, capital of Plateau state to late Pa Emmanuel Ogundeji Onigbinde and late Madam Maria Bamidele Onigbinde, of Ile Oniporin, Aguodo.
Akin Onigbinde attended Masifa Baptist Day School Ogbomoso, Baptist Day School, Jabata, and Baptist Day School, Surulere, Ilorin. He later proceeded to Igbomina Baptist Grammar School, Isanlu Isin, Kwara state and also attended Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin to earn Cambridge-GCE (Advanced Level).
Dr. Onigbinde obtained BA and MA in English from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State. He earned his LL.B.(Hons), M.Sc.(International Relations), and Ph.D. in International Humanitarian Law, (The Laws of War) from University of Ibadan. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, and was called to the Bar in 1986.
He has a career that spanned Teaching and research in English Studies at St. Clare’s Girl’s College, Offa, Fatima College, Ekanmeje, Kwara State, College of Education, Ilesha, University of Ife, Ile- Ife. He taught Humanitarian Law at Bowen University, Iwo, Osun state. He has served as Faculty and examiner to Chartered Institute of Arbitration, Nigeria.
His professional engagement as a lawyer covers private legal practice as Principal Partner at Akin Onigbinde & Company. He was at some other times Legal Adviser & Company Secretary to National Bank of Nigeria Limited. He worked as part of the pioneer legal and management team that established Global System for Mobile (GSM) in Nigeria through VMobile, present day Airtel.
He re-entered private legal practice later, and in 2015, was elevated to the noble rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
He uses several platforms to contribute to the development of the community, including Ogbomoso Pivotal Club, Ogbomoso Socialite Club, Ogbomoso Community Foundation, among others.
Onigbinde is married, and blessed with adorable children: Olukemi, Tolulope, Ibukun, Akintomiwa and Adedamola.
He is a vast legal practitioner and the title of Bamoofin adequately suits him.
Engr. Muftau Open Salawu and Alhaja Olayinka Tawakalitu Salawu (Babalaje & Yeye Babalaje)
Open Salawu was born to the family of Alhaji and Alhaja Hussain Salawu of Ile Alapa, Isale Ora, in Ogbomoso. Alapa Isale Ora is one of the Alapa ruling families of Okin Apa. He recently made foray into Ogbomoso with his impact being greatly felt in the political circle as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). A philanthropist of note, he is touching many lives. During the tenure of late Abiola Ajimobi, he was appointed as Special Adviser on Works and Transport.
A successful businessman, Open Salawu is the MD/CEO Opinior Engineering Company limited, Principal Partner Opinior Engineering Consulting limited, Director, Open Concrete Works Limited, Director, Open Industrial Development Limited, Vice Chairman, Bintal Travels limited,
Chairman, Destination Luxury Hotel limited, Trustee, 7th Avenue Islamic Centre and President, Open Integration of Learning Foundation (Oil Foundation).
He has worked in a number of organisations both public and private, which includes SMEs and has been part of many start-up businesses as well.
His educational pursuit spanned Model Primary School Bida, St. Clare’s Nursery and Primary School Osogbo, Government College, Bida, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Federal University of Technology Akure, Federal University of Technology Minna and Harvard University USA. Thus, he holds Master Degree in Engineering (Structure), registered with COREN, Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineer (FNSE), member Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), Chartered Institute of Waste Management UK. (CIWM), and Fellow, Nigerian Association of Technologist in Engineering (FNATE).
He is currently being involved in the economic emancipation of Ogbomoso with the planting of 10,000 Ogbomoso mango trees across the 5 local government areas of Ogbomoso, towards establishing mango processing factories in the area in view of the top quality Ogbomoso mango.
He has developed more than 10 Estates and Aid delivery of about 3,500 units of houses across Nigeria.
As Babalaje meanwhile, he needs to do more in Ogbomoso because he is stepping into the shoes left vacant by that industrial giant, late Chief Adebayo Amao a.k.a. Alata, who was the last Babalaje of Ogbomosoland. That he died in 1994 with no replacement since then only speaks of the enormity of the title. Thus, Salawu, an aspirant to the House of Reps has a gargantuan task ahead of him. It is hoped he will replicate the exploits of Adebayo Amao Alata.
He is not new to chieftaincies, he is the Waziri Jari Nupe, Saraki Adini of Ogbomoso but this latest one is magnificent and a huge challenge but those who are close to him attests to the fact that he possesses the apposite loyalty, patriotism and wherewithal to surpass the beloved Alata, who founded many industries in Ogbomoso including a flour mill that employed thousands of people.
His wife Alhaja Olayinka Tawakalitu Salawu as Yeye Babalaje is expected to complement him to make their impact felt in the arduous task so that in a few years, the Open Salawus will be synonymous with the development of Ogbomoso. They need to reproduce their extensive business interests in Ogbomoso. According to Akin Atolugbokun, “Impossibility is vulnerable,” let them leverage on this.
AVM Jacob Bolaji Adigun and Helen Oluwafunmilayo Adigun (Akogun and Yeye Akogun)
Air Vice Marshall Jacob Bolaji Adigun (retired) is being conferred with the title of Akogun and his wife, Helen, as Yeye Akogun. A fitting title to a man whose professional career mimics this title. As a general, nobody deserves the Akogun title better even among a plethora of other military generals from the Land of the Valiant. He just burst on the socio-economic life of Ogbomoso likewise. Service years restrict most men to participate fully in their community affairs. He is currently the chairman of Ogbomoso Descendants Development Association ODDA. ODDA is a new socio-cultural organization inaugurated about two years ago. It is a club of successful Ogbomoso indigenes who are of like minds. The eloquent and convincing way AVM Adigun spoke to the audience at the last AGM of Ogbomoso Parapo Worldwide (December 26, 2021), smacks of a man burning for the progress of Ogbomoso. He assured on many good things he and his colleagues are passionately involved in presently that would translate into development in Ogbomoso zone, and truly some of these are coming to reality such as the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede and the 132 KV power substations at Ajeja/Temidire, Ogbomoso. He is man who has fire in him to burn hands to develop Ogbomoso.
He was born on 2 October 1960 to the family of Pa Samuel and Mama Esther Ayoka Adigun of blessed memories. He hailed from Ile Bara Alase, Masifa, Ogbomoso. He is a member of 28th Regular Course of Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned Pilot Officer in 1983. He rose through the Officer ranks to a two Star General before he retired voluntarily in 2016 after 36 years of meritorious service.
He is married to Chief Mrs. Helen Oluwafunmilayo Adigun and blessed with 7 children.
His hobbies include golfing, travelling and reading. He is a philanthropist.
Ambassador Akin Oyateru (Gbobaniyi of Ogbomosoland)
Ambassador Akin Oyateru is a retired diplomat. His title is significant because his father was the last Gbobaniyi of Ogbomosoland. Thus, he is stepping into a shoe he isn’t unfamiliar with. Within a short time, he has been making his impact felt in the development of Ogbomoso by being a member of several committees saddled with advancing the progress of the city. Recently, he was the anchor of the first pan-Ogbomoso Security Committee and he authored the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting. He was also inaugurated as the chairman of Ogbomoso Vocational & Development Council. He is burning with desire too to fire development in the land.
Akin Oyateru joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria in 1980 and holds a B.Sc. in Political Science and a Masters Degree in International Diplomacy from the Universities of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife and University of Lagos respectively.
Ambassador Oyateru has been deployed to various Departments at the Ministry Headquarters including Protocol, Africa, International Organisations, Policy Planning, Administration, Asia & Pacific and the State House, Abuja among others.
BHe has also served at Nigeria’s various Missions overseas among which are Poland, Austria, Namibia and United Kingdom. An accomplished Diplomat, he has also represented the country at many international conferences.
One time Chief of Protocol of the Foreign Ministry, he has served as the Chief Protocol Officer during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies in 1999, 2003 and that of 2007. He has also handled other protocol assignments involving visiting Heads of State and other Very Important Personalities.
He was one time Director of the Asia & Pacific Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria and Minister/Head of Political Affairs Section of the Nigeria High Commission, London, UK.
Ambassador Oyateru was the immediate past Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya, with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Seychelles. He was also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), UN – Habitat and UN in Nairobi, Kenya.
He retired statutorily from the Foreign Service in 2015, after 35 years of meritorious service. He served as a Lead Consultant, Project Management Office (PMO) Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Nigeria (2017 – 2019) and currently a Consultant in Public and International Affairs as well as a trainer in Protocol Procedures.
VHe is the spokesperson for the newly established Ogbomoso Consultative Council and Executive Chairman, Ogbomoso Vocational and Development Council.
BOyateru is married and blessed with four children. His hobbies include squash, golf, reading, traveling and Arts.
Mrs. Rachael Onaolapo Phillips (Majeobade Iyalode)
Rachael Onaolapo Phillips is a highflying school administrator. She is currently the principal of the premier secondary school in Ogbomosoland – Ogbomoso Grammar School. Her footprints in the school make it undoubted that the title being conferred on her fits her perfectly. The school is currently like a large construction site, with many infrastructural developments ongoing and which mostly came through her ardent and untiring consultations with old students who have no option but to be more involved in turning the page in their alma mater. What of this woman principal always on our neck for positive interventions seems to be the usual lamentations but of course a happy one. She constantly travels and contacts them on phone, appealing and cajoling them. What is under her care she has ensured it is doesn’t go bad in line with her new title – Majeobaje!
Born more than 50 years ago in Cape Coast Ghana to the family of late Pa Daniel Latunde Babalola of Ile Baale Ayegun, Ayegun, Ogbomoso and Mrs. Janet Olalonpe (nee Oke) of Ile Olaosoko, Ita-Olola, Ogbomoso, and the third child of her parents, she attended her primary school between the years 1968 and1973.
For her secondary education, she attended the famous Ogbomoso Grammar School from 1974 to 1979. Later she proceeded to the Oyo State College of Education (now Osun State College of Education) from 1983 to 1986. She furthered up to Adekunle Ajasin State University and bagged a Bachelor of Education – B.Ed. in 2004. She has taught in many secondary schools such as Ogbomoso Baptist High School, Ogbomoso, United Secondary School, Agugu, Ibadan, Renascent Secondary School, Agugu, Ibadan, Oke – Badan High School, Ibadan, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Headquarters, Secretariat, Ibadan (Deputy Director) and TESCOM Zonal Office, Ogbomoso (Director).
Her contribution to the educational advancement of her students is also commendable as she is building a very virile student population.
Married to Mr. Ayodele Phillips and blessed with outstanding children, she has proven to be a self-motivated woman, industrious and enterprising.
