A short biography of new Olubadan Oba Owolabi Olakulehin
Yinka ADETUNJI
Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin Ige Olakulehin was born on July 5, 1935 in Okugbaja Village, near Akanran in what is now the Ona Ara local government area of Oyo state, Nigeria. His parents were Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Omoyade Owolabi.
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The young Olakulehin started his primary school education at St James Primary School, Oke Akaran. He thereafter transferred to Ibadan where he attended Islamic School, Odoiye, but eventually finished at St Peter Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan.
Shortly after graduating from primary school, Olakulehin taught as a primary school teacher at Wakajaiye in the Akobo area of Ibadan. He subsequently gained admission to Yaba Technical Institute for his secondary school education with vocational study in printing and artwork.
Upon graduation, he commenced his career at the Ministry of Works, Western Region Government in Ibadan in 1959, entering as a third-class clerk. Simultaneously, he gained admission to the esteemed Yaba College of Technology to pursue his studies, eventually attaining his Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Building.
In 1970, he enlisted in the Nigerian Army under the Direct Short Service Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers. Assigned to Benin and Sapele, he operated under the command of General Olusegun Obasanjo. Oba Olakulehin subsequently undertook diverse roles and assignments throughout the nation, steadily advancing to the rank of Major. During his tenure, he assumed various leadership positions, including that of Commanding Officer of the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna, and Lagos. After an illustrious 25-year tenure in the military, he chose to retire as a Major on October 1, 1979.
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After retiring from the army, Olakulehin established and registered FAKOL Nigeria Ltd, a construction contracting firm, which successfully completed numerous projects for private individuals, corporations, and governmental entities, including the Nigerian Army. Additionally, he ventured into various entrepreneurial activities such as owning and managing a thriving printing press (Olakulehin Press, later rebranded as Solid Prints) and founding FAKOL Bakery, renowned for its production, distribution, and supply of Fakol Loaves, Pastries, and other innovative confectioneries in the city of Ibadan.
He ventured into the realm of politics and emerged as a founding member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo state during the Third Republic. In 1992, he secured a seat as a member of the House of Representatives, coinciding with the tenure of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, High Chief Rashidi Yekini, who assumed the role of Senator during the same period. Olakulehin represented the Ibadan South East Constituency and assumed the position of Chairman of the House Committee of the Nigerian Army.
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His journey to the exalted throne of Oubadan began when he emerged the Mogaji of his compound – the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode, Ibadan, in 1983. He resiliently rose through the ranks, climbing through 23 ladders to his coronation as Olubadan today. His appointment as The Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land by Oba Asanike in 1986, put him in line for the throne. The rungs he successfully climbed included Jagun Balogun – Ajia – Bada – Aare Onibon – Gbonnka – Aare Egbe Omo-Oota – Lagunna – Aare Ago – Ayingun – Asaju – Ikolaba – Aare Alasa – Agba Akin – Ekefa – Maye – Abese – Ekaarun Balogun – Ekeerin Balogun – Ashipa Balogun – Osi Balogun – Otun Balogun, Balogun and finally to the zenith.
He famously said when he was made the Migaji, ‘Do we get to the climax?” To which his people answered in the affirmative, “Yes!”
“So, I knew that I would become Olubadan of Ibadanland. Now we are there.”
Though there were concerns regarding his well-being following the passing of his predecessor, Oba Lekan Balogun, on March 14, 2024, he displayed great resilience and determination. As a true warrior, he defied the odds, leading him to confidently proclaim today, “We have finally reached our destination.”
Congratulations! Long may you reign?
