Hon Mulikat Akande-Adeola at 65: Tribute to an icon

Hon Mulikat Akande-Adeola at 65: Tribute to an icon

Oladayo OGUNLANA

The iconic Hon Mulikat Akande-Adeola turns another year today November 11. I thus join others – family, friends and well wishers – to rejoice with her on this day.

Madam Mulikat Akande-Adeola has led a life of impact, creating an indelible mark. In public and in private life, she remains a unique personality. Principled, focused, she does not suffer fools gladly. She is imbued with knowledge, and her character is sterling.

A woman of keen foresight, she embraces life with ease, whether things work in her favour or not she stands by her precepts and is never embittered or desperate. Whatever comes she takes with equanimity. That is why life is good for her and why she remains relevant.

In politics, in private life, she stands tall, in her world she is the Queen, she rules, she is dominant. But importantly she is at peace with herself. She doesn’t fawn or grovel inappropriately, life is simple for her.

I cherish my acquaintance with her because l am learning a lot from her and this piece is based on personal relationship. She trudges on like a Trojan and at 65, she still has the grace, and is blessed with agility.

Hon Akande-Adeola is like an institution in Ogbomoso nay Oyo state with a fanatical following. In victory in loss she is ever strong, ever undaunted. She has carved a glistening life.

Born on 11 November 1960 of Ogbomoso parents, from Jokodolu compound of Saja area, she grew up in Kaduna, where she attended St. Annes’ Primary School and Queen Amina College. From there, she proceeded to the College of Arts and Science, Zaria for her A levels and thereafter went to Ahmadu Bello University in 1979, where she studied Law and obtained her LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws) in 1982 with second class upper. She went to the Nigeria Law School and was called to bar in 1983. She later went to the University of Lagos for her second degree in Law (Master of Laws (LL.M.)) in 1985.

She worked at the Continental Merchant Bank Plc in 1988 and while at the bank she was deployed to CMB Homes Mortgage Bank Limited as Head of Legal and Administration. She rose to the position of company secretary /legal adviser of the bank. She later founded M.L. Akande & Co. Politics pulled her and she got elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Ogbomoso North, South and Orire Constituency in the year 2007 and was re-elected in 2011. In 2011, she emerged the Majority Leader, as the first woman to do so. She also served as a member of the ECOWAS Parliament from 2007 to 2011.

She reached a position of eminence, she has the Midas touch and that is why her life is remarkable. I pray the Almighty Allah will continue to uphold her. One of the finest women Nigeria ever produced who served her fatherland at the highest pitch without taint, I wish her many more years of health, prosperity and happiness.

Happy birthday, Big Mama!

Ogunlana sends this piece from Abuja.