OLAKULEYIN CLOCKS 89. PROFILE OF THE OLUBADAN-DESIGNATE
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Olalere Owolabi
Olakulehin, was born on 5 July, 1935.
The current Balogun of Ibadanland was nominated on Friday, April 12, by the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef
Adebimpe at the Olubadan-in-council meeting held at Olubadan Palace, Oja’ba,
Ibadan as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland
The stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following
the death on 14th March of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun who died at
University College Hospital (UCH) at the age of 81.
The Profile of the 43rd Olubadan-Designate, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, was released to the media by Chief Toye Arulogun, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Oyo State on 4th July, 2024.
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Olalere Owolabi
Olakulehin, was born on 5 July, 1935 in Okugbaja Village within the proximity
of Akanran, in the present day Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State to Pa
Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Opo Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi. The
family has its ancestral homestead within the ancient city of Ibadan at
Ita-Baale Olugbode.
Owolabi Olakulehin’s maternal lineage derives from another
ancient and established Ibadan family, the Kusidi Family whose ancestral farmland
is in Kusidi Village Egbeda Local Government Area. Its ancestral homestead is
within the ancient metropolis of Ibadan at Ile Kusidi in Elekuro. The maternal
lineage of his family is also a recognised chieftaincy family in Ibadanland.
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin started his primary school education in the village at St James Primary School, Oke Akaran. He subsequently moved to Ibadan where he attended Islamic School, Odoiye. He later went to St Peter Primary School, Aremo, where he concluded his primary education.
Oba Olakulehin taught as a primary school teacher at
Wakajaiye in Akobo Area of Ibadan before he gained admission to Yaba Technical
Institute for his secondary school education with vocational study in printing
and artwork.
He worked at the Ministry of Works, Western Region
Government in Ibadan from 1959 starting as a third-class clerk. While working,
he gained admission to the Yaba College of Technology to study and obtained his
Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Building Engineering.
Upon completion, he transferred his service to the Nigerian
Army Corp of Engineers. There he was recruited in 1970 through the Direct Short
Service Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in Benin and Sapele under
General Olusegun Obasanjo as his commanding officer.
Upon disengagement from military service, his journey into
the world of business commenced when he founded and incorporated FAKOL Nigeria
Limited. It is a building contracting company which undertook various contracts
for private individuals, corporations and the government, including the
Nigerian Army.
A successful businessman, Oba Olakulehin was also engaged in
various enterprising endeavours. These include the ownership and operation of a
successful printing press (Olakulehin Press, later renamed Solid Prints); the
establishment of FAKOL Bakery which was very famous for the production, distribution
and supply of Fakol Loaves, Pastries and other pioneering confectionaries
within the city of Ibadan.
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin was a founding member of the Social
Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State during the Third Republic. He was elected
as a member of the House of Representatives in 1992. He represented Ibadan
South East Constituency in the Third Republic. He served as Chairman of the
House Committee of the Nigerian Army.
He became Mogaji for the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale
in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area in 1983. He was installed as the
Jaagun Balogun of Ibadan Land by Oba Oloyede Asanke in 1986. He rose through
the ladder. He was elevated in 2006 to the Olubadan-In-Council under Oba Yinusa
Bankole Ogundipe, the 38th Olubadan of Ibadan. He served as the Head of
Traditional Council in various local governments across Ibadan. He represented
the Olubadan-In-Council prior to becoming the Balogun of Ibadan in 2016.
Following the directive of the Olubadan-In-Council, he retired from active politics. He has devoted his time and resources towards the advancement of the interests of the people of Ibadan, Ibadanland and its metropolitan environs.
Oba Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin is a deeply devoted
family man. He is a committed Christian. He is a supporter of the interests of
all the various clans, indigenous families, residents, communities, and
businesses in Ibadanland.
Signed:
Toye Arulogun, former Oyo State Commissioner for
Information, Culture and Tourism.
For: Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin and Family.
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