One of the earliest university graduates to join the Nigerian Military and the first university graduate to govern the old Western State, Brigadier-General Oluwole Rotimi (rtd), turns 90 today.
A gentleman officer and noiseless achiever, General Christopher Oluwole Rotimi made remarkable achievements while he was at the helm of affairs in the Western State.
In addition to creating peaceful atmosphere in the state, he devoted most of his energy on Agriculture and industrialisation.
Born 20 February 1935, in Abeokuta, Rotimi attended Agooko Methodist School, Lisabi School, Olowogbowo Methodist School as well as Kings College Lagos, after which he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the then University College Ibadan.
General Rotimi joined the Nigerian Army in 1960 and served as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He rose to become the first African Deputy Quartermaster General and the third non-white Quartermaster General of the Nigerian Army in 1966.
During the Nigerian Civil War, Oluwole Rotimi provided logistics support for the Federal Government’s war efforts. He became the Commander of the Ibadan Garrison between 1969 and 1970.
After the war, Oluwole Rotimi became the Military Governor of Western State in 1971, under General Yakubu Gowon in succession to Major General Adeyinka Adebayo.
The Cement Factory at Sagamu, the Wire and Cable Factory in Ibadan, the Ceramic Factory in Abeokuta, the Wood Processing Factory in Ondo and the Palm Oil Mill at Okitipupa were some of the landmark projects established by his administration.
In 1975, Oluwole Rotimi was removed from office as governor of Western Nigeria after the 1975 coup d’état. The following administration led by General Murtala Mohammed, commissioned a panel to investigate corruption amongst the immediate past governors of the previous administration. Oluwole Rotimi, together with Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (Lagos State governor) were the only two governors exonerated.
in retirement, General Rotimi was appointed Nigerian Ambassador to the United States by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in succession to Professor George Obiozor
Happy Birthday 🎉 and many happy returns in robust health.
•High Chief Adeniyi, a veteran journalist, is the former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the old Daily Times of Nigeria.
