•Profile of the 43rd Olubadan-Designate, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, released to the media today, 4 July, 2024 on the eve of Kabiyesi’s 89th birthday and nine days to his coronation, coming up on 12 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.
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.
Oba Olakulehin later served in various positions and locations across the country. He rose through the ranks to the position of Major. As an officer, he held various positions. These included Commanding Officer of the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna and Lagos. He retired voluntarily from the Nigerian Army as a Major on 1 October, 1979. This followed the completion of a remarkable 25 career in military service.
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.
