Birthdays
ADETONA, Oba Sikiru Olukayode, traditional ruler and Awujale of Ijebuland will be 87 tomorrow,
May 10, 2021. Born into the family of Anikilaya Ogbagba Royal family of Ijebu Ode, on May 10, 1934, his father was Prince Rufai Afetona, while his mother was Alhaja Ajibabi Adetona ( nee Onashile). He was educated at the Baptist School, Ereko, Ijebu- Ode; Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo, Ijebu- Ode; Ansar- Ud- Deen School, IjebuOde; and Olu- Iwa ( now Adeola Odutola) College,
Ijebu- Ode, between 1951 and 1956.
He took up an appointment with the then Audit Department of the Western Region, Ibadan between 1957 and
1958 and later resigned in 1958 to pursue further studies in Accountancy in the United Kingdom.
He was appointed Awujale of Ijebuland on January 4, 1960. S
HONEKAN, Ernest Adekunle Oladeinde, lawyer, politician, industrialist and administrator clocks 85 today. Born on May 9, 1936 in Lagos, he was educated at C. M. S Grammar School,
Lagos.
He also attended and received a law degree from the University of London and was later called to bar.
He soon joined the United African Company of Nigeria ( UAC) in 1964 and was sent to the Harvard Business School for further managerial training. At U. A. C, he pursued a legal path, and few years after joining the company; he was promoted to the position of assistant legal adviser. He became a deputy adviser two years later, and soon joined the board.
In 1980, he was made Chairman and Chief Executive of U. A. C; he was Chief Executive of the largest African controlled company in Sub- Saharan Africa.
In January 1993, he was made head of the transitional council that was to bring about a return to civilian government. In August 1993, following a crisis in which President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangidaannulled the results of the June 12 presidential election, Shonekan was installed as interim head of state.
In November 1993, General Sani Abacha seized power. During his short time in office, Shonekan tried to bring down inflation and promote accountability in government and the private sector.
He holds the traditional title of Abese of Egbaland.
AKINLAGUN, Samuel Okunola, educationist and philanthropist will be 84 on Saturday,
May 15, 2021. Born on May 15, 1937, he was educated at Ereko Methodist School, Lagos, 194555; C. M. S Grammar School, Lagos, 1956- 60 and St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, 1961- 62. He also attended and received a degree in Botany from the University of Lagos, 1965- 69; and later a Post Graduate Diploma in Education ( PGDE) from the University College, Ibadan ( now University of Ibadan), 1974- 75 and Advance Management Certificate ( AMC) from the Administrative Staff
College ( ASCON), in 1991. He worked at the Federal School of Arts & Science as Lecturer, between 1969 and 1978, St Timothy’s College, Onike, Yaba, Government College, Eric Moore, Government Teacher’s College, Epe, Schools Management Board, Ikeja, Awori College, Ojo, Eti- Osa Local Government Education District as Assistant Director of Education and TESCOM Zonal office, Badagry as Director of Education, among others.
He rose to the level of Director of Education in the office of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor from 2000 to May 2002, from where he retired. He attended series of top management courses such as the challenges of Educational Management, Workshop on implementation for Strategies for 6- 3- 3- 4 system of Education and others.
He received accolades for his contribution to the education sector such as Best Principal Award, Pillar of Excellence by Institute of Human and Natural Resources, and National Quality Education Award, among others.
He holds the traditional titles of Otun Balogun Ijo of the United African Methodist Church, Badagr y, Jagunmolu of Youth Christian Association, St. Michael’s Church, Epe and Jagunmolu of Idumota, Lagos Island.
EKWEREMADU, Ike, politician, lawyer and former Deputy Senate President will be 59 on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Born on May 12, 1962, he has served in the Senate since May 2003. He was the Deputy Senate President for three consecutive terms.
He holds both Bachelors and master’s degree in Law from the University of Nigeria, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987. He also holds Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Law from the University of Abuja, Nigeria. In 2002, Ekweremadu was appointed Secretary to the Enugu State Government, before then he was Chairman of Aninri in 1997 and won the Best Local Government Chairman Award in Enugu State at the time. He was appointed the Chief of Staff to the Enugu State Government House.
On April 12, 2003 he was elected to the Senate. Ekweremadu was returned in the April 29 2007 National Assembly election, and elected to the position of deputy senate president. Ekweremadu was reelected as Senator for Enugu West in the April 2011 elections. On February 23, 2019, he was reelected to the senate for the fifth consecutive time. On June 11, 2019, he lost his bid to become Deputy Senate President of the 9th Senate. Ekweremadu contested against Ovie OmoAgegewho scored 68 votes to emerge Winner. Ekweremadu has indicated he will retire from the Senate by not running for office in 2023.