Honour is Thy Name, Adeleke Dynasty of Ede

You may not find him on the Forbes list, but to those who know, Adedeji Adeleke is a phenomenon, who cannot be pushed over by the waves of the hand. Perhaps, this noble attributes of his, has enabled him to enjoy peace of mind and total concentration, whi

The Raji Ayoola Adeleke dynasty of Edeland, has come a long way in the political, economic and social transformation of Ede and its environ and indeed the Country – Nigeria. The famous family is of noble heritage in all sense of it. The patriarch’s mother, Late Madam Adeboyin of Onilegogoro’s compound, was one of the outstanding IYALODES, that Ede ever produced. Vibrant and effervescent. Late Madam Adeboyin brought great improvement in the commence of Ede, particularly among the womenfolks.

Her great late illustrious son, Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke was an achiever by his own right. A unionist of note. An astute politician of the first republic, whose towering image and political sagacity, saw him emerging as the Balogun of Edeland and following in that realm, was his election as a distinguished Senator of Nigeria (1979 – 1983).

Late Papa Raji Ayoola Adeleke, passion for service knows no bound. He brought forth, though in a polygamous setting, amiable, adorable and God fearing children, who have contributed in no small measure, in their own different callings to the general development of humanity. None of Late Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke’s children is a push – over. They have all given a good account of themselves with honour, integrity and patriotic zeal that nobody could fault. Distinguishably, some of Late Papa Raji Ayoola Adeleke are today world stars. Diamonds, shining forever. An epitome of hardwork, Spartan discipline and superstars. They enjoy the grace of God, coupled with resilience and total commitment to the pursuits of their goals.

Captain Adekunle Adeleke made his enviable marks as an Officer and Gentleman of the Nigerian Army. The eminent womenfolks in the family, have proved their mettles. They are all amazons, women of virtue and substance in their own right. The president of the dynasty today, is Dr. Ademola Adeleke, who is also giving a good account of himself in his business callings. The Asiwaju of Edeland, Otunba of Ejigbo and the first executive governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Alani Adeleke and a super eminent, renowned and world class business guru, Dr. Tajudeen Adedeji Adeleke, reality comes to mind. The duo has done the eminent Adeleke dynasty of Ede, a world of good. What could be more satisfying to worthy parents, that during their lifetime, their own children became octopus in their services to humanity. Senator Isiaka Adeleke cemented the enviable political career of his late father, who was a star among stars in the defunct Action Group of the old.

Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, remains a central issue and reference point in Nigerian politics, as he was a governor in 1992, when majority of those at one political offices today are just emerging or learning the political rope. A cheerful and charismatic politician of no mean repute. He is a croud puller anyday. Never getting tired of giving and giving to the society without discrimination.

Dr. Tajudeen Adedeji Adeleke, needs no introduction. He is the pillar of strength behind the business empire of the family. At the instance of his late father, he established the first vast poultry farm in Ede, along the old Alajue road. That singular effort, known as Pacific farm, gave gainful jobs to tens of people in Ede community in the early 80s. The indegifatible Dr. tajudeen Adedeji Adeleke, outside his Ede community, became an employer of labour in bore – hole drilling, banking and energy and lately the establishment of a world – class University, ADELEKE UNIVERSITY, EDE in memory of their late father, Papa Raji Ayoola Adeleke. Before this, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke in conjunction with Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, established a woven sack and rubber factories at the temporary site of the family university. Those ventures, whilst they lasted, improved on the economic fortunes of Ede community.

Chairman, as Dr. Adedeji Adeleke is fondly called by his close associates is a silent achiever, who unlike some money-miss-road businessmen, does not unnecessarily attract public attention to himself. He goes about his duties splendidly, carrying himself with dignity and honour. Hardly, can you find him granting press interviews or attracting the television kleig light to himself, like some of our boisterous and brief – case industrialists, who have no honour to their names are used to.

You may not find him on the Forbes list, but to those who know, Adedeji Adeleke is a phenomenon, who cannot be pushed over by the waves of the hand. Perhaps, this noble attributes of his, has enabled him to enjoy peace of mind and total concentration, while serving humanity. By all standards, he is eminently qualified for recognition as Grand Commander Order of the Niger (GCON). But does he care?

To him, that is not a big deal, since he is an acclaimed Grand Commander of the Order of ordinary Nigerians, majority of whom have tremendously benefited from his large – heartedness and silent philanthropy, through his SPRINGTIME FOUNDATION, under the headship of his childhood friend, Dr.Babarinde. A case in point, that readily comes to mind, is the offer of scholarship awards to so many stu- dents of his university, to enable them enjoy quality education, though they are indigents.

Just like Late Papa Raji Ayoola Adeleke, produced the likes of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, the family has also come up with grandchildren of worthy characters, raised in the way of truth, honesty, integrity and fear of God. One of such grandchildren of Late Papa Raji Ayoola Adeleke, is David Adeleke, a.k.a Davido, the rave of the moment, an hip-hop superstar, on whose feet, world Presidents and Heads of States are falling over themselves to honour. This is one star from Ede, Osun State, Nigeria and indeed Africa, who had done the Adeleke family proud at a tender age, no matter what his detractors may want to say, David Adeleke (Davido), remains focussed in making a success of his talent in the music world, without hazzles.

This ‘beautiful’ boy of Late Dr. Veronica Imade Adeleke of blessed memory, has done her mother and father proud. He has never allowed success to go into his head. Despite his father’s fabulous wealth, painstakingly and honestly acquired over the years, he went out of his own way to carve a niche for himself sterlingly, just like his father. To the glory of God Almighty, since Dr. Tajudeen Adedeji Adeleke went into the business world, he has never attracted any controversy in the least to himself. He has never been involved in any scandal or any shady deals. There is nothing therefore, that anybody could put at his door steps to give him a bad publicity. None whatsoever.

David Adeleke (Davido), you have proved beyond any reasonable doubt, that you are a product of hardwork and straight forwardness, that is the hallmark of the great Adeleke dynasty of Ede. You should not look back, no matter the temporary storm in the tea cup, which has by God’s grace has been resolved, as there was no victor nor vanquished. You are the only one, under the grace of God and unrelenting guidance of your father, that could determine the way forward for yourself, without being intimidated or dictated to by anybody, outside your family.

I am sure your Late mother of blessed memory, Dr. Veronica Imade Adeleke, who was also a caring, loving and affectionate mother to your father’s other children, whilst she lived, will be full of smiles in her grave, that you have indeed, done her proud. Our own Queen of the heart, our own Mother Theresa, that goes by the name, Dr. Veronica Imade Adeleke, your son David, is a shining star and giving your sweet memories all the goodness that it deserves. Wonderful wife of Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, there is none that can take your place in the heart of the Chairman.

Let whoever, may want to create disaffection, illwind and disharmony in the robust Adeleke dynasty, have a re-think and leave the family alone to continue its humble services to humanity. The family is well knit, progressive, peaceful and a foremost one in the annal of history of Nigeria. Therefore, nobody should throw the Adeleke dynasty into disarray for whatever reason. The other names of the family, are honour and integrity, painstakingly built over the years without been boisterous about it.

The Adeleke dynasty of Ede, is a veritable organ of conducting honest businesses and impacting positively on the lives of the people, without discrimination. Dr. Adedeji Adeleke personifies brain and brawn, for whom, 24hours are not enough in the execution and realization of the ideals of his high callings. He is pragmatic and thorough, with eyes for details.

For Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, Davido and indeed the Adeleke dynasty, joy radiates round you all. Carry on with your life as if nothing untoward has happened of recent. The just has nothing to fear. As you have been doing in the past, the family should continue to make God the pillars of their strength. No weapon fashioned against it shall prosper. To God be the glory.

––Lawal wrote from Ede, Osun State.