Owolabi Olakulehin born July 5, 1935 and named Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin is a Nigerian monarch. He is the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan.[1][2]

Oba Owolabi Olakulehin
43rd Olubadan of Ibadan
Reign12 July 2024
Coronation12 July 2024
PredecessorMoshood Olalekan Balogun
Born(1935-07-05)5 July 1935
Ibadan, Southern Region, Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria
HouseBalogun
ReligionChristianity
OccupationIndustrialist

Early life and education

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Owolabi Olakunlehin was born on 5 July 1935 to the family of Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Ope Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi in Okugbaja village,Ita Baale near Akanran in present day Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.[3]

He commenced his primary school education at St James Primary School, Oke Akaran,Islamic School, Odoiye, but eventually finished at St Peter Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan.

After graduating from primary school, Olakulehin taught briefly as a primary school teacher at Wakajaiye in the Akobo area of Ibadan and subsequently gained admission to Yaba Technical Institute for vocational study in printing and artwork.[4]

Career

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In 1959, Owolabi Olakulehin commenced his career at the Ministry of Works, Western Region Government in Ibadan, entering as a third-class clerk. Simultaneously, he gained admission to the Yaba College of Technology to pursue his higher studies where he eventually obtained his Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Building.[5]

In 1970, through a Direct Short Service Commission, he enlisted in the Nigerian Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers. He subsequently undertook diverse roles and assignments throughout the nation, steadily advancing to the rank of Major. During his tenure, he assumed various leadership positions, including that of Commanding Officer of the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna, and Lagos. He retired as a major on October 1,1979.[6]

After retiring from the army, Olakulehin ventured into entrepreneurial ventures, through FAKOL Nigeria Ltd, a construction contracting firm, Olakulehin Press, (later rebranded as Solid Prints) and FAKOL Bakery in the city of Ibadan.[7][8]

Like his predecessor, Owolabi Olakulehin is also a politician as he contested in 1992 and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to represent the Ibadan South East Constituency. While in the house, he served as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Nigerian Army.[9][10]

His journey to becoming the Olubadan of Ibadanland began in 1983 when he emerged the Mogaji of his compound – the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode, Ibadan,till he became the Balogun of Ibadanland (one of the two most senior chiefs in Ibadanland). He was crowned on the 12 July,2024.[11][12]

Personal life

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Owolabi Olakulehin is a Christian and he is married with children.[13]

References

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  1. ^ Ogunwade, Rukiyat (12 July 2024). "Ekiti High Chief Akande felicitates Olakulehin on coronation". Tribune Online. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  2. ^ Jamiu, Basit (13 July 2024). ""Happiness forever": People run into palace joyously to welcome new Olubadan". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  3. ^ Adebayo, Musliudeen (13 May 2024). "Olubadan stool still empty one month after candidate nomination". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  4. ^ Report, Agency (12 July 2024). "Olakulehin becomes 43rd Olubadan". Premium Times Nigeria. NAN. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  5. ^ Adetunji, Yinka (12 July 2024). "A short biography of new Olubadan Oba Owolabi Olakulehin – Ogbomoso Insight". Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  6. ^ Nwaokolo, Sandra (17 March 2024). "5 Interesting facts about Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin". Tribune Online. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Family Releases Olubadan Designate's Profile on Eve of 89th Birthday". lagostoday. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  8. ^ Bilau, Olaolu (15 March 2024). "The next Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin, up close & personal | Western Post". Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  9. ^ Wahab, Bayo (15 March 2024). "Meet Owolabi Olakulehin, the 84-year-old next Olubadan of Ibadan". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  10. ^ Adeola, Ridwan (15 March 2024). "Ex-reps member, 4 other things to know about Olubadan designate, Oba Olakulehin". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  11. ^ Ajisafe, Olayiwola (12 July 2024). "BREAKING: Olakulehin crowned 43rd Olubadan". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  12. ^ Ajibola, Soji (12 July 2024). "JUST IN: Oba Olakulehin gets Staff of Office as 43rd Olubadan". Tribune Online. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  13. ^ Raji, Adebayo (6 May 2024). "Family Pays Royal Homage To Olubadan-Designate – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". Retrieved 14 July 2024.