Etikan kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State has elected a new king. The newly elected Onikan of Etikan kingdom is Oba Oyetakin Adedoyin, a.k.a Oxygen. He was officially elected and recognized as Onikan of Etikan on the 10th of October, 2011 at the Civic center in Igbokoda and was subsequently recommended by the kingmakers council to Ilaje Local Government for final approval by the State government.

Oba Oyetakin Adedoyin hails from Odetugbo in Etikan kingdom. He attended both C & S Primary School, Ogunoyinbo in Ilaje and Ilaje High School after which he proceeded to Delta State University, Abraka where he graduated in 2003 with a degree in Political science.

Before his ascension to the throne as the Onikan of Etikan, he was the Chairman of Oil Producing Communities in Ilaje Local Government. Oba Oyetakin said his tenure at the oil producing community would be remembered for the development that he attracted to his area and how he had used his influence to ensure that the oil companies bring development to the Oil Communities of Ilaje. He said he standardized education and skill acquisition in the area in partnership with the Kabiesi of Ugbo kingdom and other Obas. Oba Oyetakin hopes to ensure the transformation of the traditional institution in Ilaje kingdom.

“As at now, 12 people from the Etikan community are already in the employ of CHEVRON and fifteen other names of my people have been submitted to their headquarters for employment”, the new Onikan of Etikan said. He also stressed that he had began to work towards presenting the major challenges of his people to both OSOPADEC and NDDC.

“Our present challenges are light road, health center and major market facility none of which is in existence in Etikan and we are beginning to send representation to the two interventionist agencies of OSOPADEC and NDDC to promptly come to our aid”, Oba Oyetakin maintained.

The new Onikan elect has this to say about Dr. Mimiko’s government, “right now I commend Mr. Governor for all he has been able to do for us in Ilaje and Ondo State, vis a vis the mother and child hospitals throughout the state, the largest market in the state at Igbokoda, the modern stadium being constructed at Ugbo nla, the Idiogba and Ilepete dredging among other on going projects. I have the perfect understanding that there is no opposition in Ilaje Local Government to Gov. Mimiko’s government. Our people should vote for Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to allow his good work to continue. Also our people should embrace peace and when it is time for election, they should vote Dr. Mimiko for him to continue with his good and timely projects,” Oyetakin emphasized.

Professor Tolu Odugbemi, OON, NNOM, FAS was born at Ado-Ekiti on 30th January 1945.  His parents hail from Oke-Igbo in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government of Ondo State, Nigeria.  After a brilliant primary and secondary school career, he enrolled in the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos to read Medicine during which he registered as a Pioneer Student of Microbiology. He emerged with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in the Second Class Upper Division in 1970.  He combined this with his studies as a Medical Student and completed the MB,BS Degree in 1972 also at the University of Lagos. Professor Odugbemi remained focused in his field of choice, study and research.  He is a Microbiologist par excellence.

Early in his career, he obtained a Diploma in Bacteriology from the University of Toronto Canada (1976).  Fired by his desire for excellence in research, he presented another thesis titled “Observation on some factors that Influence in-vitro antimicrobic susceptibility testing of common bacteria pathogens” to the University of Lagos for which he received the Doctor of Medicine (M.D) degree in 1982.  Professor Odugbemi studied at the prestigious University of Sheffield, 1976-1978 and his research studies on the “Pathogenicity of Gonococci” produced the thesis which earned him a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D) of the University (1978).
Through sheer academic brilliance, he published extensively in national and international Journals and Articles of excellent research in Microbiology and other areas. Professor Odugbemi’s publications number over 200 (two hundred) in all and he is still publishing.
He rose by leaps and bounds and attained professorship in 1983-barely 11 years after his MB,BS degree.  He was foundation Professor and Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin 1983-1985. Following this, he returned to University of Lagos as Professor and Head Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine for several years.  At various periods of his career Prof. Odugbemi has served as:

(a) Honorary Lecturer, Department of Medical Microbiology,

University of Sheffield, UK, 1976-1978.

(b) Guest Researcher, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Research Laboratory, Center for Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1981-1982.
Honorary Consultant Microbiologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital since 1976 to date.

He became College Dean, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and subsequently College Provost, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL) and Member Governing Council, University of Lagos January 1977- December, 2000.  In January 2002, he was elected President/Chairman of Governing Board of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria; the apex medical and dental training institution in Nigeria. He also served as a Member of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, 2002-2003.
Professor Odugbemi was Founder and Coordinating Editor, Nigeria Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences. He had previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine and as Editorial consultant to other medical journals.
This Medical Scholar is a member of several professional bodies including:

1. Nigerian Medical Association.
2. American Society for Microbiology.
3. Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
4. Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
5. New York Academy of Science
6. Nigerian Venereal Diseases Association.
7. Nigerian Infection Control Association, among others.

He is a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Science. His most recent publication is a new book titled” Outline and Picture of Medicinal Plants from Nigeria”, is a classic.  This two hundred and eighty two page book contains very clear colour pictures of 382 Nigeria Medicinal plants.  He identifies each plant by botanical (scientific) and local names.  The specific medical uses and parts of the different plants used were given.  The book is a very valuable resource for researchers, traditional (alternate) and interested orthodox medical Doctors, inside and outside Nigeria.  The book is a welcome development and very topical.
He is also the Editor of another major work, “A textbook of Medicinal Plants from Nigeria”. Visit the website: www.medicinalplantsinnigeria.com.

Whereas, this scholar and gentleman’s academic and professional achievements cannot be fully recited, he remains a very humble person.  He was honoured as THE ALATUNSE OF OKEIGBO, ONDO STATE, FIWAJOYE OF OKE AYEDUN and GBEKONIYI OF ONDO KINGDOM by his own people. 

Professor Tolu Odugbemi is a medical microbiologist and parasitologist of international repute and a seasoned administrator. He is a prolific scholar who carried out several in-depth, innovative and pioneering research studies on sexually transmitted diseases.  Specifically, his research efforts included gonococcal, staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, antimicrobial  resistance, meningitis and Laboratory diagnostic techniques.
Professor Tolu Odugbemi has made many land mark contributions to medical profession and humanity through his outstanding research findings. He developed a cost-effective starch paper technique for the detection of penicillinase - producing Neisseria gonorrhea among many other diagnostic tests he published. He also described a pink-pigmented bacterium in clinical blood specimen (1989) that could become a threatening pathogen in future. He even ventured into studying microbial contaminants in local food items like gari.
He was honoured with the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) and Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) on 6th December, 2007 and 14th February, 2008 respectively. These honours were conferred by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On 21st July, 2011, he was conferred with an Hon. D.Sc degree by the University of Sheffield, UK, his prestigious alma mater. He was awarded the Distinguished Fellow of the Medical College (DFMC) on 15th September, 2011 by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

He is the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and he was appointed Vice-Chancellor, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, (OSUSTECH) Okitipupa, Nigeria.
Professor Odugbemi is happily married and is blessed with children and grandchildren.

Hon. Banji Okunomo was born some years ago at Ode-Etikan in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State to the Christian family of High Chief John Morayo Okunomo of blessed and Mrs. Janet Okunomo who is still hale and hearty.

Until the death of his caring father, he was a very successful business man that worked in so many states of the country while the mother still remain a successful trader.

Hon. Banji Okunomo attended St. Luke Ang. Pry School, Ode-Etikan where he obtained his primary six Leaving Certificate in 1987. He proceed to obtain his Secondary School Education at the Community Grammar School, Zion Pepe. He bagged his Bachelor of Technology (Bio-Chemistry)at the prestigious Federal University he served the student Union Government in the Capacity of student parliament Representatives.

Hon. Banji Okunomo also worked as Assist Manger/Environmenal Protection and control, Ondo State of Niger Delta Development Commission from 2004-2011. He was also the P.R.O of workers Union in NDDC before his appointment as Chairman Caretaker Committee, Ilaje Local Government Area on 29^th August, 2011 by the Executives Governor of Ondo State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

He was penciled down for this appointment as a result of his unprecedented performance while in office as a career civil servant coupled with his brilliant and unequal disposition to the development of his people and the land.

During his short stay in office he has achieved so much in his people. These achievements include the following:

-         Regular payment of staff salaries and leave bonus

-         Formation of Ilaje Neighbourhood Security Watch at Igbokoda

-         Distribution of Tr-Cycle to employed Youths in the 12 political wards of the Local Government Area

-         Distribution of treated mosquito nets to pregnant women and people of Ilaje Local Government

-         Construction of Ultra Modern Civic Center at Ode-Etikan

-         Construction of 2km Secretariat/College road in Igbokoda

-         Payment of book allowance to Ilaje Students in tertiary institutions of learning

-         Construction of Ultra Modern Motor Park for the NURTW Ilaje Local Government Chapter

-         Distribution of life jackets to Okada riders in Ilaje Local Government

-         Construction of Fish farm gate for Ilaje Fish Sellers in Igbokoda.

-         Renovation of Ilaje Local Government Secretariat building

-         Construction of foot bridges in various communities of Ilaje Local Government Area.

Hon. Banji Okunomo is happily married to Mrs. Olayinka Okunomo and blessed with God fearing children. He loves reading Novels, Playing chess and scrambles at his leisure time. He is an easy going person who does not have delight in the suffering of his people including his workers. He is easily accessible and run an open door administration.

Born in Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Prince Joseph Oluyemi Bajowa was born to the Lubokun Royal Family of Oduduwa Ancestry of Yoruba Kingdom of Nigeria on 27th December 1940. A retired but not tired Nigerian Army General who have served his country both national and international capacity. Prince (Gen) Oluyemi Bajowa is a recipient of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) and the Force Service Star (FSS).

Academics

• Primary Education at Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.
• Secondary Education at Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, Iju-odo, Okitipua Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.
• Gboluji Anglican Grammar School, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria.
• Tertiary Education at Federal School of Science, Lagos, Nigeria.
• University Education at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and graduated in Business Administration and awarded B.sc (Hons), Second Class Upper Division, in 1988.
• Awarded Doctor of Theology by the Theological Seminary, Durban, South Africa, in London on the 29th of October 2005, in associate with Trinity University and College, Delaware, USA.
• Currently Enrolled for Bachelor of Law Degree (external Programme) University of London, England.

Achievements

Charity and Humanitarian works

• “President (Aare)” of Igbotako Anglican Archdeaconry
• “Supreme Elder (Baba Ijo)” of St Stephens Anglican Church Igbotako.
• Construction and Donation of Community Chapel to St Josephs Anglican Church, Igbotako, Ondo State.
• Construction and Donation of fully equipped and Ultra - Modern Library for Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, Iju-Odo, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria (my “Alma Mater”).
• Founder and Patron of “The Ikale Youth Elite Club” (TIYEC) for award of Scholarships to indigent Secondary School Students in Okitipupa Local Government Area, and promote Sporting Activities among the Youths of Ikale, Ilaje and Ijaw-Apoi areas covering the defunct Okitipupa Division of western Nigeria.
• Founder and Patron of “Friendly Sisters Fellowship” at Ibadan, Nigeria for humanitarian activities targeting the aged, the sick and handicapped persons in the Society.
• Member and Liaison Officer of the London Refugee Rehabilitation Organisation with operational base in all boroughs in the United Kingdom.
• Member and Secretary General, Human Rights Concern International, Headquarters at HI TECH HOUSE, 18 Beresford Avenue, Middlesex, HA0 1YP, United Kingdom.

International Appointments

• Chairman, Programmes and Budget Committee (PBC) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Vienna, Austria (1993 – 1997).
• Member of the Board of Governors of International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Bio-Technology (ICGEB) in Trieste, Italy (1997-1999).
• Member, Board of Directors, International Foundation of Science (IFS), Stockholm, Sweden (1997 – 1999).

Civil Service Appointments

• 1960: - 3rd Class Clerk, Federal Ministry of Survey in Lagos – Nigeria .
• 1960: - 3rd Class Clerk in the Federal Houses of Parliament, Lagos – Nigeria .
• 1988: - Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nigeria Airways, Limited.
• 1989: - Sole Administration and Member of the Presidential Task Force, Nigeria Airways Limited.
• 1989: - Senior Principal Officer, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Lagos – Nigeria.
• 1989: - Special Assistant in the Presidency, Lagos, Nigeria.
• 1989/1990: - Coordinator, Movement of Federal Ministries and Seat of government from Lagos to Abuja, Nigeria.
• 1990 - 1993: - Director – General and Deputy Minister of Defence.
• 1993 - 1997: -Director – General/Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Industry.
• 1997 - 1999: - Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
• 1999: - Retired from the Public Service of Nigeria in March.

Civil Service Appointments

• 1960: - 3rd Class Clerk, Federal Ministry of Survey in Lagos – Nigeria .
• 1960: - 3rd Class Clerk in the Federal Houses of Parliament, Lagos – Nigeria .
• 1988: - Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nigeria Airways, Limited.
• 1989: - Sole Administration and Member of the Presidential Task Force, Nigeria Airways Limited.
• 1989: - Senior Principal Officer, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Lagos – Nigeria.
• 1989: - Special Assistant in the Presidency, Lagos, Nigeria.
• 1989/1990: - Coordinator, Movement of Federal Ministries and Seat of government from Lagos to Abuja, Nigeria.
• 1990 - 1993: - Director – General and Deputy Minister of Defence.
• 1993 - 1997: -Director – General/Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Industry.
• 1997 - 1999: - Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
• 1999: - Retired from the Public Service of Nigeria in March.

Life in Nigerian Military

Military Training

• Enlisted into the Nigerian Army for Cadet Training in September 1960 at Nigerian Military College (now Nigerian Defence Academy) Kaduna, Nigeria.
• Cadet Training and Commissioned at Mons Officers’ Cadet School, Aldershot, England in 1961.
• Attended Small Arms and Signals Course, Hythe, England.
• Attended Platoon Commanders’ Course at School of Infantry, Warminster, England.
• Graduate of British Army Staff College, Camberley, Surrey, England, and awarded “psc” in 1970.
• Graduate of National Defence College, New Delhi, India, and awarded “Ndc” in 1980.
• Retired from the Nigerian Army as a General in April 1980

Military Appointments

• Infantry Platoon Commander.
• Military Transport Officer (MTO).
• Infantry Company Commander. General Staff Officer Grade III, Army Headquarters, Ministry of Defence.
• General Staff Officer Grade II, Army Headquarters, Ministry of Defence.
• General Staff Officer Grade I, of 3 Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army, Calabar. 11 Infantry Battalion Commander (1966 – 1967).
• Commandant, Army Training Depot (1967 – 1969). Colonel General Staff Officer (1971 – 1972).
• 13 Infantry Brigade Commander (1973 – 1974).
• General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army (1971).
• Adjutant General, Nigerian Army, Ministry of Defence (MOD) (1975 – 1976).
• Quarter Master General, Nigerian Army, Ministry of Defence (MOD) (1976 – 1978).
• Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji – Nigeria (1978-1979).

Military Operations

• Took Part in the United Nations Operations (UNO) in Congo, now Zaire, (1963 – 1964).
• Served during the “Cold War” with the Royal Ulster Rifles in Iserlone, and The Green Howards in Wuppertal, both of the British Army in Rhine of defunct Western Germany, (1962/1963).
• Took part in different capacities during the Nigerian Civil War (1967 – 1970).

Political Appointments

• Military Member of the Executive Council of Western Region of Nigeria (1967 – 1969).
• Military Member of the Executive Council of South-Eastern State of Nigeria (now Cross River and Akwa Ibom States).
• Acting Military Governor of South-Eastern State of Nigeria (1973).
• Acting Military Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria (now Rivers State and Bayelsa State) (1974).
• Member of the Governing Council of Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria (1981-1982).
• Chairman Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Benin City (1983).
• National Party of Nigeria (NPN) Gubernatorial Contestant for Ondo State of Nigeria (1983).
• Chairman, African Regional Centre for Engineering Design and Manufacturing (ARCEDEM) (1993 – 1997).
• Chairman, Nigerian Development Bank (NIDB) (1993 – 1997).
• Chairman, Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry (NBCI) (1993 – 1997). Chairman, Nigerian Sugar Companies (1993 – 1997). Chairman, Nigerian Paper Mills (1993 -1997).
• Chairman, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) (1993 – 1997).
• Chairman, Nigerian Automobile Assembly Plants (1993 – 1997).
• Chairman, of all the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Research Institutes in the Federation of Nigeria (1997 – 1999).

My Family

Prince (Gen) Joseph Oluyemi Bajowa is a happy family man married with Children, to

• Chief (Mrs) Loretta Aduke Bajowa, the Iye-Oba of Osooro Land (Nee: Williamson of Calabar in Cross – Rivers State of Nigeria); and
• Princess (Mrs) Francisca Oluyemi Bajowa (Nee: Ayelomi, His Royal Majesty of Ayeka, Okitipupa in Ondo State of Nigeria).