Akure, the capital of Ondo State is known for its academics, industrialists, philanthropists and socialites, the elite and big-time politicians. Expectedly, they are from prominent families, who had, in one way or the other, played significant roles in the development of the state. In this report, City People’s Adeola Shittu unveils 50 prominent families in Akure.
THE ADESIDA
Adesida family is, one of the most popular and long-serving royal families in Akure Kingdom. Members are known for their community development stance and are big time socialites. Among them was the late monarch, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Afunbiowo II, The Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, who was the first Deji of Akure to become Chairman of Obas Council in Ondo State. Also on the list are Prince Adelana Adesida and Hon. Aderin Ademola Adesida a former member of House of Reps.
THE ADAMOLEKUN
Adamolekun family is popular for their scholarship. They are from Iju in Akure North Local government area, Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun, a Nigerian public administrator scholar, and former Dean of the Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University is a prominent member. He was a leading public sector management specialist at the World Bank. He is one of the leading scholars on political and administrative management in Africa.
THE ALADETOYINBO
The Aladetoyinbo is one of the royal families in Akure, incumbent Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II is from the family. It is on record that he brought peace to the land as the community has also witnessed rapid development.
THE ADEDIPE
Another family is the Adedipe from Ilemo in Akure. Members are popular. Members are popular. They are Elemo of Akure kingdom. Most prominent among them was the late High Chief Bolanle Adedipe, who was a legal practitioner and a Property Merchant. Also from the family was the late Barr Alex Adeniyi Adedipe a legal practitioner and a former member of Ondo state House of Assembly, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) is one of the family, Engr. (Dr.) Ademola Adedipe and Erelu Funmilayo Adekamye nee Adedipe among others.
THE ALASOADURA
Senator Tayo Alasoadura is one of the foremost politicians in Ondo State. He has served as a Commissioner for Finance and he was a senator who represented Ondo Central Senatorial Districts in the eight Senate. He is from one of the prominent families at Iju in Akure North local government area.
THE JEGEDE
Jegedes family is from Akure. The current Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Eyitayo Jegede who is a former Chancellor of Anglican Communion of Jalingo, Taraba State, Chancellor of Anglican Diocese of Yola are from the Jegede family. There’s also Tokunbo Jegede a broadcaster, who was the pioneer GM of Orange Fm and Pioneer Governor of District 404A1 Lions Club International
THE FALAE
Another prominent family is the Falae from Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government area. A former secretary to federal government and former presidential candidate, Chief Oluyemi Falae, is a member of the family. The Late Barr. Deji Falae a former commissioner for culture and tourism in Ondo state and Dapo Falae are products of the family. They have played significant roles in the development of the state and Politics and the nation.
THE GBONIGI
The Gbonigi is one of the popular families in Akure. They are very religious and respected in the city. This family has produced a renowned cleric and foremost nationalist, the Rtd. Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, among others.
THE AGUDA
The name Justice Akinnola Aguda rings a bell all-over the country. The family is one of the prominent and respected families in Akure in Ondo State and members have contributed to the growth of the Law profession in Aguda was a Nigerian jurist and a former Chief Justice of Botswana. Prior to his becoming Chief Justice, he was a lawyer and a High Court of Nigeria judge in the defunct Western region of Nigeria. He was the first African to head the position of Chief Justice in Botswana.
THE AKINGBADE
Members are prominent personalities, who have carved a niche for themselves in the society. The family boasts of a former head of marketing, Chief Bola Akingbade, Mr. Akinwale Akingbade a former governorship aspirant among others.
THE FASHORANTI
This family in Akure boasts of Chief Reuben Faseide Fashoranti, an Elder Statesman, academic philanthropist and respected Politician. He is the founder of Omolere Nur/Pry School and St Frances Academy both in Akure. This Afenifere Chairman has really made Ondo State proud.
THE BOROKINI
Borokini is another popular family in Akure. They are very religious and respected. They include the Rt. Revd Simeon Borokini, the Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Hon. Simeon Toluwani Borokini, and House of Assembly lawmaker among others are all from the family.
THE ABEGUNDE
Abegunde is another well know family in Akure, they are very industrious and respected in town. The family has many industrious children. One of them is the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Ondo State, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, aka Abena.
THE OLOWO OKERE
The Olowo Okere is another big family in the sunshine city of Akure. More than one family, however, bear that the name. Their contributions to the growth of the community gives them prominence. A renowned business woman and President of the National Association of Traders & Market Leaders Council of Nigeria (NAMLCN), Chief (Mrs.) Ruth Olowo Okere is a member. A former lawmaker in the House of Reps, Hon Ajisafe Oluwookere, Mr. Bayo Olowo Okere CEO Bayduk Oil & Gas who was a former Chairman IPMAN (Independent Petrol Marketer Association of Nigerian), Dr. Akin Zerubabel Olowo Ookere who is a big player in property business, an entertainer-cum-politician is a member. He was a senatorial candidate on the platform of MPN in the last general elections are among others members of the family.
THE OLUWATERU
Oluwaterus family is one of the popular families in Ondo State. They played big roles in the governance of the state and at the federal level. Members include Otunba Omolade Oluwateru a former Deputy Governor of Ondo state to the Late Gov. Agagu and he was also a former Ambassador to Uganda. He was a senatorial aspirant in the last election.
THE ADEGOROYE
This is another big name that rings a bell in Ondo State mostly in Akure. Members are very popular as the family is prominent in Akure. This family owns the oldest private school in Akure, Adetola Group of Schools. Chief (Mrs) Adegoroye is the matriarch among other accomplished children.
THE OBASUYI
The family is notable and has produced men and women of repute and fame. Among them is the Agbaka of Alagbaka, High Chief Afolabi Obasuyi Chairman/CEO Poinsett Group Nigeria Ltd.
THE AWUDE
Awude is another prominent family from Ilu Abo in Akure North Local Government area. Hon. Dayo Awude former media person of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo is a member. He was a former chief protocol to a former governor, Mimiko, and was later appointed a Board Chairman, Ondo State scholarship board and commissioner for youth, sports and social development. He is a product of the family.
THE FALOYE
Faloye family of Akure is famous. The Late Lawyer, Jaiye Faloye, Venerable Sola Faloye a retired Archdeacon in Akure Diocese among others are products of the family.
THE OMOLAFE
Hon Dayo Omolafe fondly called Expensive is from this prominent family. He is the House of Reps lawmaker representing Akure South/North Federal Constituency. He was a former Chairman Akure South Local Government and former Coordinator of Sure-p.
THE OLUYIDE
Oluyides family is another prominent family in Akure. They are among the high ranking Chiefs in Akure and the family one of the Kingmakers in Akureland. The Ojumu of Akureland, High Chief Ayo Oluyide, Chairman /CEO Rhino Construction & Maritime Company, among others is a son of the family.
THE ADEJUYIGBE
The Adejuyigbe is another big family in Akure and members are popularly called Kekereowo family in Akure. The family is led by the Olori Ebi, Barr. Ayo Adejuyigbe. There are also arch. Jide Adejuyigbe, Kayode Adejuyigbe among others.
THE OLUWATUYI
Talk of one large family in Akure kingdom and the Oluwatuyi’s name would be mentioned. They are from the Ademodi ruling house in Isolo, Akure. The late Osolo of Isolo Kingdom, Oba Kayode Oluwatuyi, who owned the popular Rainbow International motel in Akure, was the 17th king to rule the community. Others are: a former SSA to Gov. Mimmiko and former Commissioner for TECOM, Princess Kemi Oluwatuyi, Regent Adebusola Oluwatuyi, Hon Temitayo Oluwatuyi fondly called Tukana former caretaker Chairman Akure South Local government and Commissioner in Ondo State among others are prominent products of the family.
THE ALARAPON
Alarapon family is another big name in Akure and a former caretaker chairman, Akure South local government who also contested the House of Reps seat to represent Akure South/North federal constituency Hon Bayo Alarapon, is one of the prominent members of this family.
THE JAIYEOBA
Jaiyeoba in Akure has produced one of the frontline industrialists in the city. The most prominent among members of the family is Chief Samuel Olukayode Jaiyeoba, who owns the Olukayode shopping plaza at Ojo Oba, the Akure Computer and Phone Village. He is a former State Chairman of Timber and trader’s organizations. There is also Pastor (Mrs.) Funmi Oshodi, nee Jaiyeoba among others.
THE OLATUNJI-EDDO
The Olatunji-Eddo is one of the prominent families in Akure, Pa Samuel Olatunji Eddo is one of the prominent member of family. Besides, the current High Chief Olu Eddo, the Sasere of Akure Kingdom and Hon. Princess Omowunmi Olatuji Ohwovoriole, the Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs are among others members of the family.
THE OWOYEMI
Members of the family play big in Cocoa business in Akure. Prominent among them is Sunday Owoyemi fondly called Sunny Oowo, the Chairman Sunbeth group of company.
THE OLAJIDE
Hon. David Sunday Olajide, representing Akure South Constituency 2 at the state House of Assembly and a former deputy chief whip of House, is one of the prominent members of this family.
THE OGUNSUYI
The Ogunsuyi family owns the popular Green Parks Motel in Akure and they are one of the big families in the city who have played important roles in the state. Hon. Princess Kemi Adesanya, nee Ogunsuyi, a two-term lawmaker, Barr. Charles Ogunsuyi, the late Bola Davies, nee Ogunsuyi are among others members of this family.
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