Until his death on 13th January, 2021, Chief Benjamin Adeniyi Olatise, was an icon, a Nigerian statesman, a career and successful Police Officer who contributed immensely to the development and progress of the Police Service in Nigeria. The son of a Yoruba farmer, he was one of the truly self-made men among his contemporaries. He was buried last week in Aisegba, Ekiti.
Let’s tell you more about him.
Born on August 4th, 1938 in Inisa Quarters, Aisegba Ekiti into the family of Chief Oke John Olatise and Chief (Mrs) Ademiloye Juliana Olatise (Nee Ogunjagri), both of blessed memory.
He started elementary school at Holy Trinity Primary School Aisegba Ekiti. in 1953 and successfully completed his programme with an award of a first school leaving certificate in 1957. After which he proceeded to Doherty Memorial Grammar School Ijero Ekiti from 1958-1962. Following his outstanding performance in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination, he was admitted into Oyemekun Grammar School Akure from 1965-1966 for the Cambridge Higher School Certificate Course (A ‘level).
CAREER TRAJECTORY: FROM GRACE TO GRACE
Chief Benjamin Adeniyi Olatise started his career at Rev. Kuti Memorial Grammar School Abeokuta Ogun State in 1963 as an English and Latin Teacher. He later moved to Irekari Grammar School Ido-Ani Ondo State in 1966 as an English and Further Mathematics Teacher, He was later engaged as an Executive Officer at the Federal Ministry of Trade from 1967-1968. All through his teaching career, Chief Benjamin Adeniyi Olatise exhibited a strong work ethics, best practice, hard work, honesty and total commitment to work.
In 1968, Chief Olatise enlisted to the Police as a Cadet Inspector in training. On completion of Police training at Police College Ikeja in August 1969, he was posted to Ikeja detachment now Area F Ikeja.
Between 1970- 1972, he was attached to Brig. General Benjamin Adekunle Rtd. for the Ports decongestion at Lagos Ports.
In 1973, Chief Olatise was posted to Force Heodquorters Kam Salem House Moloney Lagos to serve as Staff Officer Junior. On assumption of duty at Force Headquarters he was sent to Yorkshire Constabulary Training School Yorkshire, England for nine (9) months training in Administration, Investigation, Police Duties and law.
On arrival from Wakefield England, Chief Olatise was promoted Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and retained at the Force Headquarters where he served in various departments till 1977 when he was promoted Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and posted to Port Harcourt to establish Police Mobile Squadron (MOPOL 19). Between 1977-1981, He was Squadron Commander Mopol 19 Port Harcourt, a position he held till 1981 when he was demobilized and posted to the Central Police Station, Port Harcourt as Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
In 1981, he was promoted Superintendent of Police and posted to Bonny Island, Rivers State as Divisional Police Officer and in 1982, he was transferred to Okirika within the same state as Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
In 1983, Chief Olatise was promoted Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and transferred to Calabar Cross River State. At Calabar, he served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Uyo now the State Capital of Akwa Ibom and Itu Division also in Akwa Ibom State.
Similarly, in July 1984, he was transferred to Yola then Gongola State where he served as DPO Central Police Station Yola metropolis later Song Division. Having excellently served at Song for a short time, he was made the Area Commander, Gembu Mambilla Plateau lung Division, Karim Lamido Division, Bali Division and Jalingo Division now Capital of Taraba State. Towards the end of 1984, he was transferred to Ilorin to head the Police Mobile Force (Mopol 15) Ilorin. While at Ilorin, Chief Olatise participated as a member of Kwara State Robbery and Firearms Tribunal (Adhoc Duty).
In 1987, he was promoted Assistant Commissioner of Police and posted to Ado-Ekiti as the Pioneer Area Commander of Ekiti Division in the defunct Ondo State, a position he held until 1989 when he was posted to Akure, Ondo State as Area Commander. Having served for one year and some months at Akure, he was transferred to Osogbo in Osun State as Assistant Commissioner of Police (Administration).
In 1992, he was promoted Deputy Commissioner of Police and posted to Police College Kaduna as Deputy Commandant. He served as Deputy Commandant Police College Kaduna till early 1985 when he was posted to Bauchi State as Deputy Commissioner of Police of the command. Towards the end of 1996, he was promoted Commissioner of Police and posted to Force C.I.D Alagbon close to head the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad.
The position he held till 1998 when he retired from the service. During his servo e in the Police Force, he was known to be hardworking, forthright, dedicated, loyal, diligent, efficient and effective.
CHRISTIAN LIFE
Daddy was born into a devoted Christian family in 1938 and remained and died a devoted Christian. In line with the Biblical mandate for all Christians to be immersed in water, he was baptized in 1948 at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Aisegba Ekiti and confirmed in 1978 at St’ Paul Anglican Church, Igbara Oke.
Throughout his memorable life he was totally committed to the work of God and actively participated in church activities.
Below is a list of some of the churches he attended and the groups he joined.
(1.) Holy Trinity Anglican Church Aisegba Ekiti – Choir (Member) (2.) Arc Bishop Vining Anglican Church, Ikeja – YMC (Member) (3.) St’ Barnabas Anglican Church Ilorin – MYL (Member) (4.) Emmanuel Cathedral Ang. Church Ado Ekiti. Ibukun Soc. (Mem) (5.) St Michael Anglican Church Kaduna – YMCA (Member) (6.) St Paul Anglican Church Bauchi – YMCA (Member) (7.) St Peter Anglican Church Lagos Island – Member (8.) St Peter Anglican Church Falegan Ado Ekiti – Group 3 (Member)
Having served in different churches and groups across his walk of life, this commitment didn’t go unnoticed as this eventually earned him a chieftaincy title as the Mayegun of Holy Trinity Anglican Church Aisegba Ekiti.
FAMILY LIFE
Chief Benjamin Adeniyi Olatise got married to his heartthrob, Oluwayemisi Celinah Animasaun after seven years of courtship, on September 18, 1966 at Holy Trinity Anglican Church Aisegba Ekiti. In fulfillment of the scripture in Genesis 2:22-24, “He brought her to the man, And Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.’ … Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh”. Daddy and Mummy Olatise were blessed with seven outstanding and Godly children and many grandchildren. They share the same values, the same goals, the same outlook. They worked together to build a strong and united family that made them the desire and envy of the audience that graced their 50th wedding anniversary in October 2016.
Daddy was a committed family man who demonstrated great passion for the unity and peaceful co-existence of each and every member of his nuclear and extended family. He placed great importance on the family as the most stable unit of the larger society and made significant efforts to ensure that his family was properly and adequately catered for.
He brought up his children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and made time for family commitment all through his life. He was a cheerful and generous man.
Mummy recounted their courtship as memorable, indelible, exciting and full f humor as she was treated with respect, dignity, grandeur and honour. They were happily married for 55 years; this has become a good example for us the children and we are very proud of Daddy, father, husband and grandfather.
Daddy was unarguably a gentleman who eschewed evil, upheld the saying “Good name is better than Gold & Silver and demonstrated great values (Reserved, Gentle,
Accommodating, Friendly, Peaceful, Cheerful, Humble and Joyful) that endeared him to all and sundry around· him. Since the announcement of hi transition to Glory, the outpouring of emotions and accolade is a testimony and confirmation f the Bible verse – Proverbs 10: 7 – “The memory of the righteous is a blessing.”
Sleep well in the bosom of your creator and we shall meet again on the day of resurrection! Adieu Baba rere.
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