Chief Tajudeen A. Bankole Oki as the second Alaagba of Lagos, a vacancy stiold which had existed for nearly 300 years which Allagba of Lagos among Hieranchy of Lagos is being filled. Prince Bankole Oki was belong to Sokun Royal of Lagos.
Prince Shokun who was the junior brother to Oba Ologun-kutere the 5th Oba of Lagos, who reign between 1749 and 1775 and Chief Fakorede was the first to be honoured with Chieftaincy in Lagos and later granted with an IGA at Idumota, by Oba Akinsemoyin. Prince Shokun the Ogboni lduntafa of Lagos (now known as Onilegbale of Lagos. Prince Sokun had fifteen children his first child Prince Oduntan who had only one daughter Princess Aina Omotola. Aina got married to Buraimoh Ajao, of the family of Oba Eleyinpo of Ipapo, Princess gave birth to Abibu Oki, who later become Balogun of Lagos (1919-1935).
Prince Tajudeen Bankole Oki was born on the 15th of November, 1919 as the eighth son of Prince Abibu Oki. His mother she was from eminent Shonibare Family of lsale-Gangan, Lagos. Prince Tajudeen Bankole Oki, the second Alaagba of Lagos (Baba Oba) had his elementary education at Wesley (now Methodist) Tinubu Grammar School, Lagos. At School, Prince Bankole Oki Scout and set the unprecedented record of becoming Army Master (1st Lagos Troop) in 1932 while still a Form devoted Sportman, Prince Bankole Oki become Captain in his last year’s at the Grammar School. In 1938 and 1939, Prince Oki retained the One Mile Race at the Grier Cup Competition s.
Prince Bankole Oki joined the Marine a Nigerian Civil Service in 1940 from where he was met others, viz: Chief Abiodun Akerele, (the Balogun Oyo) a well known Social Circle, Late C.A.J. Speaker of the Western Region and the late Solanke to the British Royal Air Force in 1942. He studied at first at Air Pilot in Training and later Agitor and Wireless Creator.
After demobilisation from the Royal Air Force in 1947, Prince Bankole Oki joined the Honourable Society of Lincoin’s In (London) in 1948 and was called to the English Bar in November, 1950. He returned to Nigeria in 1951 and rejoined the Nigerian Government as Pupil Crown Counsel early in 1952. He served in Lagos, the Old Western Region (including the old Bendel State).
For thirty five years, Prince Bankole Oki had a brilliant career in the Public Service in Nigeria and held many legal appointment the last five of which were:-
(a) Lt. Cool. in the Royal Nigeria Army and Legal Adviser to the United Nations Force in Congo, LEOPONLLE (Now Kinshasa) 1960-1981.
(b) Legal Adviser, Military of defence, 1962-1964.
(C) Director of Public Prosecutions (Western Region/State) 1964-1967.
(d) Boundary Settlement Commissioner Western Region/State 1967-1970.
(e) Attorney-General, Lagos State,. 1970-1973 and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, 1973-1975.
As Lt. Col. in Royal Nigeria Army, Prince Bankole Oki was commissioned in September, 1960 and thus enjoyed the privilege with the former Head of State, Late General Aguyi-Ironsi of being one of the two most senior Nigeria Officers in the Royal Nigerian Army as at the date of his commission.
In January 1955, as Director of Public Prosecutions, Western Region, Prince Bankole Oki was conferred with the National Award, OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (O.O.N) by the Tafawa Balewa Government for meritorious public services. He retired from the public Service of Nigeria in 1975 and went into Private Legal Practice.
In 1978, Prince Bankole Oki was called to the Inner Bar of Nigeria as SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA (SAN). In consideration of this immense contribution to the legal profession, he also become a LIFE MEMBER OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS OF THE NIGERIAN BAR and a four member of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee. He also the Chairman of the Body of Benchers.
Prince Abioye Bankole Oki, the Alaagba of Lagos is a great social figure whose many Excellency qualities of mind and person, the humble and unassuming posture of his nature endeard him to the young and the old. He is an understanding and veteran member of many social clubs including the Crescent Bearers founded in 1939; Metropolitan Club Lagos Lawn Tennis Club of the Lagos ln Lagos and lsland Club. He was elected the Chairman of that position in 1983.
In April 1991 he was awarded the highest honour in the Island Club, THE KNIGHTS COMMADERS OF THE ORDER OF PEACOCK in appreciation of his meritorious sense in the Club. He is the Patron of Pent House Boys a small group of eminent Nigerians with common interests. And Adviser to His Royal Highness Oba Stephen Adeyinka Adeoye, the Akila of Erin ljesha, Osun State.
Signed:- Ademola Oladega Akinsemoyin
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz