•HRM Oba LAWRENCE JAIYEOBA ADEBAJO
It was not a mere coincidence that Kabiyesi was named Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo. Dig deep into the meaning of his names, you will come to the conclusion that he is a man of destiny, divinely prepared for greatness and groomed for royalty.
Let’s tell you more. Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo is proudly from the male Royal lineage of Ojuromi from Oke Tako in Ijebu Igbo. Sired by parents, Prince Tanimowo Adebajo and Mama Safuratu Adebajo (Nee Aderibigbe/]B.King) from Atikori, he was born on the 11th day of Novernber, 1953 in Fowoseje, a remote village in Ijebu Igbo.
A good education, it is said, is the foundation for a better future. Young Prince Jaiyeoba with, a burning desire to get educated, started his elementary education at St. Bridget Catholic Primary School, Fowoseje and, at age twelve, completed his primary education with merits. He enrolled at St Vincent Catholic Secondary Modern School, Oke Sopen, Ijebu Igbo in 1966 and equally completed his Modern School education in 1968.
Fate however played a fast one on him as his Dad could no longer afford to pay his fees through to Secondary School. Painful as it was, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo chose to make lemonade from the lemon life’s circumstances threw at him. He was determined to, not only develop himself but, ensure he turned out to be a success in his life endeavours. He embarked on a lot of personal training and development exercises. He became dedicated towards achieving his goals and such dedication and relentlessness eventually paid off.
Through his late father’s wise counsel, he started his career in Transportation business by joining a Transport Company located in Ibadan. As the saying goes, a star that is determined to shine cannot be hidden, not even by darkness. The budding youngster, Prince Jaiyeoba performed so well, breaking records in his assigned duty that a Luxury Bus Transport Company from Lagos, ICOC poached and brought him to Lagos in February 15, 1975. He resumed duty as a Transport Officer and soon
learnt a lesson of life through his then Managing Director, Mr. Infeayinchucku Osondu who later became the Igwe of Umulolo, Okigwe, Imo State. It was at the end of year party of the company in 1975, and his MD told his story of grass to grace. A steady growth from motor boy, to Danfo Driver to Transport officer and vehicle owner and eventually owned fleet of vehicles. This prepared him for the challenges ahead and equipped him with all that was needed to succeed in life as he ventured into Transportation business. With this insight from his boss, he started saving from monthly salary.
On December 24, 1977, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo bought his first new car which unfortunately got burnt after the second day of purchase. As one who would not allow setbacks to set him back. He quickly remembered the admonitions of his Boss and realized that even the accomplished suffers
setbacks sometimes. The more bitter the lessons, the greater the successes will be. With zeal and determination for success Prince Jaiyeoba forged ahead. In 1979, while still working for ICOC, he started making effort through personal contacts towards buying his first luxury Bus on hire purchase from a company owned then by Alhaji Saibu Gomina at Osogbo.
He eventually achieved his goal and bought a bus through a monthly payment that was spread for a period of 30 months. As a man of fair-minded conscience who would not want a clash of interest between his Boss and him, he resigned as a Workshop Manager and started his own transport business which was later registered as L.A TANMO &: Sons on August 1, 1984; a business name he coined from his father’s name Tanimowo’.
It is on record that he completed payment for the bus in a record time of 10 months. He was thereafter
introduced to a company in Lagos and he got a luxury bus which he also completed its payment in 8 months. The management of the company was so impressed at his performance and he was offered another Bus of which he also completed payment in Seven months. This was how his business grew and he became a proud owner of a fleet of buses.
The best, they say, will never rest. His company explored other frontiers and succeeded in securing a deal with Lagos State Waste Water Management Office (LSWMO) as an accredited Transport Company for the organisation. With years of unblemished service to LSWMO, he wa offered a Facility Management contract. Due to the company s prudent and transparent management process, he was given a commendation letter by the Agency last year, having performed meritoriously for over 12 years. His facility management contract with LSWMO is still valid till date.
No doubt, Prince Jaiyeoba is a successful and accomplished entrepreneur who before the age of 40, built his hou es in Aledo Oke Agbo Ijebu Igbo and in Okota Lagos. Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo is a humble, noble, God-fearing and compassionate personality who is ready to help people rise above challenges. He has been able to assist many people through educational, business and financial support in various ways. He has helped people setup businesses and even stood as guarantors for those who needed huge financial assistance. To the glory of God, some of those he has assisted have become a success story today. His joy is seeing people celebrating successes around him.
A silent achiever, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo has to his credit a lot of anonymous donations. To him, he would want God to take Glory for enabling him to touch lives in various ways. His philanthropic activities earned him the title of Balogun Ijo of St. Peters Catholic Church, Oke Sopen, Ijebu Igbo. He has on various occasion stretched a helping hand to The Catholic
Church, Oke Agbo, The Christian Association of Nigeria, Ijebu North and The Catholic Church in Ukpenu, near Ekpoma, Edo State.
Apart from his various community support activities, Prince Jaiyeoba is not one that discriminates against religious leanings. This is evident in his contributions towards the renovation of several mosques in his neighbou
rhood. He has an award to show for this from a Mosque in Okota, Lagos, his area of residence. In his local community, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo was at various
times the Secretary , Treasurer and the Chairman of his Community Development Association in Okota,
Lagos. He was Chairman for several years before he voluntarily pulled out to allow others to contribute
their quota towards the growth of the community.
Call him a reluctant candidate to the throne of Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, you will evidently find in him a man of impeccable character who keep to his words and maintain his integrity in all his dealings. However, fate has entrusted this exalted position on him and through faith he believes and states if my ascension to the throne will uplift my dear town, Ijebu Igbo, so be it. ow, we have a man who is genuinely committed towards the growth of his town, Ijebu Igbo.
Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adedeji Tanimowo Adebajo is married to Mrs. Bolanle Mary Adebajo, an Entrepreneur from Osan Ekiti, Moba Local Government of Ekiti State and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.
–Culled From His Coronation Brochure
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