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The Story Of His Life @ 90
In Ogun State, his name and image looms large. He is an elderstatesman. He is well respected by his people and he holds his Owu heritage in high regards. The big news is that Baba turned 90 a few days ago and many distinguished Owu & Egba people trooped out in large numbers to honour and celebrate this man who has impeccable credentials.
It was all Glitz and Glamour as Chief Doja Adewolu MFR, Otun Balogun of Owu Kingdom, Agoro of Egbaland and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Benin Teaching Hospital celebrated his 90th birthday in Abeokuta. The occasion was filled with family, friends and well wishers who were gaily dressed in colourful outfits, lighting up the decorated reception area of OOPL Marquee Hall, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Boulevard Oke Mosan Abeokuta Ogun State.
The famous nonagenarian is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN) He could be seen smiling and grinning from ear all through the ceremony as he received numerous gifts from friends, family and he business associates, including the IHSAN National President Mrs Rosemary Archibong Esq.
When asked to give his remark about Chief Doja, Oba Prof. Saka Adeola Matemilola (FNSE) the Olowu of Owu Kingdom observed protocol by greeting the elders first, instead of the usual hierarchical method of welcoming guests. He reminisced on Chief Doja’s remarkable contributions to Owu kingdom, and the notable projects he has executed alongside Chief Doja. He added that Chief Doja Adewolu says things exactly how he feels, which makes him not to be an hypocrite, and he means well for those around him. “Chief Doja is proud of his Owu heritage and he goes all out when it comes to the activities of the Kingdom’’.
Former Governor of Ogun Senator Ibikunle Amosun (CON,FCA), was among dignitaries who were present at the event; During his speech, he said “being asked to talk about Chief Doja Adewolu is like asking me to speak about my father because Baba has been a pillar of support to the whole of Ogun State in general”. He said Chief Doja whenever he is assigned a task does it with so much commitment. He doesn’t pretend and he makes his stand known without mincing words. The Senator reminded His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo that he shouldn’t keep travelling back and forth since he is getting close to 90 years as well.
Other dignitaries that graced the event were ex-Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, Osile of Oke Ona Egbaland, APC chieftain and former senator Hon. Olanrewaju Adeyemi Tejuoso, General Manager Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, Mrs Toyin Adeola Sogbesan, Jamb Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyode (CON), Members of the Abeokuta Sports Club and others.
During the event, students from Abeokuta Grammar School thrilled the audience with a special rendition towhich Chief Doja Adewolu gleefully sang along. The celebrant, his wife Hon Justice (Rtd) Yetunde Adewolu were accompanied by well wishers to the dance floor as, Evang. Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey serenaded the audience with his sonorous voice.
Let’s tell you a little about him. Chief Adedoja Adewolu was born to Chief Alimi Adeniran Adewolu (Balogun of Owu Muslims) and
Madam Saratu Yejide Adewolu on October I, I 933 at Adewolu Village in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. His early education started at the Qur’anic School at Papalanto now in Ewekoro Local Government where he was tutored by a renowned Islamic Scholar, Alhaji Adedokun. At that time, he lived with his Aunt popularly called “Iya Papa”. In January 1943, he came to Abeokuta with his cousins Solomon Soleye, Segun (Onaolapo) Soleye and Adejare Soleye. He attended Owu Baptist Day School from 1943 to 1950 where he passed the standard six examination with distinction in Religious Knowledge.
He proceeded to Abeokuta Grammar School where he studied from 1951 till 1956. Amongst his classmates at Abeokuta Grammar School were Oba Dr. Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, late Professor Akin Sogbamu, late Professor Amos Folarin, late Chief OIufemi Esuruoso – Balogun Egba, late Chief Siji Soetan, Dr. Isola Abudu, Dr. Ven. Bola Akinsanya, Lanre Akingbogun, late Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Bishop George Bakoand Chief Robert Clarke SAN.
In January 1957, he worked briefiy at H. M. Customs, Apapa before joining the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1958 and worked there until 1960. On February 9, I 960, he traveled on MV Apapa to the United Kingdom (UK). Notable among the passengers on the same vessel were Mrs. H. I. D. Awolowo, Mrs. Sofolahan the wife of Hon. Justice Sofolahan. ‘Doja Adewolu arrived in UK on February 22, 1960 and was received and accommodated by his cousin late Bolaji Akinbode.
He registered with North London Polytechnic for his GCE (A) level. In 1961 he was admitted to the London Hospital Research Laboratory to be trained as a Laboratory Scientist, where he passed the Intermediate Examination. In 1963 he was admitted to the Institute of Hospital Administration and sat for the Intermediate and Final Examinations of the Institute which he passed in flying colours. He had distinction in Personnel Management and Law Relating to Mental Health. He worked at Westminster Teaching Hospital and Northwest Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board on General Administration grade. While in UK, ‘Doja took additional qualification in Personnel Management and later went to Birmingham University for Masters Degree in Health Administration,
Doja, returned to Nigeria in 1971 and resumed duties immediately at the Wusasa Mission Hospital, Zaria where he served as Hospital Secretary till 1973. He then joined the Personnel Department of University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan from 1973 to March 1976. ‘Doja was appointed Assistant Director of Administration at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife in 1975, he served in that capacity till 1978. In July 1978, he was appointed Deputy Secretary by the Interim Psychiatric Hospitals Management Board and served in that position till 1979 when he was appointed as Executive Secretary to the Psychiatric Hospitals Management Board under the Chairmanship of Professor J. C. Ebie. At that time, there were three hospitals under the Board: Yaba Psychatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos; Neuropsychatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta; Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin. Under his stewardship, five more psychiatric hospitals were added to the Board. they are: Psychiatric Hospital. Calabar; Psychiatric Hospital. Enugu; Psychiatric Hospital. Kaduna: Psychiatric Hospital. Maiduguri; and Psychiatric Hospital. Sokoto. He retired meritoriously from service in 1995.
After Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. different administrations called upon Adedoja to bring his wealth of experience to bear in administration and governance with the public sector. especially in the area of healthcare administration. Below are some of the notable capacities in which he served: •Board Chairman. Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital. Maiduguri •Board Chairman. Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) •Board Chairman. University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) •Chairman. Board of Trustees of the Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN)
Doja is married to Hon. Justice (Mrs.) Yetunde Abiodun Adewolu (Rtd.). They were married on January 5. 1963 at a private ceremony in the city of London. On January 5. 2023 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and continue to enjoy a loving and profound companionship. They are blessed with children and grandchildren. They are both members of the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International (FGBMFI) where they have continued to give expression to their Christian faith. serving in a community of like-minded worshippers fondly referred to as the” Happiest People on Earth”.
Doja’s active and enthusiastic personality saw him recognized and given many awards in recognition of his meritorious service to his immediate community and to Nigeria at large. Below are some of the notable chieftaincy titles. awards and recognitions conferred upon him over the years:
NATIONAL HONOUR
Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR)
Notable Chieftaincy titles: Seriki of Owu Christians, Akilagun of Oke-Ona Egba, Basorun of Owu Kingdom, Bobagunwa of Ode Remo, Agoro of Egbaland, Oganla of Orile-Owu, Bameto of Owu-lsin. Kwara State, Baale of Adewolu Village (in Ifo Local Govt), Otun of Owu Kingdom.
AWARDS.& RECOGNITIONS
- Institute of Health Service Administration of Nigeria Honour for Notable Contribution to the Institute and the Heath Service in Nigeria-October 24,2002.
- The Royal Union of Own people (RUOP) – National President (NACOP) 2004 – 2008
- Honorary Award Abeokuta Sports Club-April 10,2004.
- Prison Rehabilitation Mission International in Conjunction with United Nations Office on drugs & Crime PREMI/UNODC MeritAward -18th December, 2005.
- Meritorious Service Award Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba & Mental Health Services in Nigeria- December
22, 2006.
- Nobles International Award -August 18,2007
- Rotary Club ofOnigbongbo, District 91 10 Nigeria-September 2,2007.
- Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba Lagos – Meritorious Centenary Award -October 26,2007.
- Chieftaincy Certificate as Baale Adewolu Village Ifo Local Government. December 17, 2007.
- Centenary Anniversary Award Appreciation of Meritorious Service as the Past National Secretary of
AGSOBA- July 19,2008.
- Adoption by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria Ogun State Branch as Patron-of the Association.
- Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International I Miner Arganbright Patron-2008.
- St John’sAnglican Church IGBEINAward of Excellence -August 23, 2009.
- Chieftaincy Certificate as Otun Owu Kingdom -July4, 2011
- Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys Association (AGSOBA) Club 2005- The Grand Patron of AGSOBA 2005-December 26, 20 12.
- Royal Ambassadors Ogun Baptist Conference Humanitarian Service Award -August 2,2014.
- Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International, Nigeria Miner Arganbright Partner-2015.
- Ifo Day 2015 Distinguished Elders Award for Excellent Community Service-November 21, 2015.
- Organization of African Instituted Churchs (OAIC) Ogun State Chapter- Special Award of Honour as
Golden Father-April 21 , 2018.
- Rotary Club of Benin Kings Square R I, District 9 141 Meritorious Award for Service to Humanity,
Development & Mentorship -August 18,2018
- Nigeria Heart Foundation I Distinguished Service-October 29,2018.
- Coker/IBOGUN LCDA General Council of Baales Ibogun Olaogun Ifo Ogun State – Outstanding Father
of the year Award -November 19,2018.
- Institute of Health Service Administration of Nigeria (IHSAN) – A Distinguished Fellow of the Institute awarded -March 26, 2019
- Ogun State Government House Chapell Award of Excellence & Commendation as member, Chapel
Management Committee-June 9, 2019.
- Exemplary Couple Award by National Sensitization Seminar on Marriage & Family Education-August 15, 2019.
– Abiodun Edith Akinto
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