In commemoration of the twenty-eight year anniversary of the establishment of Osun State, osun.life has released a list of twenty most influential people in the State.
osun.life, a digital media organisation based in Osogbo, the state capital, is the virtual home of Osun for News, Business, Travel, Lifestyle and Events.
In a press statement released today by the Editor of osun.life, Mr. Joseph Akanbi, he said the list contained indigenes of the State whose ideas, example, talent, and discoveries have transformed the state and nation at large. He further said there were different categories with limited slots awarded, as well as criteria used in arriving at the final list.
Mr. Akanbi who disclosed that the list would be an annual event to commemorate the State’s creation anniversary said “It was a tedious task arriving at the final list but in computing the list, our panel members who have proven antecedents, integrity, and pedigree, went beyond sentiments, political, religious and ethnic affiliation.”
“Even though influence is hard to measure, the men on the list have attained influence either through public possession of power, have a real influence on events of our time or affect our lives through their moral example.”
“Our greatest asset in Osun is our people and it is our hope that these listed men of honour would continue to do more, either individually or collectively unite to better the lives of the people of Osun State”
The list has Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Dr. Deji Adeleke and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola occupying the first three respectively.
1
Enoch Adeboye
Born on March 2, 1942 into a humble family in the village of Ifewara, Osun State. He is the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), he oversees a network of over 40,000 parish-churches in 186 nations of the world. In the United States alone, there are over 600 several RCCG branches. The annual RCCG Conventions in Nigeria has an average attendance of over 7 million people.
In 2009, he was named one of the World’s Fifty Most Powerful People by Newsweek Magazine USA. Adeboye who has written over 60 books, also holds the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
2
Adedeji Adeleke
Born 6 March 1957, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, a native of Ede, Osun State, is a Nigerian billionaire, business magnate, founder, and president of Adeleke University. He is also the CEO of Pacific Holdings Limited.
Earlier in 1996, he established a not-for-profit Non-governmental organization called Springtime Development Foundation (SDF) to sponsor the poor and downtrodden citizens of Nigeria through higher education. In 2011, he founded Adeleke University through the Springtime Development Foundation (SDF), a philanthropic, non- profit making organisation established to assist indigent students to benefit from quality higher education. Recently, it was reported that about 82% of the students in Adeleke University are on scholarship through Springtime Development Foundation
Dr. Deji who is one of the wealthiest Nigerians is the proud owner of Olorunsogo Power Plant and has also started the construction of another $2bn power plant.
3
Rauf Aregbesola
Rauf Aregbesola, a native of Ilesha is the immediate past Governor of Osun state where he served two terms in the office making him the longest-serving Governor of the twenty-eight-year-old state. He is the current Minister of Interior of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Aregbesola is largely responsible for the emergence of his successor, 23 members of the State Assembly, 7 members of the House of Representatives and 2 members of the Senate, all on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
4
Tunde Badmus
Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus is a businessman, a community and religious leader. The Chairman of Tuns Group is a foremost Industrialist and an indigene of Osogbo. He is also the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland with a social stature and influence in his home state and beyond.
His major company, Tuns Farms Nigeria limited was established over 3 decades ago , it ranks amongst the top 3 producers of broiler meat in the country. The company at the moment is also the highest private individual employer of labour in Osun State.
In 2016, Alhaji Tunde Badmus recorded a major milestone with the Federal Government signing a N25billion pact with Tuns Group for the production of egg.
5
Olagunsoye Oyinlola
Born 3 February 1951, in Okuku, Odo Otin LGA of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is a former military officer who retired with the rank of Brigadier-General in 1999. He participated in the United Nations Peace-Keeping exercises in Chad in 1983 and Somalia in 1993.
He became Governor of the State in 2003, defeating an incumbent and was Governor of the State for seven and half years. Omoba as he’s fondly called commands tremendous influence within the State owing to the achievements his administration recorded and his style of governance.
Amongst his achievements is the establishment of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) across six towns of the State and also bringing lasting peace to the Modakeke-Ife crisis.
6
Adebisi Akande
Chief Adebisi Akande, born in Ila Orangun on 16 January 1939, was the first Governor of the State upon Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 and served for a period of four years. Chief Akande had at several times also served as the National Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the first interim National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC).
Even though Akande’s regime in the State was a bit turbulent, his greatest achievement was the construction of a befitting State Secretariat in a record four years.
7
Enitan Ogunwusi
Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi is current Ooni of Ife, since his ascension to the throne, he has initiated several empowerment programmes for the people of Ile-Ife and Osun State.
Ogunwusi is the Permanent Chairman of the Osun State Traditional Council and Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Traditional Council. His throne commands royalty and great influence from all over the world.
8
Musa Animashaun
Sheikh Musa Animashaun is the Grand Imam of Osun State. Considering that there are various sects in Islam, he is the only Islamic cleric with a unifying appeal over the large Islamic faithful population of Osun State.
9
Hezekiah Oladeji
Prophet Hezekiah Oluboye Oladeji was born into a Baptist family at Edun Abon, Ile Ife in Osun state. In September, 2017, he was appointed as the new General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide. CAC is one of the oldest churches in Nigeria with a significant presence in Osun State, the church also has a university in Ikeji Arakeji.
As an Evangelist, Prophet Oladeji’s influence transcends the CAC, he has a great influence over Christians in Osun State and South West Nigeria.
10
Gboyega Oyetola
Adegboyega Oyetola was born in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State on September 29, 1954.
Oyetola worked in the Insurance sector for 31years before his appointment as Chief of Staff in Osun State.
65-yr-old Gboyega Oyetola is the 5th democratically elected Governor of the State. He was Chief of Staff to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola. His 10-month old administration has recorded tremendous success in the area of healthcare delivery to the people of Osun State.
11
Francis Fadahunsi
Born at Ilase-Ijesha, Osun State on 12th July, 1952, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (OFR) is the current Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly. He worked and retired at the Nigeria Customs as an Assistant Comptroller General.
Senator Fadahunsi is the highest current office holder of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State. Fadahunsi’s influence stems from his philantrophic gestures and creation of employment opportunities, it is said that no one has ever facilitated the gainful employment of Osun citizens into the Federal Civil Service like Francis Fadahunsi.
12
Matthew Ashimolowo
Born 17 March 1952, Matthew Ashimolowo, an indigene of Odeomu in Ayedaade Local Government Area of the State is a globally renowned preacher. He is a philanthropist of note with several interventions in women empowerment. He is the Founder of Kings University, Ode-Omu.
The 12th edition of his annual widows’ empowerment event and donations of food, cloth, and cash held on January 6, 2018, had about 17,000 widow beneficiaries from Isokan, Ikire, Apomu, Ikoyi, Osogbo and Odeomu communities of Osun State.
The initiative is designed to celebrate the widows who are often castigated, segregated and subjected to inhuman conditions in the society instead of recognizing their potentials and helping them move on with life after the death of their spouse.
13
Lasun Yussuff
Sulaimon Lasun Yussuff is the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He represented the people of Osogbo/Olorunda, Orolu, and Irepodun at the green chamber eight years between 2011-2019.
Lasun used his influence as the then number 6 man in the Country to attract several constituency projects to his constituency area of Osun State. His numerous intervention include employment, human capacity building, micro credit empowerment, agriculture, education, water resources, power, road among others.
14
Abdulkabir Aliu
Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu is an Ede born business tycoon. He is the MD/CEO of Matrix Energy. His company was named one of the top 100 businesses in Nigeria in the year 2014. He is a proven professional in business development and also possesses diverse competencies that cut across the spectrums of Engineering, Finance, Trading and Logistics
In 2018, his company, Matrix Energy was one of the companies NNPC awarded a two-year contract to lift Nigerian crude oil.
Abdulkabir is a high net worth individual who keeps a refreshing low profile, he has a palatial mansion in Nigeria’s exclusive Banana Island and has reportedly taken delivery of a customized private jet.
The Abdul-Kabir Aliu Foundation scholarship, with a modest beginning of 70 brilliant students in six federal universities at inception in 2014, has grown to accept applications from students in 13 federal universities across the nation. His enormous philanthropic gestures has provided succour to the people of Ede land and environs.
15
Ademola Adeleke
Born May 13, 1960 to the family of Ayoola Adeleke, his father was Late Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke the Balogun of Ede land in Osun State, a politician, second republic Senator and political leader of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) working alongside the premier of Western Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Ademola Adeleke first came into political limelight after he was elected as a Senator in 2017 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party after the sudden death of his elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
On 23 July 2018, Ademola emerged as the governorship candidate of PDP in Osun State after defeating Akin Ogunbiyi with seven votes
Adeleke ran for Osun state governorship election under the PDP against top contenders Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola of APC and Iyiola Omisore of SDP on the 22nd of September, 2018. The election was declared inconclusive by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and a rerun slated on the 27th of September, 2018. The candidate of the APC Oyetola was declared winner after the run-off. Adeleke protested the result describing the election as a “coup”. On Friday March 22, 2019, the tribunal sitting in Abuja declared Senator Adeleke as the winner of the election and duly elected governor of the state. However, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court upturned the ruling of the lower court and declared Gboyega Oyetola of APC winner.
Ademola Adeleke for different reasons is a big brand and influence in Osun State and Nigeria. He enjoys the confidence of at least 255,023 who voted him during the last governorship election.
16
Yusuf Ali (SAN)
Born some 56 years ago in Ifetedo, Osun State to Alhaji Bisiriyu Olayiwola Ali and Alhaja Taibat Omosara Ali. He started elementary education at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Ifetedo, Osun State between 1960 and 1968. In line with the education pattern of the era, in 1969 he attended Local Authority Modern School, Ifetedo and bagged the Secondary Modern School Leaving Certificate in 1971.
In 1997 he was awarded the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (S.A.N.). Yusuf Ali has handled well over 100 election petition cases and over 150 appeal cases at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. In addition, he has 201 publications both in learned journals, articles and contributions as well as 93 awards among others.
The Osun State-born legal juggernaut un-arguably has charity as his second name, judging by the in-exhaustible list of his donations and contribution to institutions, apart from medical, educational and job assistance to several thousands. Some of these donations include; an ICT/e-library Centre donated to the faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, a built and equipped 80-bed hostel, donated to the Osun State University (Faculty of Law.
Ali is also the current Chairman, Governing Council of the Osun State University.
17
David Adeleke
David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), better known by his stage name Davido, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. Davido who is a native of Ede, Osun State is also the son of Dr Adedeji Adeleke, influential billionaire and founder of Adeleke University.
The influence of Davido in Osun State was first tested during the 2018 gubernatorial election, Davido’s presence at the PDP rallies in areas such as Iwo, Ilesa and Osogbo attracted a mass number of people, giving the rally a view of a sold-out concert. The singer showed up for the rallies and treated the audience to sessions of thrilling musical performances, while also charging them to cast their votes for his uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke. Premium Times in an article described him as the “star attraction on his uncle’s campaign trail.”
Even the opposition party acknowledged the influence of the pop star, although they never thought it would translate into a mass volume of actual votes in the election. Davido continued the rally on social media, a platform where he is a major force on the continent. The singer is one of the Africans with most following on social media, with over 13.2 million followers on Instagram (a figure higher than that of CNN and BBC) and about 5.4 Million followers on Twitter.
Considering Osun’s high index of youth population, Davido, through his music and over the years have garnered a large cult following and has a considerable influence.
18
Yemi Elebuibon
Araba Ifayemi was born in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. He comes from a family acclaimed to be one of the authorities on Yoruba Traditional Institutions, A direct descendant of Olutimehin, one of Co-founder of the City of Osogbo. He began his priesthood training at age four.
Chief Elebuibon is an international scholar in-residence at San Francisco State University in California, USA, where he lectures on African Traditional religion and philosophy. He is the founder of Ancient Philosophy International, Osogbo, Nigeria a Centre dedicated to teach African traditional religion and preforming arts.
19
Festus Onigbinde
High Chief Onigbinde is a Technical Adviser for the world football governing body, Federation of International Football Association (FIFA). He is the first indigenous coach that led Nigerian Super Eagles to World Cup in 2002. He is an indigene of Modakeke area of the State and still commands great influence in the football community.
20
Muraina Oyelami
Born in Iragbiji, Nigeria in 1940. A man of two worlds, Oyelami is known by many as a master painter while others know him as a great performing artist in music and theatre. Oyelami began his career as an artist in 1964 as one of the original products of the famous Oshogbo Art School initiated by Professor Ulli Beier and his wife Georgina Beier.
Muraina is one of the original products of the famous Oshogbo Art Movement. Described as a poetic painter with a romantic approach, his works reflect composition and meaning. His varied and enormous list of credits include Studio Museum in Harlem, New York , Staatlichen Kunsthalle, Berlin, Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC. and Institute of Contemporary Arts, London to mention a few.
Oyelami was also a founding member of the late Duro Ladipo Theatre Company as an actor and musician. He toured with the group to the Berlin Festival of Art in 1964 and the first Commonwealth Arts Festival in the United Kingdom in 1965. Oyelami composed and directed the music for Wole Soyinka’s famous ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, England.
Muraina Oyelami has exhibited his works and performed traditional and fusion music throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and USA. His varied and enormous list of credits include Guest of the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Poland, Artist in Residence and Fellow of the National Black Theatre in Harlem, New York and Guest Professor in African Studies at the University of Bayreuth, Germany.