Boss Picks

Tenacity, Quality the Secrets of Ade Bakare Couture’s Success – Ade Bakare

Published

6 years ago

October 27, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

He needs no introduction in the fashion world. With over 27 years of experience designing and styling some of the nation’s finest women, from first ladies of president and governors, to political bigwigs, Ade Bakere is a success when it comes to couture and regular fashion designing.

In this exclusive interview, the University of Lagos History graduate bares his mind on how Ade Bakare Couture began, the challenges faced and overcame, and his plans for the nearest future. Excerpts:

Ade Bakare is known as both an individual and a brand. Who is Ade Bakare the individual?

I was born in England but relocated to Nigeria with my parents where I had my secondary school education. I attended Federal Government College, Lagos then I went to the University of Lagos where I studied History.

However, I had always wanted to study fashion from an early age, so once I finished my degree I went to England, precisely at Southford University College, Manchester, to study fashion because my parents always insisted that if you are going to do anything, you must do it well; so if you want to be a fashion designer, you have to get the proper training. A year after I completed the training I established my fashion outfit after having employment stints with some of the big names in the fashion industry, this was in the 1990s when the country was going through recession and getting a job was difficult. A lot of businesses were closing down as the economy was rough, that was when I stumbled on an article in the Evening Standard about starting your own fashion…

Ade in his shop

You went to school to study history, at what point did you realize that fashion was the thing for you? Had it always been there or the University brought it out?

Its innate, it had always been there, I just had to nurture and bring it out.
Was there anybody into fashion designing in your family before you?
My father was an Accountant and my Mom was a Caterer. However, in my Mom’s family were many very educated persons and they believe that if you want to do anything, it has to be professional, especially as most of them were doctors and professors and all that. My situation is quite similar to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti who went outside the country to study Music and I think that is what education does, it shows you that these things that you see as hobbies or passion are actually professions and one can do well with them.

During the period you went to study fashion, professions like Law, Medicine among others were in vogue. How easy was it for your parents to give you a go-ahead to study fashion designing?

Well, my Dad had a policy that once you are 21, you could decide for yourself and my Mum had nurtured me in the art of fashion through magazines and it was only natural that she would support me when I decided to go that part, but she stipulated one condition, that because of the Nigerian mentality that if you do not go to school, you are a drop out and would not be taken seriously, I must go to the University and graduate. However, I always think that if I was in England and had finished my secondary school there, she wouldn’t have minded me going from Secondary school to a fashion school. Interestingly, when I got there, I was like the only adult student as majority of the other students were fresh out of the English equivalent of Secondary school and when I said I had a degree, everyone was like, if this was what you want to do, why did you go to study History and I had to explain the Nigeria narrative to them but it was hard for them to understand because fashion designing had been appointed a degree status as early as the 1960s in England.

For them, a lawyer or doctor was not any bigger than a fashion designer, cook or chef but interestingly, a lot of people are now going into those kinds of professions. My parents did not object to my studying fashion designing so I am a product of two minds that had seen beyond all of what I earlier said and I think my case has been a success story because over there, I was seen as a spectacular student and was always called upon to lecture, and from lecturing, I was also called to handle some workshops and even now I am always called upon to teach. I think it is because of my History degree so it has not been all together a waste.

What does your fashion outfit cater for?

We dabble into a bit of everything, we do wedding outfits. For example, when Virgin Airline began, we won the bid to design the uniforms for them and although we always like to cater for other kind of clothing but having had the training in fashion, Ade Bakare Couture just knew what to do because in school you are taught how to do everything, from children’s wear, to wedding and what have you. You finally specialize in your final year.

At what stage did you know that you’ve finally made a breakthrough?

A lot of activities set my path to breakthrough. In the first place, Dele Momodu wrote about me, and portrayed me to the world in his Ovation Magazine. Then it was followed by my invitation to Nigeria by Sammy Ogbodu. Those aside, I was the official designer for late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo. More so, I have been fortunate to be discovered very early because when I started, there were not too many black designers in England. I was a novelty so people were interested in this black designer. People were intrigued, asking who is this black guy?

So your race gave you the breakthrough?

Yes, people wanted to know and work with this black person. They were quite surprised, and again, I was quite young, around 23, 24, just like how you have the musicians today. In reality, people wanted to see me work and what I could do. So, I had a lot of attention and I was able to capitalize on them but it was a two-way thing because I also faced a lot of rejection.

Ade’s adire design being showcased by models in Kigali

Who are your clients? What group of people do you style?

I like to say we cater and make things for everyone because everyone likes to look good, and we are committed to doing just that; things that stand out, that are beautifully cut and of course have good life span. Classical pieces but with a modern touch and for example, I still have ladies that have bought things from us 10-15 years ago and they still wear them.
What’s the process of making or styling a high profile client, and how long does it take?
It’s a collaborative effort and process; you meet with the client, you draw your sketch, you show them to the client, they tell you their likes and dislikes. Like the late Mrs. Obasanjo, she liked silk and soft chiffon, beautiful colors, and things neatly cut and getting all the way to the floor. Different clients like different things so you don’t always have to dictate, and because you are dealing on a one-to-one level, it takes different time to make an outfit. There are always ready to wear clothes and that doesn’t take time because the customer can just come and pick them off the shelf.

How many fashion lines do you have?

We’ve got the Ade Bakare Couture, which is the high end and what we are known for, and then we’ve got the ready to wear lines and they are quite affordable because we’ve got dresses that go for 25 thousand Naira, we’ve got jackets starting from 20 thousand naira, trousers starting from 15 thousand naira, so you could get a good outfit for 30 thousand naira with the same principles of Couture and we have generated quite a lot of success with the ready-to-wear outfits because people come for the ready to wear as they affordable.
Couture is usually expensive because you are using the best of everything but with the introduction of our ready-to-wear lines we have been able to reach a good number of our customers.

What is the major reason why you are concentrated on ladies?

Well, ladies can be very creative. The saying goes that a woman can wear everything a man can and more, she can wear jackets, trousers, shirts and the others. So, for a woman you can be more creative unlike a man, it is always a shirt or a trouser, a shorts and maybe a bit more but a woman offers variety and this allows for creativity. But note that we also run men’s wear line as well. We make desirable cloths for men too.

It was once reported that you were commissioned to do the interior decoration of a flat. Can you please shed more light on that?

Okay, when I came back from England and decided to open an outlet of the business here, we basically had to go to the client’s homes to discuss the designs with them and while there I usually comment on the interior of the house as a creative person. And you know, fashion is an arm of design. The client would then say I like your taste and we are looking to purchase another home, would you like to do the interior designs? And that was how we began, choosing and combining colors to give them the brilliant taste they desired.

As a result, we began getting more requests from clients to do more interior designing for flats, houses and all that. We do soft furnishing; bed, tables, furniture basically, kitchen and more.

Well, if you can dabble into the waters of interior designing being a fashion designer, one can guess that you do other things, so what other areas does Ade Bakare have interest in?
I have always liked to do interior designing but I also engage in costume designs and we’ve done quite a number of that for movies, we did it for ‘A Place in the Stars’, then we also got approached to do something for the cast of the series, ‘Lekki Wives’ and we did something for them. Currently, we are designing for ‘Battleground’ which is a series in its second year. So, that’s another angle to me. We are also in talks with another movie producer to design for one of his projects and I like projects. Designing is usually twice in a year, you do your autumn and spring collection so projects keeps one busy all year round.

What’s the next thing for Ade Bakare Couture?

The goal is to go global, we already have outlets in Lagos, Abuja, New York and London but we would to go global, and I am not just talking of Europe and North America, I mean West Africa. I would want that we have outlets in Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal and other places because I think it kind of unifies us when people know what we are doing then also, we are looking to get investors in the business, people who would own shares.

There are quite a large number of persons who want to go into designing and Couture, what experiences do you want to share and relate to them?

It’s actually funny you should say that. We opened this place in 2006 and that same year, I started the Young Designers Creative Competition, YDCC to support and encourage young designers in the country. With the support and sponsorship of Mrs. Ovia, Mrs. Tinubu, MTN and others we were able to get the Civic Centre. We selected 10 best entries and began working with them, though we couldn’t continue after 2 years. This was due to lack of sponsorship, but not to be deterred we set up the Fashion academy last year to train and teach students the rudiments of fashion designing, the designs, pattern cutting and tailoring.

We also talk to them about the art of designing, how to set up a business and the need to speak a second language because I think one of the things that hold young Africans back from making progress is the inability to speak a second language. We are surrounded by French speaking countries and it would be necessary to learn this language so we can work well and make progress, just like how the world is ‘giddying’ up to learn Chinese. I think for Africans, ours should be French so that when you go anywhere you won’t be limited.
We are also looking to set up academies in the major cities of the country – Abuja, Port Harcourt and others.

So, this is part of your CSR?

Yes and even from the 10th – 16th of November, we would be having an event; a retrospective on my work at Terra Kulture and we would be bringing in secondary school students on the island and mainland providing transportation and giving them an idea of what creativity is and means. It is a way to spark up their mindset at a young age. If a child wants to study music today, he might not get in touch with Wizkid but through exhibitions, concerts and auditions, he might be given a platform.

What people don’t realize is that the Western world usually start grooming their kids from a young age; look at Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Beyoncé, and that’s what we are trying to do – provide a platform for the young ones. We’ve actually done the retrospective thing before, we did it when we were celebrating our 10th anniversary. I am not sure how well people are going to respond to it but so far the feedbacks have been encouraging. For example, sometime at a restaurant, a lady walked up to me and said she remembers me and I was like, oh that’s interesting. She said she had been part of those people who had been selected one time to attend our exhibition and what she took from it was that if you could draw and had a creative side, you could find yourself in this line of work. And a lot of kids are this creative; you see them drawing comics, creating interesting content. Parents of yesteryears might have frowned at that but with the way our artistes are making money, they are persuaded to encourage them, so the key is to discover the talent and support them at a young age.

It doesn’t mean that they don’t read their books and choose to go into the academics but with that talent they can carve a name for themselves and that can become their breakthrough, but that can only happen if we identify and discover these talents.

What would you have been if you were not a fashion designer?

I think I would have been in the Foreign affairs, an ambassador but at the same time, I think what I do is a form of diplomacy, promoting the Nigerian culture and the African culture because I believe a lot of problem comes from misinformation. when I am outside the country and I say I want to do this design, I can do this design, people are always like – an African, are you sure you can do this? All that is because of ignorance and I think that as Africans, we must promote our brand and the best of our ability. I have been invited by FIMA for an exhibition scheduled for 29th of November in Morocco where I would be representing Nigeria so I would be showcasing Africa fashion at that event.

In 27 years of Ade Bakare Couture, there must have been awards, please do list them?

It started from when I was in design school, I won an award at the National Student Bridal Competition, I came second of all the design schools in England. Subsequently, I was selected by Bride magazine as one of London’s most influential designers. I won Business man of the year for Northwest Bank and Western Union, and now, I just recollect something funny, I never like staying out late at events and this particular event Dele Momodu was present and he saw me get up, he asked, where are you going? and I said home, the event is taking longer than I expected and he said you are going nowhere. Lo and behold, my name was called, I don’t know if he had inside information. I also won the Nigeria City People Award on two occasions and a lot more but I like to look ahead and see what the future holds. We’ve also gotten invitations to show our work in various parts of the words, Vienna, Mozambique, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and even the AMAA awards which happened recently, we were flown down and the Rwanda government sponsored the show, so I find it quite interesting because it’s a way of unifying Africans and showing us the meaning of brotherhood.

While in the plane to Kigali, I met a friend of mine who I introduced to Peace Anyiam, the organiser of the Kigali event, and I thought she was on her way to Rwanda but she said no, she was going to Gambia as she had been invited and she had been invited to Dubai also to show her collection, so I think the rest of the world are becoming interested in what Africans are doing and we ourselves must not be in the back line.

We know you are based more in England than Nigeria but is there any challenge or are there challenges on the way to becoming a successful designer?

Oh yes! And one of them is finance; people often think you just need your creativity to function in this kind of business but not so. When you read about some of the top fashion houses, you would realize that they had astute business men behind them and that keeps them moving and going forward. I think the reason most fashion businesses in Nigeria are the way they are is though no fault of the owners, sole trade business and not fashion entities because of lack of foreign investors and the pressure is borne by them.

And when people invest in your business, you are blessed with sound financial advice which you can bring into your business. For example, my very good but now late friend, Remi Lagos, she had said before she passed on that she wouldn’t mind that if the business stops but close to her end, she said she would want the business to continue but how possible would that be, seeing she had not brought in investors. Hopefully, her sister might sell the rights of the business to a financial investor who would resurrect the business. It’s the same thing when you look at big English fashion houses, the owners are long dead, say 1950s, 1960s and someone comes and is willing to pay and resurrect the business.

I’ve really begun to understand the usefulness of investors; you have the creativity and they have the finances and the financial advice to give, so you must be willing to work with them. It’s a double-edged sword because the investors can bring about your downfall but no one comes into a business to see it crumble or make a loss and most business success stories are based on investment.

What can you say is the secret to the success of your business?

Tenacity; I put in 100% and I believe if you can make any success in business you must put all your effort and that has been my driving force. There is no option to it. That’s why I said if I wanted to do anything, it would have been fashion designing and that for me is the way to make things happen if you want to be successful. Here in Nigeria, we see fashion not as a business but as a hobby, someone can say I like playing with colours and patterns and that’s why they want to do it but it’s much more than that, you must concentrate and give it your all.

Do you have any competitor in business?

I compete with myself. I strive to do better than I’ve done yesterday but we have other wonderful designers, no doubt. However, I always see myself as a person of two ways, when I am in Nigeria, I am there and when in England, it’s another ball game. Initially, when we set up here, we were importing a good deal of the outfits and it wasn’t selling that much. We began to make clothes in Nigeria and we saw that it was moving. Nigerians like a bit of their own stuff. For example, when I began the silk adire, I saw that immediately we put them on the rail, they are bought. I asked them why at a point, and one of the ladies said, this is us, this is who we are and we can really relate with these.

With how tedious the business can be, how do you relax?

I listen to music, read books then do a little bit of going out. I also do a bit of swimming.

Boss Picks

Celebrating a Man of Outstanding Excellence, Ademola Adeleke

Published

1 week ago

November 30, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

“Since I assumed office, I have devoted myself majorly to delivering on our five-point agenda. I deploy my network locally and nationally in support of our noble projects and programmes for Osun. I am elated that our contributions are being noticed” – Governor Adeleke

In May 2024, two historical events took place to further cement the tag of ‘Performing Governor’, for which the Governor of Osun State, Asiwaju (Senator) Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, is known, and justifiably so. They include the conferment of the Asiwaju of Edeland title on him by his community, represented by the Timi of Ędę, HRH Oba Adesola Munirudeen Lawal (Laminisa 1), as well as the best governor of the year award conferred in him by the Vanguard Newspaper.

The prestigious Asiwaju title was previously held by Governor Adeleke’s elder brother, Isiaka Adeleke, who passed away on April 23, 2017.

Today, two years into his administration as the Number One Citizen of Osun State, Governor Adeleke has proved all doubting Thomases wrong, and lifted the state from comatose to prominence with verifiable, welfaristic and people-oriented projects that speak for themselves.

Recall that while stating the reasons behind his award as the Governor of the year, the General Editor, Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Jide Ajani, has said the governor’s attention to Infrastructural development of the state, has been topnotch, with special emphasis to his approval of infra upgrades of several tertiary institutions in the state.

The governor, in his humility, dedicated the award to the entire people of Osun State.

“We watched the video with the Vice Chancellor listing several approvals and even with the Governor asking the University to look into what other areas of intervention the state should act on. That video excites our curiosity and we proceeded to investigate further by leveraging on our team on ground here in Osun as well as a team from the headquarters.

“We discovered what the Vice Chancellor said in the video was a tip of the iceberg. Osun is indeed a huge construction site. You have continued to complete abandoned projects. You have completed many inherited projects from your predecessors

“We have your records on roads, bridges, water, school and health center upgrades among others. We read your multi-billion naira infrastructure plan and its ongoing implementation. You did not play politics with the development of your state.

“It is the totality of your passion for development that convinced the judges to confer the award on you. It is our hope that this recognition will spur you to an even greater push to deliver on your governance agenda”, Ajani had said.

In response, the Governor acknowledged as follows:

“Since I assumed office, I have devoted myself majorly to delivering on our five point agenda. I deploy my network locally and nationally in support of our noble projects and programmes for Osun. I am elated that our contributions are being noticed.

“I dedicate this award to the good people of Osun state. They made our positive records a reality. We have the unconditional support and love of our people in our push to take Osun to greater heights. I will personally attend the conferment in Lagos.

“Our government is forging ahead with our systematic physical and stomach infrastructure agenda. We are working on a new airport, an inland beach resort, cocoa sector revival, upgrade of the free trade zone for agro-industrialisation, robust climate change agenda and digital economy programme. We are on a mission to place Osun on the path of sustainable development”, the Governor told the visiting delegation.

THE MAN, ADEMOLA JACKSON ADELEKE

Born of the Adeleke family of Ede in Osun State on May 13, 1960, Adeleke commenced his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Surulere Lagos State before he was privileged to relocate to Old Oyo State to continue his education at Nawarudeen Primary School, Ikire.

Adeleke was born Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke to a Muslim father and Nnena Esther Adeleke, an Igbo Christian mother. Like him, Adeleke’s father, Raji Ayoola Adeleke was a Senator and the Balogun of Ede land in Osun State. His father, Raji Ayoola Adeleke was also the leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

On completion of his primary education, he moved on to The Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School, Ede to begin his post primary schooling. In the later years however, he attended Ede Muslim Grammar School Ede, where he completed his secondary school education and subsequently relocated to the United States of America, joining his two older brothers, who were also studying there.

In the United States, he joined Jacksonville State University, Alabama, and studied Criminal Justice, with minor in Political Science.

To prove doubting Thomases, who wiped up controversies around his educational qualification, wrong, he went back to school and got enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan State College in the United States, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2021.

A businessman and administrator of no mean repute, Adeleke was the humble Group Executive Director at his brother’s company, Pacific Holdings Limited from 2001 to 2016, where his credible performances shot the company to enviable heights; a height it is still enjoying till date.

It is imperative to note that before he joined Pacific Holdings Limited, Senator Adeleke worked with Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, US, as a service contractor from 1985 to 1989. His dexterity to work earned him a progression in career, and he berthed as Vice President at Origin International LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, US, a flavours and fragrance manufacturing company. His meritorious stewardship lasted a period of five years, from 1990 to 1994.

Not a few has described Adeleke as the philanthropic capital of Ede, as his influence in aiding the less privileged and downtrodden remains top notch. He is a voracious believer in community development, and has not spared any expense to see that his community receives global influence.

Politically, Adeleke is a beacon of light and hard nut to crack, having remained an albatross to opposing powers and a reference point to ideal administration.

Shortly after he lost his brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died in April 2017, he contested the Osun West 2017 Senatorial by-election after the death of his brother, emerging as the winner under the Peoples Democratic Party, where he decamped to from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Having emerged senator, Adeleke’s political influence waxed stronger, an on July 23, 2018, he emerged as the governorship candidate of PDP in Osun State after defeating Akin Ogunbiyi by seven votes. Efforts made to deprive him of the mandate was twated by the courts.

Adeleke’s lawyer in his defense claims his secondary school hasn’t come out to deny his testimonial asking the court to dismiss the Case. The court dismissed the suit stating that the plaintiff could not prove Adeleke’s forgery.

Adeleke ran for Osun state governorship election under the PDP against top contenders Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola of APC and Iyiola Omisore of SDP on 22 September 2018. The election was declared inconclusive by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) while Adeleke was leading, and a rerun slated on September 27, 2018. The candidate of the APC Oyetola was declared winner after the run-off. Adeleke protested the result describing the election as a “coup”.

Much as on March 22, 2019, the tribunal sitting in Abuja declared Adeleke the winner of the election, the Supreme Court later affirmed Gboyega Oyetola as the authentic winner of the 2018 Osun State governorship election on Friday, July 5, 2019

Popularly known as the Dancing Senator because of his penchant to joyfully react to the sounds of music, Adeleke is uncle to one of Nigeria’s popular musicians, Davido.

Governor Adeleke is married to an equally successful businesswoman and a self-made boss. They are blessed with three children who are all entertainers. They are B-Red and Shina Rambo and a daughter, Nike Adeleke. He is the uncle of one Nigeria’s primus inter pares in entertainment, Davido.

As expected, Adeleke is moving Osun State to the greatest of heights as he promised, and many who know him agree that there are still very many more in the offing.

ADELEKE’S EXTRAORDINARY EASE OF DOING BUSINESS STRATEGY

The governor has shared good news on the ease of doing business in the state as follows:

In continuation of our administration’s effort to improve the state economy and encourage the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), we have completed the harmonization of multiple taxes and levies collected by different government departments, agencies, and ministries across all business sectors of the state economy including the informal sectors into a single bill. This Harmonized Bill curates all levies, which businesses are expected to pay on an annual basis as a single bill.

This initiative is to promote ease of doing business by ensuring seamless and convenient payment of levies and taxes due to individuals and businesses across the state in equal or unequal tranches and ensure the issuance of Harmonized Bill Certificate upon completion of payment of the total amount.

I hereby note to all business owners in Osun state both in formal and informal sectors that the official online payment channels for the state is pay.irs.os.gov.ng; POS machines in Tax stations across the state; commercial banks across Nigeria; and Money Transfer Services for those outside Nigeria.

In addition, we have also completed the deployment of Automation System for improved service delivery on payment of rent and lease on government properties; processing of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) in 45 days; Electronic Affidavit System; Electronic State of Origin and Local Government Area of Origin portal; Mobile tax stations; Online Tax payment system etc.

ADMINSTRATION’S ACHIEVEMENTS AS SHARED ON NEW YEAR DAY

The governor declared as follows:

The good people of Osun state at home and abroad.

I greet you warmly with best wishes of a prosperous and blessed new year. I convey my intimate prayers that the new year will bring us new opportunities, progress and advancement as a state and in our individual lives.

I extend new year greetings to the elders of Osun state; to our royal fathers; to our religious leaders; to the young and the old; to professional elite, to artisans, to students and to womenfolk. Accept my sincere appreciation for your support before my election and for the last one year of my governorship of our dear state. I am humbled by your prayers and mass backing for our administration.

I remain firmly focused on the Five Point Agenda under which you, Osun people, elected us into office. We reaffirm our faith in the principles guiding the five point agenda which are transparency and accountability, open government, localisation, responsive leadership and attunement to citizens’ aspirations.

On the strength of the above, our government devised wholesale approach to governance such as:

●Dismantling bobby traps planted by our predecessor,
●Blocking leakages in public finance, ●Addressing the corruption and revenue diversion in the solid mineral sector,
● Restoring local government administration for grassroot development
● Embarking on mass water project provision
● Executing 91 kilometers of road construction
● Implementing free medical surgeries with over 50,000 beneficiaries;
● Total renovation of 31 schools
● Launching sport sector reforms
● Reviving the major commercial and industrial projects of the state
● Pushing for implementation of agric processing zone in Osun state;
● re-professionalisation of the public service;
● Strong attention to workers’ welfare;
● Tapping into tourism, entertainment and cultural potentials of the state;
● Ramping up efforts for a cargo and commercial airport for Osun state, among others.

Our administration achieved a lot by ensuring belt tightening, reducing cost of governance and denying ourselves many perquisites of office. As a Governor, my official expenditures are covered through the approval process rather than security votes, thereby assuring transparency and accountability.

As of today, our administration is struggling to purchase official vehicles for the state cabinet because the officials of the previous government bolted away with state vehicles. So our cabinet and other top officials have been using their private cars since we appointed them into office. Also, we are still working to renovate the official quarters vandalized by the officials of previous governments. Many of our top officials still operate from their private houses.

Despite the above handicap, our team is determined to continue to deliver on our electoral promises. I am glad to report with gratitude to God that we have remained responsive to the will and aspirations of our people. We get positive feedback and we are satisfied with our high approval ratings.

We are challenged to do more. We are prepared to make corrections where necessary as much as we will remain uncompromising when it comes to anti-corruption drive, transparency and accountability as well due process. As I always affirm, our tenure is married to rule of law and fear of God…

Adeleke is busy creating an Eldorado out of what remained of Osun State barely two years after he took over the driving seat.

Boss Picks

When Governor Adeleke Became Asiwaju of Edeland

Published

1 week ago

November 30, 2024

Eric

By Governor’s Office

OFFICIAL PROFILE OF GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE, THE NEW ASIWAJU OF EDELAND

Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun state and the new Asiwaju of Edeland is a pan Nigerian by birth, by philosophy and by worldview. Born at Enugu as a son of independence on 13th May, 1960, the new Ede frontliner widely acknowledged as the Olosun of Osun is a tactical politician, a businessman, show business activist and a humanist within philanthropism. The ever lively, urbane scion of the Adeleke family of Ede North Local Government is an innovative entrepreneur, a grassroot political figure and a strong advocate of good governance, then as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and now as the Governor of Osun State.

From his childhood, the Asiwaju is a man of complex character, a young man with multiplicity of talents and an adult with widely praised open heart, strong will and constancy of adaptation to ideas and innovations. From his secondary education at Ede Muslim Grammar School to his sojourn to the United States and tertiary education at the Jacksonville State University, Alabama where he majored in criminal justice, the Ede frontliner demonstrated deep business interest, unconventional approach and a rare mastery of intricacies of politics, business and social life.

Despite hailing from a well to do family, the Asiwaju was in the United States and Nigeria, a man in search of opportunities for self growth and advancement. His passion for self development and business prosperity occasioned his joining the Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, US, as a service contractor between 1985–1989. He progressed to Origin International LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, US, a flavours and fragrance manufacturing company where he served as Vice President from 1990 to 1994.

A suave businessman and administrator, he served as a Director of Guiness Nigeria Limited between 1992- 1999 where he contributed immensely to the expansion of the multinational company. He was later appointed Group Executive Director of Pacific Holdings Limited from 2001 to 2016. Senator Adeleke is also an acclaimed creative Industry entrepreneur and mentor. As a talented creative figure, he mentored world rated ace musicians while his family members and children are leading stars in the global music industry.

As a man ever restless in pursuit of self growth and opportunities, the Asiwaju again opted to restart his educational sojourn which he suspended because of business and entrepreneurial preoccupations. In 2019 after he was rigged out of a governorship election he clearly won, Governor Adeleke, in a can do spirit, re-enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan State College in the United States and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in 2021.

All along and considering his family background, the frontliner was for years both a political servant and leader, learning the rope from his father (Senator Ayoola Adeleke) , a second republic progressive Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, the First Executive Governor of Osun State. His business teeth were sharpened by his brother, the global business mogul, Dr Adedeji Adeleke while his political potency was strengthened by his sister, the Yeyeluwa of Edeland, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke- Sanni. The celebrant of today was eventually elected the President of the Adeleke dynasty, representing the sons and daughters of the great Adeleke family at home and abroad.

Having been thus fortified by his innate personality, his family background and his multifaceted experience, his political participation predated 1991 but he took the front seat in 2017 when he was elected with a landslide victory as a Senator for Osun West Senatorial District in 2017. His popularity reached a peak when he won the Osun 2018 governorship election before the open rigging and manipulation that was globally condemned.

As a man of steel character, the frontliner took the gauntlet again in 2022 and beat the incumbent to reclaim the stolen mandate of 2018. Imole as the Governor is popularly known has since been delivering on good governance, winning applause and praises from far and near.

In December 2023, he was honoured with a doctorate degree by the Valley View University, Accra, Ghana. The Vice Chancellor lauded the Governor’s multi-million naira education scholarship as a Senator, his sterling records on workers welfare as a Governor, his performance on infrastructure upgrades and his commitment to due process, rule of law and fear of God.

He has received several awards including the Governor of the Year Award by Champion newspapers in 2023, Sahel Standard Man of the Year in 2022, Vanguard Newspaper Governor of the Year on Infrastructure and a host of other recognition. The frontliner serves on several national governmental committees including being the representative of the South West on the National Minimum Wage Committee.

The new Asiwaju of Edeland is a strong family man, an avid sport lover, a man of God and a David of our time with incessant passion for praise singing and adulation of God Almighty.

Courtesy: Governor’s Office, 2024.

Boss Picks

Season of Awards: Renowned Publisher, Dele Momodu, Revels in Deserved Honours

Published

3 weeks ago

November 18, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

The reward for hardwork is always more work, and more work is always a function of recognition. One man has over the years dedicated his life to hard work in his chosen field of endeavour, and impacting lives positively for today and for the future. He is Aare Dele Momodu, Publisher and Chairman, Ovation Media Group.

As a result of his humane and philanthropic approach to life and in management of people and resources, Aare Momodu, a veteran journalist and a frontline social and public commentator, has been at the forefront of receiving accolades both from within the shores of Nigeria and abroad.

In recent times, the journalist-cum-part time politicial has been inundated with massive flow of awards from various groups and establishments; coming in galore and avalanche.

Not long ago, on October 9, at the Oriental Hotel, in Lagos, the celebrated journalist, was named the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) Media Icon of the Decade for his contribution to the field of journalism as well as lifting budding journalists to reach their desired heights.

The award was presented by the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who was the Distinguished Guest of Honour at the occasion, assisted by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, among other dignitaries.

In her remarks at the presentation, the Honourable Minister praised the Ovation boss for his continuous to journalism, projecting African business and political leaders as well as other Nigerians in a positive light.

“We thank you Mr Ovation for all you do and continue to do. You deserve the award, and I happily present it to you,” the Minister, who reminisced with gusto the season Ovation covered her event, said.

In his response, an elated Dele Momodu, expressed gratitude to the executives and members of NAOSNP, whom he modestly described as ‘colleagues’, for considering him for the award, saying that it is always a thing of joy when your own constituency acknowledges your good works, and shows appreciation.

“I thank the members of this association for this award. It is fulfilling when your own colleagues remember you, and support you with an award of thus type. I thank the honorable minister for being available to present it to me. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said with a sense of patriotism.

That did not only follow up a flow of Awards, but opened another floodgates of honours. On November 9, at the Golden Gate Chinese Restaurant, Momodu bagged another award as the Philanthropist Icon of the Year, he dedicated to all Nigerians, who are going through one hardship or another in the present dispensation. The award presented by Supreme Magazine, at its annual Supreme Special Recognition Awards (SUSRA).

Also on the list of forthcoming awards, Aare Momodu will on Thursday, November 22 at American Corner, Lekki, be awarded with the Global Merit Award on Social Media Impact and Talent Promotion by the Silec Initiatives Group.

Also on November 29, Momodu will, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, be recognised for his contributions to humanity at the Nigerian Most Influential Awards and Symposium 2024.

And on December 1, 2024, at Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments in Abuja will decorated with the Megastar Media Icon of the Decade.

Also on December 1 2024 Momodu will be awarded with the prestigious Celebrity African Cultural Fashion Award, in Abuja.

He has been nominated alongside other distinguished Nigerians including Richard Mofe Damijo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Earl Osaro and Obi Cubana.

According to Ambassador Judith Swaiubu, the Chief Coordinating Officer of the event, the Momodu and the others have made significant contributions towards promoting African culture.

“These individuals have made significant contributions to promoting African culture and fashion, both locally and internationally. We are honored to recognize their achievements.”

The Celebrity African Cultural Fashion Award aims to celebrate outstanding individuals who have showcased exceptional style, creativity, and dedication to African cultural heritage.

Momodu’s awards and recognitions are numerous and counting, all owing to his selfless contributions to the upliftment of the man on the street, and impact on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Born on May 16, 1960, in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Chief Dele Momodu, a distinguished African Journalist of high repute, fulfills the dictates of impeccability in credentials, testimonials and track record.

A publisher, businessman, philanthropist, and more, he runs the highly rated Ovation International Magazine, a member of the Ovation Media Group, that has given publicity to numerous personalities. Others in his line of publications are Ovation Television and The Boss Newspaper.

Momodu has redefined negative perceptions of Africa, profiling positively African personalities, using his X, Instagram and more, where his followership runs into millions.

A former presidential candidate, Momodu has a degree in Yoruba, from the Obafemi Awolowo University and Doctorates (honoris causa) from various universities, with multiple traditional titles.

He is well traveled, and has visited over 69 countries of the world.

He is married, with four children.