BIOGRAPHY OF OBA MICHAEL ADEDOYIN OLOKUNBOLA (THE OLUKUN OF IKUN AKOKO, ONDO STATE)

Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola was born to the Christian family of Late Pa. Asakula Olokunbola and Madam Iwanike Ruth Olokunbola of Ode-Olukun Royal family at Owalukun Quarters, Ikun Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government, Ondo state Nigeria on June 27^th, 1952.

EDUCATION

He attended Holy Trinity Primary School Ikun Akoko between January 1959 and December 1964. Between 1966 and 1967, he attended Christ Apostolic Church Secondary Modern School, Ikun Akoko but did not wait to complete the third year of the Modern School calendar.

In the year 1968, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola gained admission into St. Patrick’s College, Iwaro Oka, from where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1972. As a result of his success in the West African School Certificate Examination, he enrolled for the Correspondence Course of the Royal Institute of Salesmanship, London, from where he obtained a Diploma in Salesmanship of the institution.

PUBLIC SERVICE

In search for golden haven, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola joined the Nigerian Board of Customs and Excise Service as Officer of Customs and Excise on an annual salary scale level four (04) on the 23^rd of October, 1973. Kabiyesi rose through the ranks to the substantive position of Chief Superintendent of Customs; the position he held until he voluntarily retired from the public service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after 34 years of meritorious service on the 21^st of May, 2007. During his career in the public service, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola attended various courses and training on modern techniques for efficiency and effectiveness in the public service.

ASCENSION TO THRONE

In 2003, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola became the 8^th Olukun of Ikun Akoko following the demise of the late Oba Timothy Adelusi Ademuyiwa who reigned and ruled in Ikun Akoko for 45 years (1954-1999).

Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola, a descendant of Oba Olubobokun (the 4^th Oba to reign in Ikun Akoko), ascended the throne of his fore fathers as the Olukun of Ikun Akoko on May 20^th, 2003. Since his ascension to the throne ten years ago, Ikun Akoko has witnessed tremendous peace, progress and community developments. His reign has unlocked the padlock of various developments concerning human and financial capital in every nook and cranny of Ikun Akoko.

 

ACHIEVEMENTS

Some of the numerous projects and successes recorded so far within the period he has been on the throne are:-

i.                    The elevation of the position of the Olukun of Ikun from category D to C in the upgrading of Recognised Traditional Obas embarked upon by the Ondo State Government immediately after Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola was installed as the Olukun of Ikun Akoko.

ii.                  Allocation and siting of Federal Government projects in the town which were never there before his enthronement. Presently the community is blessed with the following Federal Government projects:

Ø  59 units of solar powered street lights in the community. This was the first of its kind in the whole of Akoko in Ondo State.

Ø  Skills Acquisition Centre located along Oba Road.

Ø  8 solar powered boreholes sited at strategic locations in the community.

Ø   Two 500kVA transformers installed to energise new developing areas of the community.

Ø  Completed two buildings each with six classrooms located at Ajagbokun High School to complement the existing classroom buildings.

Ø  Completion of one building with modern equipment by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), for the Basic Health Centre located along Iwaro Road, opposite Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church.

Ø  Location of indoor games Mini-Stadium at Idofin Quarters. Although work is yet to commence on this project.

Ø  Completion of one modern market at Idofin Quarters.

iii.                Attraction and Emplacement of Developmental Projects from the State Government.

Through his connection and loyalty to the Ondo State Government, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola secured the following projects for the community:

a.      Assistance of the State Government to complete the modern Town Hall embarked upon by the Ikun Progressive Union with the emplacement of a borehole.

b.      Erection of six concrete poles with string/cable to developing areas of the community.

c.       Supply of 500kVA Transformer in addition to the existing 200kVA transformer, and the two from the Federal Government.

d.      Secured Twenty Million Naira (N20 Million) loan from the World Bank to execute certain developmental projects through the Ondo State Community and Social Development Agency. The projects include the following:

1.      Erection of concrete poles with string wire/cable to areas earmarked for estate or new town development.

2.      Re-roofing and renovation of the two old buildings of eight classrooms at Ajagbokun High School.

3.      Construction of a bridge on Omigba stream in IBAKA META Community and one on a stream along Mosafejo road at Isolo in IROKUN Community.

The three projects are nearly completed.

e.      The Akoko South West Local Government on its part sited some projects too in the community including:

·         Modern information Centre

·         Provision of six public toilets

·         Two lock-up shops

·         Two classrooms each built in all the three primary schools in the community

At the home front Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola is a pioneering member and sponsor of the Ikun Day Planning Committee of the Ikun Progressive Union, with the first Ikun Day held in August 1991.In terms of ranking, Ikun Akoko was second to Usi Ekiti in the era of community day celebration in the old Ondo State now comprising Ondo and Ekiti states. The Ikun Day now holds on the third Saturday in the month of August each year. The celebration affords all sons and daughters of Ikun at home and in diaspora to come home and unite together to plan for the development of the town.

Due to the love and desire for education of his people, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola donated two sets of computers with a standby generator to Ajagbokun High School to assist students in their computer studies.

POLITICAL AFFILIATION

Considering the sensitive position of traditional rulers, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola without any political affiliation, welcomes all political parties in the town. The traditional kingship position has made it mandatory for him to accommodate the political party in government or any government in power (AGIP). Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola sees himself as father to all political parties in town.

RELIGIOUS INCLINATION

Contrary to the traditional religious inclination of traditional rulers, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola is a Christian and an ordained Pastor of the Acts of the Apostle Church Int., with Headquarters in Akure, Ondo state capital. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (FECTRON) and also a member of the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International (FGBMFI) - Akoko Obas Stategic Chapter. In order to affirm the sanctity of Christendom and the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola went on holy pilgrimage to the State of Israel where he visited Jerusalem and other memorable places in the year 2008.

It is believed that a king in Yoruba land cannot marry only one wife. However, being a Christian, Oba Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola is happily married to only one wife; Olori Mabel Chinyere Olokunbola, daughter of late Rev. Theophillus Igbokwe in Atta Ikeduru village, Owerri in Imo state. The marriage is blessed with children.  

Oba Pastor Michael Adedoyin Olokunbola (JP) is a good listener, loveable, amiable and non-assertive. He is a peacemaker, truly democratic, effective, efficient and highly consistent traditional monarch.