a Tribute by: Tope OYEKAN

I rejoice with my highly-revered and always-treasured Boss, Dr. Adeolu Oluseun OLUFOWOBI, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Ogun State, as he celebrates his 60th birthday today, Thursday, 25th April, 2024, and also retires from the civil service of Ogun State after almost 34 diligent, eventful, meritorious, remarkable, impactful, value-driven, and result-oriented years.

A seasoned medical practitioner and very versatile administrator, highly cerebral personality, very unassuming, cool, calm, and  collected individual, and a man of uncommon finesse; OLUFOWOBI is an embodiment of goodness.

His selfless attitude, humble disposition and leadership charisma, are worthy of emulation. 

His vast knowledge, experience, positive track records, and good attributes, are clearly evident in the discharge of his official responsibilities.

These greatly helped in his day-to-day management of both human and material resources at the Local Government Service Commission of the Gateway State.

I have no doubt in my mind, and can confidently state that he was able to competently and successfully deliver on the mandate associated with, and the responsibilities attached to the office and the position of a Permanent Secretary.

Just like i wished him while he was sworn into office as a Permanent Secretary on Friday, 17th September, 2021, OLUFOWOBI has had a successful, remarkable, and an impactful tenure.

His tenure was characterised with a lot of verifiable achievements including the promotion of work ethics, sustenance of discipline, regular training and retraining of personnel, timely promotion of officers, employment of new staff, particularly, the healthcare workers, review of Staff Regulations, and appointment of Heads of Local Government Administration.

His ingenuity was deployed in providing an  effective and efficient leadership, as he led a crop of competent professionals as management team at the commission.

His team had collaborated effectively, and operated in synergy with the political functionaries led by the Commission's Chairman, Barr. Olivia Olubukunola ONABANJO, to successfully deliver on the vision and mission statements and core principles of the commission, in line with the "Building Our Future Together" Agenda, and the "ISEYA" Mantra of the Prince Dapo ABIODUN-led administration in Ogun State.

I'm very glad, and can proudly say that it was so nice, working with such a role-model, owing to the mutual working and cordial inter-personal relationships i had with him at Ijebu East, Odeda, and Ijebu Ode Local Governments. 

If there can be such opportunity of working as a Civil Servant and a council employee once more, I'll love to work with an exceptionally-brilliant, but a very humble, and highly modest Dr. Adeolu Oluseun OLUFOWOBI.

An always soft-spoken Team-lead and Motivational Coach, one who usually radiates happiness with his constant charming smile, Dr. OLUFOWOBI, a man of few words, but much action, never allowed the lust of office or the grandeur of status/position to overwhelm him and dictate his opinion, nor direct his mindset. Rather, he is a God-fearing boss, mentor, and leader, who leads with kindness, compassion, and empathy. He is a listening boss, who respects the opinion of his subordinates, as he never sees himself as having the monopoly of wisdom in policy formulation and projects/programmes implementation.

Simply put, he is just 100% a good man extraordinary!

While wishing him a happy birthday, filled with  bountiful blessings, pleasant surprises, and more monumental achievements, i equally pray that he enjoys his retirement in good and vibrant health.

He will not retire into death, and may the good Lord grant unto him, the enablement to further serve God and humanity.

Born into the OLUFOWOBI Family of Aiyegbami Quarters in Ijebu Ode, Dr. Adeolu Oluseun OLUFOWOBI is the son of Pastor and Mrs. Emmanuel Adekunle OLUFOWOBI.

His family background and parental upbringing as the son of a priest actually resonates in his attitude.

Prior to his appointment as the Permanent Secretary on the 26th August, 2021 he was the Director, Manpower Development and Training at the Local Government Service Commission.

He had previously served as Medical Officer of Health/Primary Health Care Coordinator, and later as Head of Local Government Administration in many local governments across the state.

The seasoned medical practitioner who was employed into the local government service in July 1990 as a Medical Officer Grade II, rose to become a Chief Consultant GL 17, in 2007, and was appointed a Head of Local Government Administration GL 17 in 2014

An old boy and member of the renown JOGS  Family, Dr. OLUFOWOBI attended the Ijebu Ode Grammar School, Ijebu Ode, and subsequently proceeded to the College of Medicine, at the prestigious University of Lagos, and graduated with a MBBS - Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery Degree in 1987.

The celebrant also holds a Masters in Public Health (MPH), from the same institution in 1997, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration (PGDPA), from the Administrative  Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry in the year 2011.

A very modest personality, encouraging manager, and analytical problem-solver, Dr. OLUFOWOBI is a member of the Nigeria Medical Association, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria.

A socialite and community development advocate, he also belongs to the famous Ijebu Ode Club. His hobbies include reading, travelling, listening to music, and watching movies during his spare time.

A responsible family man, loving husband, and caring father, Dr. OLUFOWOBI is happily married to his amiable wife, Mrs. Abiola OLUFOWOBI, and the union is blessed with four wonderful and successful children;

1. Dr. Olamide OLUFOWOBI

2. Engr. Oladele OLUFOWOBI

3. Olalekan OLUFOWOBI, and 

4. Oladipupo OLUFOWOBI

I wish him an eventful and remarkable celebration today, as he is being honoured and celebrated by family, colleagues, and friends, and I pray that the good Lord grant him a more healthy, fulfilling, and purposeful life after retirement, and equally prayed that God will Be With Him Till We Meet Again.

My sincere and heartfelt felicitations and esteem regards to Dr. Adeolu Oluseun OLUFOWOBI, FCPA.

Tope OYEKAN

A retired Deputy Director of Information, and former Head, Information, Education, and Sports, Ikenne Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria, sent this piece via 

[email protected]