ILLUSTRIOUS SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ILOBU, (VOLUME TWO) 8TH EDITION

Life is pictured by some deep thinkers as a drama orchestrated, directed, filmed and presented to mortals by God. Man’s struggle to survive is just an effort towards achieving the role(s) prepared for him by his creator. Thus, my focus is on a man who lost his father; the bread winner of the family at a very tender age and yet still made it to the top of his chosen career. With every precious step that he took, he was moving closer to his destiny.

Alhaji Omotayo Alalade Bashir Ajayi was born at Ipasa-Oye, Surulere Local Government, Oyo State on the 2nd of March, 1961 to Pa Salam Ayinde and Madam Saadat Awero of Ajankanawon’s Compound, Ilobu. Unfortunately, his father died on the 10th of November 1966 after a brief illness when he had not even started schooling. With the support of his mother’s elder sister, Madam Safurat Alice Adeyemo of Onilewe’s Compound (Engineer Wole Adeyemo’s Step Mum), he was enrolled at St Michael Primary School, Ilobu in 1967 with his immediate younger brother; Ademola Ajayi. As a result of Government policy to merge School then, he was taken to Methodist Primary school, Ilobu in 1969, where he was until 1970 when he had to move again as a result of some domestic problems to Methodist Primary school, Ilajue in 1970 where he completed his primary education in 1972 with 15 other boys. He later attended St Paul’s Modern School, Ilobu between 1973 and 1974, Ebekun Secondary Commercial Grammar School, Iresi between 1974 and 1979 and passed his School Certificate in flying colours. He proceeded to the Oyo State school of Science (OSCAS), Ile-Ife between 1980 and 1982. In quest for a university education, he went to the University of Lagos where he bagged his first degree in Finance between 1982 and 1985. Alhaji Omotayo Alalade Bashir Ajayi surged further to the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, where he bagged a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Science in 2000/2001.

After his graduation from the university, he had his National Youth Service programme at Omupo Grammar school, Omupo, Kwara State in 1985/1986. He worked briefly as the Financial Manager of Framehold Nigeria Limited between 1986 and 1987. In 1987, he took another appointment with the Federal Mortgage Bank, Lagos where he served meritoriously between 1987 and 1989. He joined the service of Oyo State Local Government Commission in 1989 as an Internal Auditor. This made him to work in various Local Governments both in Oyo and Osun States (as a result of the creation of Osun State in 1991 which led to his redeployment to Osun) between 1989 and 1993. In 1993, he rose to the position of the Director of Finance with the Osun State Local Government Service Commission. With this position which he has held till date, he has served at various Local Governments in Osun state.

Alhaji Omotayo Alalade Bashir Ajayi believed so much in professionalism. Hence, against all odds, he went in pursuance of a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso between 2008 and 2010. No doubt, he is a guru in the area of Finance and Administration. In 2001 he became a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountant of Nigeria. In 2002, he also became a member of the Institute of Cost Management Accountant. In 2004 he crowned it up by becoming a certified member of the Association of Nigeria National Accountant (with registration number 5687). Thus, his erudition and expertise in the area of Finance and administration is worthy of appreciation and emulation by aspiring financial and administrative experts.

Without mincing words his rise to glory is indeed an inspiration to the up-coming ones. His zeal and determination to support the youths and youths programme has in no small measure assisted the younger generation to better organize themselves for a greater tomorrow. His contribution to community service is also worth mentioning; he selflessly served Ilobu Development Union as the National Financial Secretary between 2006 and 2010. In recognition of his contribution to IDU and the community as the Financial Secretary, he was voted as the National President of Ilobu Development Union and served for two terms between 2010 and 2014.

Hence, considering his erudition and service to the people of Ilobu via Ilobu Development Union, I humbly present Alhaji Omotayo Alalade Bashir Ajayi to the whole world for appreciation and recognition as an illustrious son of Ilobu Asake.

Dare Alabi,
Project Director