I am sure many people may have not heard of Iloko Ijesa, a community in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State located at about 9 Square kilometres North – East of Ilesa, the center of IJESA KINGDOM that was founded about 1113 A. D until the late Oba Oladele Olashore (Ajagbusi Ekun), the Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa moved to his native town and built the prestigious Olashore International School in 1994.
Oba Oladele Olashore who was a great lover of education as easily attested to by his proprietorship of the renowned Olashore International School.
Oba Oladele Olashore’s dream was to achieve an international standard in his hometown, but many wealthy people would prefer to locate such citadel of learning in a business district for benefits.
But Oba Oladele Olashore as a result of his love and passion for the development of his home town, he made it an international institution and he brought teachers from all over and placed the community on the world map ans the school built reputation across the shores and Nigerians in the diaspora gladly sent their wards to attend this village – international standard school.
As a result of late Oladele Olashore’s yearning for a more affordable and qualitative education fronted the establishment of Iloko Model College, a truly model school that has established its credentials with the outstanding performance of its students in national examinations. Iloko Model College is meant for the less financially endowed members of the community but is of the highest quality.
He also took it upon himself by renovating and recruiting quality and outstanding teachers with state of the art facilities to the community’s Primary School, Local Authority Primary School, Iloko Ijesa which placed it on a different pedestal.
The late Kabiyesi who was an astute businessman, and educationist also made his mark in the field of higher education, the hallmark of which was his appointment as the pioneer Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), in Ikeji-Arakeji, where he single handedly constructed a multi-million Naira multipurpose hall that stands regally on the premises of that fledgling institution.
Aside from these, the late Oladele Olashore also established Royal Part International Hotel (a 5 star hotel) with international taste. Iyaniwura Bakery, Fashion Designing Outfit among others.
He also used his connections as a respected figure in the banking industry to locate a branch of the defunct AfriBank to to Community as well as other developmental strides.
Oba Oladele Olashore until his death was a recipient of Commander of Niger (a national honour in Nigeria).
He was born on 17th February, 1935 to the family of Late Oba Samuel Oyerinde Olashore and attended Offa Grammar School from 1951 to 1956, College of Administration, University of Ghana from 1959 to 1961, Leads College of Commerce, England from 1961 to 1963.
Late Oba Oladele Olashore was appointed as Accountant, British Petroleum Nigeria Limited from 1964 to 1967, Director of Banking Supervision and Chief Bank Examiner of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from 1967 to 1980.
Late Oba Oladele Olashore was also appointed as the Managing Director of International Bank for West Africa Limited from 1980 to 1984, Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Limited from 1984 to 1987, Chief Executive Officer of Lead Consult Limited (a financial and management Consultancy company) since 1988.
He was thereafter appointed Secretary of Finance in 1993 and also served as member of vision 2010 committee.
He was a fellow of Institute of Chattered Accountant of Nigeria, fellow Chattered Association of Certified Accountants, fellow Institute of Bankers, London.
Associate, Institute of Chattered Secretaries and Administrators, Associate Member, Nigeria Institute of Management.
He was a member of Lagos Boat Club, Lagos Tennis Club and Ikoyi Club, Lagos State.
He was coronated as the Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa, the position he occupied after his late father, Oba Samuel Oyerinde Olashore from 1994 till 2012.
The Ajabusi Ekun, Aloko of Iloko, Iloko Ijesa, Osun State, Nigeria, Oba Oladele Olashore died at 77 in a London Hospital.
He received lots of awards which includes; Bankers of the Year 1987 Award by Alfa Communication Limited, Lagos.
He also authored among others; Policy Issues on Nigerian Banking and Economic Management, Perspective on Finance Banking and Economic Policy in Nigeria (Heinemann, Ibadan 1989).
He loved walking, reading and playing tennis.
He was married and blessed with four sons and two daughters.
Oba Olashore had left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
Written by: Adejola Adeyemi Crown
adejola2010@gmail.com
07066518087
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, the Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa moved to his native town and built the prestigious Olashore International School in 1994.){kind=link}