Back to his Roots in Style
By Kazeem Akintunde
Monday, May 05, 2008
It was celebration galore as Alex Akinyele, former Information minister clocks 70 years and relocates to Ondo, his birth place in Ondo State
The Ondo town in Ondo State came alive for three days between April 24 and 26 when Alex Akinyele, former minister of Information returned to the place of his birth permanently after more than four decades' sojourn in Lagos. Akinyele, who clocked 70, April 24, bade Lagos goodbye and many of his business associates, friends and well-wishers in the city followed him to Ondo to celebrate with him and wish him luck in his future endeavours.
Top executive officers of Binatone and Newswatch Communications Limited, were on hand to rejoice with Akinyele, who is the chairman of the two companies. Oba Victor Kiladejo, Jilo III, Osemawe of Ondo led prominent indigenes of the town to welcome Akinyele back home.
The journey back home which coincided with Akinyele's birthday celebration began April 24, with the launch of a book titled Alex Akinyele: The PR Super Star. Ibrahim Babangida, former military president led other dignitaries to the book launch.
Segun Olusola, former Nigeria ambassador to Ethiopia who was the chairman of the event described Akinyele as a worthy son of Ondo who has contributed his quota to the development of the state in particular, and Nigeria in general. He told the audience that Akinyele wrote the first 13 series of the popular but now rested village headmaster (a television soap opera) which shot him and other members of the cast to national limelight.
Babangida, who was the special guest of honour described Akinyele as a true friend and a worthy son of Ondo who brought glamour and warm to the federal executive council under him. "Throughout the period we worked together, Akinyele was loyal and dedicated to his work. I shall cherish his friendship for the rest of my life," Babangida said.
Babangida later launched the book with N2.5 million on behalf of his friends and family. Speaking with Newswatch later, the former president who declined to comment on national issues said he had to set aside all other engagements to honour Akinyele for being a trusted friend. "We weathered the storm together while in government and my being here today is a way of saying that I appreciate what he did for me in those days," Babangida said. A shopping mall built by Akinyele in the town was also commissioned by Babangida.
On the second day of the three-day event, the final of the Ondo State Football League was played between Idanre Football Club and Works Rangers Football Club of Akure at the Ondo Township Stadium as part of activities marking Akinyele's 70th birthday.
The stadium built by Akinyele in 1990 while he was the chairman of the National Sports Commission was in a state of complete disrepair, and a sad Akinyele lamented government's neglect of the sport edifice. He promised to get other prominent Ondo indigenes together to organise a fund raising for the complete overhaul of the sports complex. It was at this stage that Olusegun Dabo, chairman, Ondo State Sports Council informed the audience that the state government had set aside N10 million in this year's budget for the renovation of the complex adding that the repair would be carried out in the third quarter of the year. At the end of the thrilling football match, Works Rangers defeated their rivals from Idanre by a lone goal.
The birthday event was rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the All Saints Anglican Church, Ogbonkowo, Ondo. Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo led over 20 royal fathers which included the Osemawe and the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi to the venue. Gabriel Lasebikan, bishop of Ondo Diocese, in his sermon, described Akinyele as a brilliant but rascal individual with an intimidating profile. Lasebikan said Akinyele is one of the few sons of Ondo who has contributed immensely to the development of the town even while residing in Lagos. He, however, added that after attaining the age of 70, and with his decision to settle down permanently in Ondo, Akinyele should devote the rest of his life to the growth and development of the town. "It is good that you have decided to permanently relocate to Ondo. Now you have more work to do for the development of the town and the church," he said.
He prayed that God would give Akinyele the strength and wisdom to continue to serve the Lord and humanity. After of the church service, a reception was held at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre with King Sunny Ade on the band stand.
Akinyele later told Newswatch that the perennial traffic gridlock on Lagos roads as well as the need to serve his people forced him back to the place of his birth. "On most days, I spent not less than two hours on the road from my house to the office and two hours back home. It got to a stage that I could no longer cope with it. Aside from that, I want to assist the Kabiyesi, Oba Victor Kiladejo, Osemawe of Ondo, Jilo III in the administration of the town. I also want to use the opportunity to take care of my business interests in the town," Akinyele said.
Oba Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo described Akinyele as a flamboyant man who brought glamour and humour into governance. "He has proved that he is an embodiment of the Yoruba culture who respects the traditional institution," Adeyemi said.
Ifeolu Adeniyan, Akinyele's friend of more than 40 years, described him as a dependable and compassionate person who loves to help others. "He relates well with the poor even though he is a rich man, an attribute that is very rare among rich Nigerians.
Bayo Akinyele, one of his sons described his father as the kindest, nicest, caring and fun-loving man.
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