That nature has blessed Africa with not only natural resources, but also with a growing superstore of human resources cannot be overemphasized.
Fifty three years ago, in the sleepy but rapidly-developing town of Omi-Adio, via Ibadan, Nigeria, late Mr. Owen Adeyinka Olowofela and his loving wife, late Mrs. Elizabeth Ajibike Olowofela were blessed with a baby boy named Joseph Adeniyi Adisa Olowofela.
The boy is now Professor Joseph Adeniyi Olowofela, an academician of national and international repute, a grassroots mobilizer, political scientist, social crusader, human rights activist and an epitome of celebrated achievements whose contributions to the socio-political landscape of his community and state cannot be written off. His ilk constitutes great blessings to the black race.
The boy Adeniyi attended Hope Central Primary School, Omi –Adio between 1969 and 1975 before proceeding to United Christian Secondary School, Omi-Adio between 1976 and 1981.
Professor Adeniyi Olowofela later proceeded to the prestigious University of Ibadan – the premier University in Nigeria – between 1982 and 1986 to earn his Bachelor of Science in Physics.
A man born to fly and blessed with a courageous heart, despite having his primary and secondary education in rural schools, young Olowofela stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his peers born with silver spoons in the university and distinguished himself with his scholarly attributes.
He went further to bag his second degree and Doctorate degree from the same University thereby specializing as a Geophysicist in 1987 and from 1989 to 1995 respectively.
As a cerebral and highly respected scholar of no mean stature, he holds various professional qualifications which include: Certificate in Seismic Hazard Assessment obtained from Potsdam, Germany; Certificate in Water Resources in Flensburg, Germany; Certificate in Microprocessors obtained from the United Nation University, Rome, Italy as well as the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) Italy among others.
Professor Olowofela is married to Mrs. Wuraola Olowofela, herself a humble, amiable, caring, beautiful, dutiful, hardworking, loving wife and mother.
As scholarly prowess runs in the Olowofela family, Wuraola is also a teacher. They are blessed with children – Adenike, Adetola, Adeolu, Adeola and Adejare.
Taking his destiny in his hands, he worked at various times as a Laboratory Demonstrator and Tutorials, as well as Chief Examiner and Laboratory Supervisor at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, between 1995-1999. He lectured at the same University for almost ten years before leaving for University of Agriculture, Abeokuta where he rose to the position of Head of the Physics Department.
To the glory of God, Olowofela has successfully groomed over 30,000 students, supervised close to sixty (60) B.Sc. projects and more than ten (10) Ph. D projects. It is notable that some of his erstwhile students are now Professors and Associate Professors. He has more than forty-one publications to his credit, two of which are being used by University students in Germany till today.
In recognition of his contributions to the growth of Science and Technology in Nigeria and Excellence in his Profession, the apex body of Physicists, Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP) on 28th October, 2014 endowed him with an Award for Excellence.
Olowofela’s story is a testimony to the fact that there is no limit to what a person can achieve irrespective of how humble his/her beginning might be. For a man born and schooled in a village and selling bean cakes on the streets of Omi-Adio to have made it by dint of hard work and remarkable brilliance to the zenith of his career at a relatively young age, other young person’s should find a role model in Joseph Olowofela.
Blessed with a passion to lift the fortunes of his community with the desire to right societal wrongs, while promoting freedom and social justice, Joseph Olowofela joined active politics in the 80’s not because of the filthy lucre associated with politics in Nigeria.
He rather worked with a group of young activists and idealists with the sole objective of advocating for the improvement of the lots of his people and ensuring that young men and women coming after him in the community have a better deal through responsive, responsible and effective governance.
According to Professor Olowofela, “to whom much is given much is expected. I believe we all have a responsibility to give back to the society in whatever way we can. Whether we give out of our material substance, or through our time, dedication and effort, it is important to recognize that everyone has something to give and we all benefit from one another in different ways”.
In his political sojourn that is marked with passionate desire and painstaking efforts towards rendering services to the society, he has served different parties and governments in various capacities which include:
National Delegate - National Republican Convention (NRC), 1990.
He was appointed Member, Governing Council, Oyo State College of Education, Oyo between 1999-2003 by the His Excellency, Alhaji Lam Adesina (late), while the council was headed by Professor Lekan Oyedeji.
Party Chairman, Alliance for Democracy (AD), Ido Local Government, Oyo State, 2002-2003.
Chairmanship Candidate, All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), (he won the controversial election conducted by His Excellency, Senator Rasidi Ladoja in 2007).
He was appointed Transition Committee Chairman- Ido Local Government, Oyo State by His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, August 2011 till November 2014.
Prior to his assumption of duty as Ido Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ido is the largest Local Government in Ibadan land, Oyo State but was rated lowest in terms of development and recognition among Local Governments in the State. What a man cannot propagate before his death is not success.
Heroes are ordinary people, but with extraordinary determination. Professor Adeniyi Olowofela rose from simple but sterling backgrounds to enviable prominence. The articulate University Don has made the guiness book of record for being one of the first Professors in the history of our great nation; Nigeria to become a Council Chairman, if not the first.
To the glory of God, Olowofela emerged as the Overall Best perfomed Local Government Chairman in Nigeria, 2012 at the 19th edition of National Award for Excellence in Grassroot Leadership by Grassroot Leadership Centre, Abuja.
Similarly, he also emerged as the Overall Best performed Local Chairman in Nigeria, 2012 on Works/Education at the 10th edition of the All Nigerian Local Government Chairmen Merit Award (LOGMA 2012) by Mentors Communication, Abuja.
Equally, In 2013, he emerged as Oodua Hero Council Chairman, an award presented by the Yoruba Youth Development Council (YYDC). Merit awards were also presented by several bodies in recognition of his contributions to the society such as : the Student Union Government (SUG), Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter to mention but a few.
Professor Olowofela's humanitarian services informed the decision of Rotarian Bayo Ajidagba - led Rotary Club of Oluyole Estate, Ibadan (R.I. District 9125, Nigeria)
to bestowed on him A Merit Award.
to bestowed on him A Merit Award.
He has applied his intellect, experience and expertise for a vivid demonstration of the reformation, repositioning and restructuring agenda of His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Executive Governor of Oyo State in Ido Local Government where he holds sway.
Through his efforts, he has been able to revived, redeemed and reclaimed the lost glory of Ido Local Government thereby putting it back on track in line with the lofty dreams of the founding fathers of the local government.
Today, far famed sons and daughters are now interested in the councils' business of governance.
His achievements speak volumes of his tenacity, brilliance and innovativeness.
He is now a commissioner appointed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
By Apesin Ayodele Idowu#
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