Ladi Adebutu scores another political point in Ogun as Yewa people celebrate his achievements
*As New Fiwagboye of Owode celebrates friends, family
Following the trail of many known Yoruba legends whose character and hardwork usually attract honour and acceptance to them even from different tribes and cultures, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu is assuming the status of “Man of the People” in Ogun State across different sections as honours, garlands, and traditional titles keep rolling from various quarters.
On the 24th February, 2017, son of the Pool/lotto magnate, Sir Kensington Adebutu popularly known as Baba Ijebu and chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural and Rural Development was conferred with the Otunba Fiwagboye of Owode in Yewa Kingdom with his beloved Olori Adenike Adebutu who also becomes Yeye Otunba Fiwagboye of Owode in Yewa.
Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu also celebrated by his political mates, friends and family on Saturday 25th of February in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital as he was a year older
In other words, let’s briefly look at this man of honour’s profile.
Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu was born in Lagos State on 25th February, 1962 into the family of Sir. Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, OON, CON, KJW and Dame Caroline Oladunni Adebutu. His father is the Balogun and Babaoba of Iperu Remo; Akogun of Remoland, the Olotu as well as the Asoju Oba of Lagos.
He hails from the renowned Adebutu Family of Eti-Obale, Iperu Remo, and the Apondele Royal Family of Ode Remo, while the mother is the Yeyemode of Iperu Remo, Apesin of Lagos and Yeyeoba of Odogbolu and she hails from the Jaiyesimi Okuwa family of Odogbolu.
He started his elementary education at the International Day Nursery School, Yaba in 1964, before proceeding to St. Saviours Primary School, Oke-Ira, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. He later proceeded to Igbobi College where he obtained West African School Certificate in 1978.
Upon the completion of his Secondary Education, he traveled abroad where he studied at the St. Columbas College, Rathfarnham, Dublin and obtained the Irish Leaving Certificate in 1980. He commenced his tertiary education at the National Institute of Higher Education, Limerick, Republic of Ireland. He also attended the Regional Technical College at Athlone and Carlow in the Republic of Ireland between 1981 and 1984.
Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu through his dint of hard work and brilliant academic exploit acquired the following academic qualifications: • Irish Leaving Certificate (1980) – Pre-Degree equivalent • Irish National Certificate (1983) – National Diploma equivalent • Irish National Diploma (1984) – B.Sc equivalent (Analytical Chemistry). He had his primary assignment in the National Youth Service Corps Scheme in Biu, Borno State between 1987 and 1988. He worked briefly at Kesington Industries, Iperu Remo between 1988 and 1991. In 1991, he became the Chief Executive Officer of JB Farms Ltd and established Solomon Kesington Agro-Allied Limited shortly afterwards. He is still the Chief Executive Officer of one of the largest livestock farms in the country.
He also serves on the board of the Premier Lotto Limited as an Executive Director. He is the Chairman/CEO of LADO Tourism and Real Estate Limited. Hon. Oladipupo O. Adebutu is a politician of high repute; he became a member of the National Assembly in 1992 on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), when he represented Remo Federal Constituency. He was a Senatorial Aspirant under the United National Congress Party (UNCP) in 1998, as well as a National Assembly Aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2003, 2007 and 2011 respectively.
He was appointed as Full-Time Commissioner II in the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission in Sept. 2007. In October 2007, he was upgraded to Full-Time Commissioner I within a period of one month because of the zeal he brought to the job. During his stint at the LGSC, he was instrumental to the appointment, promotion, conversion, upgrading, and training of Local Government workers across the state.
He also used his good office to secure employment for several Ogun state sons and daughters in other parastatals and agencies of government.
He was elected member of the 8th National Assembly during the March 28th, 2015 General Elections, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State, at the House of Representatives, Abuja , where on account of his ranking status and experience as a lawmaker in the National Assembly, he became Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.
COMMUNITY MOBILIZER & SOCIALITE
Through his deep grassroots commitment and love for his native land, he was appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Akesan Day Celebrations Committee in the year 2007. He was able to use his contacts to raise substantial funds for the development of the community during that remarkable event.
In appreciation of his invaluable developmental strides, he was honoured with the Chieftancy titles of the Okanlomo of Iperu Remo, by the Alaperu of Iperu, Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo, Odoru V.
He was also conferred with Aruwajoye of Ode Remo by the Alaye of Ode Remo, Oba (Surv.) Amidu Oso, Daniyan II and the Otun Ajagungbade of Remo land by the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remoland, late Oba (Dr.) Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, Erinjugbo II.
A detribalized Nigerian, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu was also conferred with the highly-reverred title of Maiyakin by the Nupe Community in Remo land. Hon. Ladi (as he is fondly called by numerous admirers) Adebutu was also conferred with the prestigious title of the Otunba Nawo Ola of Odogbolu by His Royal Highness, Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa, the Alaye of Odogbolu.
A socialite of no mean standing, he belongs to the famous Akesan (Iperu) Club 1954 and the prestigious Remo Club (1937). He is a member of the renowned Island Club of Lagos.
LADO AS A RELIGIOUS MAN
A devout Christian, who aside from being committed to various works of humanity, also understands the importance of spiritual balance; thus, he is very involved and committed to God’s work. He is an active member of the Celestial Church of Christ and the Patron of Celestial Church of Christ, Tiwadire, Ipinle Ogbon, Iwera Parish, Sagamu. He also holds the title of Baba Ewe of the Methodist Church, Ibu Road, Iperu Remo and Patron, African Church, Odogbolu.
A SPORTS ENTHUSIAST
Hon. Ladi Adebutu, an ardent soccer lover is the Proprietor of the LADI ADEBUTU FC; Patron of Remo Football Academy and Ikenne Local Government Football Council. A loyal fan of the Chelsea FC of England, he has successfully sponsored the first and second editions of LADI ADEBUTU Under-20 Football Competition for Youths in the Ogun East senatorial district.
Some of the talents discovered during the competition, Ibrahim Deinde, Ayodele Femi and Udoh Akpan have played for the National under 13, 15 and 17 respectively. Udoh Akpan is the First Choice goal keeper of the Victorious Golden Eaglets at the 2015 Junior World Cup held in Chile.
PHILANTROPIC ACTIVITIES
A philanthropist par-excellence, Hon. Adebutu had with his God-given resources executed various philanthropic acts which include: construction of roads, drainages and classrooms; provision of bursaries and scholarship awards to less-privileged students in both secondary and Tertiary institutions of learning; organization of free health care programme; Vocational Skill Acquisition Programme for the Youths; sponsorship of the Babcock University Students Association (BUSA) annual Inter departmental debate competition; Economic empowerment for the people at the grassroots; provision of vehicles; donation of Electric Transformers to communities; construction of N2.5million ICT Resource Centre at Ilisan; Construction of Sports Pavilion at Federal Government Girls College, Sagamu; Drilling of Borehole at Orile Oko, Remo North LGA; Construction of Drainage and Canal at Agura, Sabo, Sagamu; Establishment of Viewing Centers in the 35 wards of the Remo Federal Constituency; donation of N5 million worth of building materials towards the Olofin of Ilisan’s new palace project; Donation of #5 Million worth of building materials towards the construction of the Ereke Civic Centre, Ikenne and construction of Mosque for Nupe Community in Shagamu. He is also instrumental to the completion of the Ode Remo Town Hall while he played a leading role in the construction of the Alaye of Ode Remo’s Palace, with a donation of #5 million worth of building materials towards the palace project.
Aside these are his constant support towards the programmes and projects of several religious, social, political and non-governmental organizations, as well as the student and labour unions.
In acknowledgment of his feats in many areas of human endeavours, he has received several honours, awards, amongmwhich are;
1. Award of Excellence, Ogun State Youths Association
2. Distinguished Citizen of Ode Remo (DCOR)
3. Award of Excellence, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE), Ogun State.
4. Award of Excellence, Forum of Remo Indigenes in the Ogun State Local Government Service.
5. Commendation Award, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State.
6. Recognition Award, Babcock University Students Association (BUSA)
7. Appreciation Award, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR)
8. Appreciation Award, NASFAT
9. Award of Honour, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun Joint Campus Committee (JCC)
10. Award of Excellence, Remo Students Association, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic
11. Award of Excellence, Ilisan Youth Development Association
12. Pillar, Nigeria Football (Referees) Association
13. Recognition Award, Isara Community Development Association
14. Merit Award, Odogbolu Community Development Council
15. Doctor of Science (DSc.Honoris Causa), Universite Bilingue Libre du Togo, Lome
16. Legislator of The Year Award by The City People Magazine
17. Gender Friendly Award by The National Council of Women Societies.
A versatile politician with bias for the people at the grassroots, a highly industrious individual and a very amiable, humble and accommodating personality; someone who believes that success in life is irrelevant, if it is not relevant to the need of others; a true and genuine leader who having discovered himself and his purpose for living is greatly committed to exploring and expressing himself fully to the glory of God and benefit of mankind.
A generous giver to whom service to humanity remains his heritage; whose guiding principle lies in the words of the great English Author-Albert Pine, which says: “What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others and the world remains; and it is immortal”
A loving husband and caring father, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu is married to Yeye Adenike Adebutu and the marriage is blessed with children. As the Member of the Federal House of Representatives (Ikenne/ Sagamu / Remo North Federal Constituency), Hon. Oladipupo O. Adebutu, has sponsored Motions on the Floor of the House calling attention to some critical areas where legislative action is required.
He raised the pertinent matter of the Sagamu- Ogijo – Mosimi-Ikorodu Road, a 25-km Federal Highway linking Ogun and Lagos States, which hosts several economically- strategic installations such as the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC). The highway serves as a major distribution route for petroleum products to various parts of the country, but its abysmal state, poses grave danger to lives and property.
He has also highlighted the structural challenges relating to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway and their impact on motorists, pedestrians and host communities alike. He called for relevant repairs and the construction of pedestrian bridges along the routes to ensure safety for all road users.
Hon. Adebutu has consistently championed issues of safety on Nigeria’s major highways and said that he would like to see an improvement in their condition, as a way of reducing the high incidence of injuries and fatal road crashes.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Development, he regularly speaks on behalf of rural dwellers who form a large percentage of the total population and are responsible for food production in Nigeria. He continues to state his thoughts on the need to develop a new approach towards Rural Integrated Development in Nigeria. To add weight to his views on this, he sponsored a Motion urging the Federal Government to give rightful attention to the rural populace by accommodating their needs in Budgets and National Planning.
As a Member of several House Committees such as National Planning and Economic Development, Local Content, Basic Education Services and Urban Development and Regional Planning, he makes regular contributions to discussions and fully participates in strategizing on oversight activities for Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
During the House Debates on the 2016 Budget proposals, Hon. Adebutu made a robust contribution on the floor of the House calling for rural development to be accorded the funding it requires to effect the necessary changes.
Agriculture is also an area of interest for him. During a media parley in Abuja, Hon. Adebutu observed that: “Nigeria must as a matter of urgency, adopt wholesale, agri-business as a strategy to earn revenue from processed agricultural exports.”
Hon. Adebutu has also translated his concepts for good governance into several empowerment and welfare schemes for members of his constituency. These range from Skills Acquisition Programmes, Community Development Projects to Trade Establishment and Scholarship Schemes.
I appreciate the real-life examples.