•The Story Of OLOLADE AJIBOLA
If you have ever had business transactions or an official appointment with the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, there is no way you wouldn’t have heard of Ololade Ajibola! She is the brilliant Special Assistant on Special Duties to the governor, and arguably the most powerful young female aide in the current dispensation. Though there are few other people who are very close to the governor and equally powerful, like Alhaji Akeem Azeez, the Personal Assistant to the governor and Benedict Akika, an ally of the governor and others, Ololade seems to be the most powerful, after another close ally of the governor, Seye Famojuro. In fact, it’s an open secret within the government circles that Ololade Ajibola commands a lot of respect and influence around the governor. Governor Makinde’s friends and associates like her, contractors and politicians accord her the deserved respect and always want to be in her good books.
The governor’s gesture of giving Ololade an opportunity to serve in his administration, we scooped, is a way of encouraging the youths to participate more in politics. As promised at the inception of his government to pay more attention to youths inclusion in governance. Little wonder then that Governor Makinde has a good number of youths in his government. Example of such appointments is that of the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Seun Fakorede, who became the youngest commissioner in Nigeria at the age of 27; Ms. Tara Adefope, a UK-trained lawyer and corporate banker, as the Director-General of Due Process Office and others. By the way, Tara Adefope is the daughter of Ambassador Ibironke Vaughan-Adefope. The beauty and excellence traits run in their family. Chief (Mrs) Ronke Adefope is one of the most celebrated and respected women in Ibadan. The former Nigerian High Commissioner to Zambia and Malawi is also one of the few people who have the ears of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Again, Governor Makinde is said to like intelligent and positive people around himself. Ololade falls into this category. She is said to be highly intelligent, committed and loyal to a fault. All these qualities are the reasons Governor Makinde, perhaps, has been giving her more responsibilities. As a tested and trusted aide. Ololade, unknown to many, has been playing major roles since the inception of this administration. She was a member of the 10-man transition committee of Makinde as governor-elect in 2019. She is also a member of the reconstituted Oyo State Waste Management Task Force. Ololade is a Socialogy graduate from the University of Ibadan. She also has a Masters degree from the same university. She had previously worked with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
While Ololade’s achievements may be surprising to some, those who know her antecedents, however, know the stuff she is made of. She is deeply rooted in the administrative settings. That of course is not surprising. Her father, Tpl Ademola Ajibola, is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning in Oyo State.
– Dare Adeniran
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