•The Story Of Baba Egbe Of Egbe Gbobaniyi (Obinrin) OLANREWAJU
Senator Anthony Adefuye is one of the respected men that will be at this year’s Ojude Oba in Ijebu-Ode. The reason is obvious. He is the Baba Egbe of one of the Regberegbe groups in Ijebu. He is the Baba Egbe of Egbe Gbobaniyi (Obinrin) Olanrewaju Akile Ijebu. Let’s tell you more about this seasoned Lagos politician. He is an accomplished Engineer, successful businessman, philanthropist of note, astute politician, effective statesman, and Senator (Chief Anthony Ogungbemi Adefuye was born in the Lafiaji area of Lagos State on the 14th of August, 1944 to the family of late Pa Christopher and Madam Rebecca Adeola Adefuye of Odolewu and Odo-Arawa in Ogun State.
His journey to stardom and prominence began in 1952 when he commenced Primary School education at St. Mathias Catholic Primary School, Lafiaji.
He later gained admission into top-rated secondary schools such as: St. Gregory’s College, Lagos and Loyola College, Ibadan. He, however, opted for Yaba College of Technology Secondary (Technical School). He later obtained the G.C.E. “O” Level and the junior Diploma in Technical Education in 1963 and was sponsored to Ibadan Polytechnic by the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (E.C.N.), subsequently known as N.E.P.A., and later P.H.C.N. for his Ordinary Diploma in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in 1966.
In 1968, with such burning desire on his mind, Senator Adefuye was admitted to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos. As a result of his brilliant academic prowess, John Holt Limited offered him a scholarship for his university education, where he completed his university education and graduated with flying colours with B.Sc. (Hons.) in Mechanical Engineering.
Today, Senator Anthony Adefuye is a distinguished Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (F.N.S.E ). Al1 through his academic pursuit. There is no doubt that with this array of academic achievements, the other spectacular achievements of the Olugbon of Lagos which follow are a strong confirmation of his attributes and evidence of his quality as a selfless Nigerian and a patriotic African.
He began his working career with A.G. Leventis Limited, as an Apprentice Technician before his secondary school education. He also worked then with the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) as a Clerk. He rose to the position of a Technical Officer before resigning from the organization. He later joined John Holt Limited now John Holt Plc as Workshop Manager in 1972.
As a result of his brilliant enviable achievements, he was snatched from John Holt Plc in 1975 by Blackwood Hodge (Nigeria) Limited and appointed Sales Manager – special Products. He accelerated to the post of Senior Manager, and the dynamic Anthony Adefuye subsequently received the prestigious award of the best Sales Manager for Asia and Africa.
In 1980, he took the courageous decision to resign from his senior managerial appointment with Blackwood Hodge (Nigeria) Limited, to establish his own company. Arawa Engineering Services and Construction Company Limited (ARESCO), of which he became the Chairman and Managing Director.
ARESCO is one of the most successful and accomplished engineering and construction companies in Nigeria. He is also The Chairman, Toniking Nigeria Limited, Toniking Furniture and Toniking Service apartment, Aresco Asphalt Production Company and Aresco Concrete Block Production Company.
The political offices he held include, Somolu LGA Chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party (S.D.P) the platform on which he was elected Senator in 1992 from the Lagos East Senatorial District.
He was a Board member of Radio Lagos between 1979 and 1980, a Board member of Daily Sketch, 1980 – 1983, Board member of Crest Medical Services Limited, 1996 – 2006 as well as a Board member of Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, 2000-2003.
In recognition of his sterling qualities, eminent royal fathers across the country honoured him with various chieftaincy titles. He is the Babalaje of Odolewu and Bashorun of Odo-Arawa both in Ogun State. He is also the Bobagunwa of Imoore and Apapa;
Olugbon of Lagos as well as Sobaloju of Ife kingdom, a title bestowed on him by the late Oba Okunade Sijuade.
Across the East of Nigeria, his Royal Majesty, Eze N.E. Ajakah (JP) in April 2002 honoured him with another Chieftaincy title of “Miri-zuru-Oha 1” of Ikemba Kingdom of Abia.
Senator Adefuye is currently a member of the Governor Advisory Committee (GAC) which is the highest decision-making body in Lagos State politics.
He is happily married with many successful children.
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