Otunba (Dr) Alex Onabanjo
The ancient city of Ago-Iwoye will be in jubilation and unprecedented celebration today, Saturday, 20th April, 2024, as the new Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye, Otunba (Dr) Alexander Onabanjo, will be officially installed and presented with instrument of office by His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr) Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba, Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye.
The entire community will be ecstatic as sons and daughters of Ago-Iwoye and well-wishers from all walks of life come to witness the historic occasion. Otunba Alex Onabanjo succeeds Late Senator (Chief) Jubril Martins-Kuye, who was the Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye until his death on 17th January, 2021.
Oba Abdul-Razaq Adenugba had earlier performed the traditional rites for the new Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye at his Palace on Friday, 12th August, 2022, to confirm the Chieftaincy title.
The Monarch said Otunba Alex Onabanjo, who is also the Sakinmolu of Ago-Iwoye, a title conferred on him in 1984 by Late Oba D.M Osiyemi, was chosen for the new title of Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye in recognition of his immense contributions to the development of Ago-Iwoye. He said the footprints of Otunba Alex Onabanjo in the annals of Ago-Iwoye will forever remain indelible, noting that he has always been a pacesetter and champion of the good of Ago-Iwoye.
Oba Adenugba noted that the new Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye is a silent Philanthropist, astute community leader and Achiever par excellence, who is ever ready to use his massive connection and extensive business network both nationally and internationally to impact positively on his community.
Otunba Alex Onabanjo, while speaking with Great Achiever Magazine on his new status, said his appointment as the new Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye did not come to him as a surprise because he is passionate and has always worked tirelessly for whatever would bring progress to Ago-Iwoye. He therefore described his appointment as a reward for his good deeds to the town and its people, as well as his service to humanity.
Otunba Onabanjo, while expressing delight for the honour bestowed on him, assured that he will continue to do what is expected of him in moving Ago-Iwoye forward, just like his parents and grandparents did while they were alive.
The new Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye, who is an accomplished businessman and a major player in the oil and gas sector, had his first degree and Master’s degree in the United States of America after his primary and post primary education in Nigeria. He worked in several companies such as Nigeria Motor Industries Ltd (a division of CFAO Plc) from 1977 to 1981, where he rose to become General Sales Manager before leaving to become the Managing Director of Quality Printing and Paper Company Limited, Lagos.
He resigned as the Managing Director to set up a new company in 1987, and has since then been an active participant in the Organized Private Sector where he joined other Nigerian entrepreneurs to establish several companies where he has been majority shareholder, board member and board chairman.
Otunba Onabanjo, a selfless and generous businessman, has contributed in no small measure to societal development. In the education sector, he has left indelible footprints in many institutions of higher learning where he endowed numerous prizes in Business Administration and Science courses in various Nigerian universities including: Best Student Prize Award in Business Administration and Chemistry at Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU) from inception to date.
He constructed a building for the Department of Petroleum and Petrochemical as well as a building for the Department of Health Science both at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun-Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. He has also completed an Electronic Library at OOU that has access to over seven million books from various authors on various subjects in Arts and Science all over the world.
Otunba Alex Onabanjo, who has received several awards in appreciation and recognition of his contributions to education sector and societal development at large, also built and donated the Students Union building at OOU, while he donated a Senior Staff building to Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo. In 1998, he donated equipment worth over five million dollars to Department of Geology.
Given his antecedents, there is no doubt that Ago-Iwoye community is on the path to further greatness with the installation of Otunba (Dr) Alex Onabanjo as the new Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye.
