Our Reporter

Rufus Obaleke, a former Private Secretary of Ladoke Akintola, the late premier of the old Western Nigeria, was buried in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, on Friday.

The funeral service of the deceased held at Union Baptist Church, Ibadan.

Obaleke was Akintola’s secretary from 1962 to 1966 when the first Military coup took place. He then became private secretary to the Military Administrator of Western State, Late Dr M.A Majekodunmi (St Nicholas Hospital).

He joined the service of the Western Nigeria as a 3rd class clerk having passed the Senior Overseas School Certificate and the Civil Service Entrance Examination in 1954.

He resigned from the medical department in 1957 to join the Barclays Bank DCO as a clerk. He left the bank to go abroad but could not, so he taught History at Ibadan City Academy for a month before he was appointed into the Western State Civil Service as Executive Officer (General Duties).

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He worked directly under the late Dr Saburi O Biobaku, Secretary to the Western State Government and Executive Council in October 1959 as Executive Officer (Administration).

In addition to this he served as private secretary to the following traditional rulers who were appointed Ministers without portfolio namely, Oba I.B Akinyele, the Olubadan of Ibadan; Oba Sikiru Adetona Ogbaba 11; the Awujale of Ijebuland, Sir Olateru Olagbegi; the Olowo of Owo, Oba S.O Abimbola; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Akhenzua; the Oba of Benin, Oba Tewogboye 11; the Osemawe of Ondo and Oba Ubika; the Obi of Agbor.

He was also privileged to serve under efficient and effective officers such as late Mr J.E. Imoukhuede, Mr McGuiness, Mr S.O Asabia, Mr E.A.Emuleomo, Chief M.A Adesiyan, Mrs. Tejumade Alakija, Mr B. Farotimi, Chief J.A  Adedeji, Mr M.O Ojedele and Chief M.S Adigun, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government and Head of Service.

He was promoted as Higher Executive Officer in 1974. He passed competitive examination conducted by WAEC for entry into the Administrative and Special Classes and was promoted to the post of Administrative Officer Grade VII GL 08.

He got promoted progressively and served in various capacities and ministries such as Secretary, Oyo State Health Council, Under Secretary (Administration and General, Ministry of Education, Secretary, Finance & Administration, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Secretary for Establishment, Ministry of Works and Transport, Secretary for service matters, Office of the Military Governor, Sole Administrator, Ayedade Local Government, Gbongan, Chairman, Ayedade Local Government, Gbongan Director, Finance and Supplies, Office of the Military Governor, Acting Director-General, Civil Service Commission,.

He was appointed Director General in 1992 and served in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Council Secretariat and Cabinet Protocol& Security Office. He retired in January 1994.