Relations, friends and political associates of a leading politician and businessman Chief Ohu Babatunde Akin-Olugbade have unfolded plans for his centenary celebration. Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the life and times of the Egba chief and First Republic federal legislator.
Twenty five years have passed like a flash of lightening since Babatunde Akin-Olugbade, a prominent politician from Ogun State, bade the world farewell. But his legacies as an Owu and Egba patriot, political star, philanthropist and community leader have not faded away.
He was a member of the House of Representatives between 1959 and 1966. Prior to that national assignment, the chieftain of the Action Group (AG) led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the chairman of Western Nigeria Finance Corporation. He was the Balogun of Owu, a major Egba sub-group, and simultaneously the Ekerin-Egba and member of Alake of Egba-In Council.
In 1987, he passed on as an elder statesman, leaving behind a vast business empire, a thriving law chamber, devoted political fans and a bereaved Egba community. His demise marked the end of an era in Owu, where he played a leading role in co munity development.
Akin-Olugbade was born on January 15, 1913. At the age of nine, he lost his father. The task to bring him up fell solely on his mother, Ajibola Asunle, who gave him good care and education. He attended Owu Baptist Day School, Abeokuta for his elementary education. On completion of his standard three, he moved to Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta in 1926 and left in 1931. In his biography; ‘A Great statesman’, written by Prince Ade Ladigbolu, it was revealed that he was good in sports and debating activities. In 1931, Akin-Olugbade proceeded to Baptist College, Ogbomoso, completing his secondary education in 1937, the year his mother died.
His leadership qualities have unfolded as a school boy. In his final year in the secondary school, he was made a prefect. After teaching briefly at Ejigbo, Osun State, he secured employment as a Third Class clerk at the Treasury Department in Lagos, through the assistance of his uncle, Pa Meredith of Oke-Popo, Lagos. Later, he was transferred to the Treasury Department, Zaria, where he worked under a prominent Nigerian, Dr. R.A.B. Dikko. On January 1946, he married his wife, Ibijoke Bode.
His thirst for higher education made him to sail to the United Kingdom in 1950 to study Law at the age of 38. He completed his course completely and was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1955. In that year, he returned to Nigeria. He started his professional practice with the late Magistrate Lapite at Tinubu Street, Lagos, before setting up his chambers at Balogun Street, Lagos in 1954. Eminent lawyers who passed through his chambers include former Attorney-General and Justice Minister Prince Bola Ajibola, Chief Bayo Kehinde (SAN), and late Chief Adeniran Adepegba.
Predictably, Akin-Olugbade, like many young patriots of his time, joined the Nigeria Youth Movement in 1946. Thus, he became a nationalist fighter protesting the evils of colonialism. In London, he joined the Labour Party and became close to the famous legal luminary, Sir Alexander Dinglefoot. On returning to Nigeria, he joined the AG in 1953 and was appointed as the Chairman, Western Nigeria Finance Corporation on November 4, 1957. That appointment followed the resignation of Chief Ladoke Akintola from the chairmanship after his appointment as Federal Minister of Communication and Aviation. He served on the board along with Chief M.A. Okupe of the Agbonmagbe fame, Mr. Joseph Olaleye, Dr. S.A. Agbaje, Mr. P.N. Harris, Chief. A. Adekeye, Oba J.T.A. Olayisade, Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Mr. Mak Shonowo, and Chief J.E. ogodazi. Under Akin-Olugbade’s leadership, the company, and its subsidiary, the Loans Board, waxed stronger. The finance corporation swam in the pool of profit, prompting the regional government to re-appoint him for 1958/59. Then, Chief Sunday Olawoyin, Mr. E.A Molajo and Mr. J.O Olakeye had also joined the board.
In 1959, the AG chieftain, who was nicknamed “Atotileto”, because of his business business acumen and prowess, contested the House of Representatives seat in Egba South Federal Constituency. Akin-Olugbade, who scored 16,818, won the poll, defeating his opponents; Chief O. Moore (Independent candidate), R.A.B. Opaleye (NCNC), Y.P.O Shodeinde (NEL) and H.A. Shodipo (Independent candidate).
In the federal parliament, the Owu politician became the AG Chief Whip, shadow minister of foreign affairs, and later Leader of Opposition after Awolowo was jailed for treasonable felony, and parliamentary leader of his party. His colleagues in the House included the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Okunnowo, Chief Sikiru Shita-Bey, Canon Akinyemi, Chief Akerele and Ayo Fasanmi. in 1964, despite the massive malpractices that marred the federal elections, Akin-Olugbade retained his federal seat.
The federal legislator was not a bench warmer. “He contributed in no small way to the development, peace, stability and progress of the country. He brought up reasonable points on the welfare of the masses, problems of the people in the areas of drugss in hospitals, discipline of members in the house, peace and stability in the Western Nigeria, rehabilitation and construction of roads, education and foreign affairs”, recalled Ladigbolu, who added: “It was because of his brilliancy in international relations that made the Government of Nigeria to include him in the Nigeria’s delegation to the United nations in 1962. The delegation was led by Chief Dennis Osadebey”.
In 1962, Akin-Olugbade ran into political storm. He and Chief Elijah Babalola were summoned by the Coker Commission of Inquiry to answer charges of alleged financial malpractices. They were indicted. His predecessor, Akintola, was not summoned. It was the fallout of the split in the AG. Akin-Olugbade had refused to join forces with Akintola to rubbish Awo. “Since the intention of those who set up Coker Commission of inquiry and those called upon to probe the activities of the corporation were to victimise, ridicule and humiliate the supporters of Chief Awolowo, they threw justice, fair play and truth overboard”, Ladigbolu recalled.
When Awo was behind bars, akin-Olugbade did not betray him. Although he participated in peace moves mooted by eminent Yoruba and Nigerians, he did not compromise the position of the AG, despite pressures and inducements. He was loyal to his leader throughout the First Republic. It was therefore worrisome to Awo and his supporters who had endured persecution with Akin-Olugbade to discover that he opted for the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), instead of Awo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in 1978/79. His ambition to become the party’s national chairman was crushed by the late Chief Adisa Akinloye. Other contestants were Chief Gabriel Akin-Deko, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) and Chief Moshood Abiola. Despite being an NPN chieftain, he never poured venom on Awolowo, unlike his old associates who had defected to the conservative camp like him. In fact, he once took a full page advert to reply Awo’s critics who were twisting historical facts to embarrass the late sage.
In Abeokuta, Akin-Olugbade left his footprints as an industrialist and employer of labour. He left behind a chain of companies, including ARC Limited, a construction company, O.B.A Transport Ltd, O.B. A Property Ltd, O.B.A Travels Ltd, O.B.A Jewellers/Ag Tabet Ltd, and Niger oil Resources Ltd. He built a hospital and social centre for the people of Egbaland. He spearheaded efforts to build a befitting palace for Olowu, united the warring Owu chiefs, gave scholarships to indigent students and gave employment to many Egba youths. Reward for community service poured for him in torrents. In 1958, he was honoured with the title of Aare Ona Kankanfo of Owu. In 1976, he was conferred with the traditional title of Balogun of Owu. A year after, he was installed as the Ekerin of Egbaland. He was also the Jagunmolu of Itoku and Lisa of Iwo.
However, he was also perceived as a controversial figure in the community. His involvement in the Obaship tussle, which polarised the community, made him to attract some enemies. But he fought the matter in court, based on his commitment to justice. A renowned lawyer, he also relied on the law and courts to fight personal battles which he always won.
Paying tribute to him, his son, Omooba Olusunmade Akin-Olugbade, described him as a father in a million. “He was a true nationalist; he went into politics not to make money. he contributed to the development of Owu, Egbaland and Nigeria. we are planning his centenary celebration for January next year”, he added.
