Celebrating 48 Years of Ogun’s Political Titans: From Awolowo to Abiodun, A Rich Tapestry Unveiled

Ogun State, known for its robust political legacy and historical significance, has played a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.

The state, celebrating its 48th anniversary, continues to be a cradle for influential leaders who have significantly impacted the nation’s trajectory.

Notable figures such as Awolowo, MKO Abiola, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibikule Amosun, and Olusegun Osoba have emerged from Ogun State.

Operating within the framework of a presidential republic, the political discussions surrounding Ogun State highlight the active and engaged citizenry that characterizes the region.

The Governor of Ogun State serves as both the head of state and head of government, with the official seat located in Abeokuta.

The list of governors in Ogun State reflects a diverse mix of military and civilian leaders who have contributed to the state’s political journey.

Figures like Saidu Ayodele Balogun, Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel, Ibikunle Amosun, and Dapo Abiodun have left lasting imprints on the state’s governance.

Beyond its political prowess, Ogun State boasts a rich tapestry of influential individuals contributing to various fields.

From founding fathers like Obafemi Awolowo to trailblazers like Folake Solanke, the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and successful entrepreneurs like Moshood Abiola and Mike Adenuga, the state has consistently produced figures of excellence.

Ogun State takes pride in its contributions to arts, music, literature, and sports.

Icons such as Wole Soyinka, Fela Kuti, and Olamide Baddo Sneh showcase the cultural and creative vibrancy of the state.

Related News: Ogun Marks 48th Anniversary: Abiodun Commits to Continued Growth

In the realm of education, Ogun State stands out as a pioneer, hosting the largest concentration of universities in Nigeria.

Additionally, the state holds the distinction of housing numerous religious camp sites and being the birthplace of Nigeria’s first newspaper, ‘Iwe Iroyin.’

As Ogun State continues to stand out for its political and cultural contributions, its unique blend of historical significance, influential personalities, and vibrant achievements sets it apart as a blessed entity among Nigeria’s states.

Let’s take a closer look at the list of Governors in Ogun State since 1978 to the present:

The extensive list of notable individuals from Ogun State further underscores its exceptional status among Nigerian states:

1. Obafemi Awolowo – Founding father of Nigeria
2. Alexander Akintola Sapara – First Nigerian lawyer
3. Folake Solanke – First female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)
4. Frederick Rotimi Williams – First lawyer to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)
5. Hon. Justice Olumuyiwa Jibowu – First Nigerian judge to sit on the Supreme Court bench
6. Sir Adetokunbo Ademola – First indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria
7. Olusegun Obasanjo – First Nigerian to be both military and civilian head of state
8. Ernest Shonekan – Shortest president by number of days
9. Oladipo Diya – Former Vice Military President to Sanni Abacha
10. Moshood Abiola – Business mogul, politician, once the richest in Africa
11. Mike Adenuga – CEO of Globacom, business mogul, the second richest Nigerian
12. Asa – International female singer from Itoko, Abeokuta
13. Adebutu Kessington – Inventor of legal gambling in Nigeria (Baba Ijebu)
14. Adeola Odutola – First entrepreneur, first to own a private secondary school, first president of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria
15. Tai Solarin – Activist, founder of Mayflower Schools
16. Oba Otudeko – Business tycoon
17. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti – First woman to drive a car, led the Aba Women Riot, activist of the first order
18. Wole Soyinka – Nobel Prize in Literature
19. Femi Osofisan – Nigerian writer of the first order
20. SJB Osoffa – Celestial Worldwide
21. Olu Jacob – Nigerian actor
22. Subomi Balogun – Owner of FCMB
23. Peter Akinola – Former Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Church
24. Dr. Olu Abolurin – Pioneer Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence
25. Ebenezer Obey – Juju pioneer and musician
26. Shina Peters – Juju musician
27. Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Afrobeat pioneer
28. Adewale Ayuba – Fuji musician
29. Dapo Daniel Oyebanji (D’banj) – Hip hop artist
30. Hubbert Ogunde – Stage theatre pioneer (The Father of Nigerian Nollywood)
31. Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1) – Fuji musician
32. Kuforiji Olubi – First female ICAN president
33. Chief J.F. Odunjo – Foremost author
34. Thomas Adeoye Lambo – Psychiatrist
35. Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (The Awujale of Ijebuland) – The longest-reigning Oba in Nigeria (April 2, 1960, till date)
36. Madam Efuroye Tinubu – First woman to buy a car in Nigeria
37. Dr. Elizabeth Awoniyi Aimbola – First female doctor in Nigeria
38. Dimeji Bankole – Youngest Speaker in the history of Nigeria
39. St. Peters Church Abeokuta – First church in Nigeria
40. Ogun State has the largest concentration of universities in Nigeria
41. Ogun State also houses almost all the religious camp sites in Nigeria
42. The first newspaper was situated in Abeokuta, called ‘Iwe Iroyin’
43. Olubi Sodipo – First Nigerian professor of philosophy
44. Tunde Kelani – Best cinematographer in Africa
45. Ambassador Segun Olusola – The Village Headmaster pioneer
46. Hajj Wasiu Sideeq – Islamic singer
47. Professor Ogunlesi – First professor of medicine in Nigeria
48. Chief Olu Oyesanya – Co-founder of the Nigerian Union of Journalists
49. Professor Oluyemi Banjoko – Special Adviser to the American president and the British prime minister on African matters (Manchester, U.K)
50. Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, CFR – Former Executive Secretary of Economic Community for Africa and Founding Executive Director of African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies (ACDESS)
51. Falilat Ogunkoya, Chief Laloko, and Segun Odegbami – International sport coaches
52. Tunde Lemo – Former Deputy C.B.N Governor
53. Professor Babatunde Oshotimehin – WHO expert
54. Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina – President, African Development Bank
55. Professor Anthony Asiwaju – Foremost historian
56. Akinrogun Olusegun Osoba – Foremost journalist & Former Governor
57. Alhaji Sulaimon Adebola Adegunwa – Sterling Bank
58. Otunba Ayoola Otudeko – Honeywell & former Pro-chancellor OOU
59. Professor Oloyede – Former V.C Unilorin & Secretary Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs
60. Pastor Tunde Bakare – Latter Rain Assembly
61. Chief Mrs. Ebun Oyagbola – First Female minister of cabinet rank in Nigeria
62. General Tunji Olurin – First ECOMOG commander
63. Alhaja Salmot Badru – First female DG in Ogun and old Western region
64. Dr. Tunji Otegeye – Nigerian Youth Congress fame
65. Afolabi Olabimtan – Popular Yoruba author of Kekere Ekun, Olowa lo mejo da fame
66. Rahman Bello – VC UNILAG
67. Remilekun Khalid Safaru aka Reminisce – Popular musician
68. Major General T.B. Ogundeko (RTD) – First Nigerian army officer to retire voluntarily at the age of 49. He was the first Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos. He’s from Ijebu Imusin in Ogun State.
69. Prof. Olukayode Oyekanmi Oyesiku – Pioneer Vice-Chancellor of a University of Education in Nigeria.
70. Olamide Baddo Sneh – YBNL.

The state’s blessing is evident in its diverse and remarkable contributions across various sectors, making Ogun State stand out among other states in Nigeria.

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