Double Celebration As Olu-Epe Of Epe Celebrates 10 Years On Throne, 82 Years Of Existence

By Otunba T.J Abass

Today is a day of rejoicing, and one of reunion for all men and women of goodwill especially of Epe extraction.

It is for no other reason than its emblem of royalty, Oba (DR) Shefiu Olatunji Adewale is marking an anniversary on the throne.

It calls for rejoicing because of what this portends for all Epe sons and daughters, and also for all people holding positions of authority at the different levels of our national life.

His ascendency to the throne has brought a lot of value to the kingdom, for which we remain grateful to our maker, and indeed to the wisdom of the man that holds the office.

It has also shown that with personal resolve, respect for the traditional institution and that of humans, we can attain our ideals.

Born on the first of October 1938 to Alhaji Chief Adewale, both of his parents belong to a class of religious and uncompromising disciplinarian.

He had his kindergarten at MMM School, Sabo, Ibadan. His primary education at NA Primary School, Epe from 1949 to 1954, then LA Secondary Modern School, Epe, 1955 and concluded his secondary at Ahmadiyah Grammar School, Ibadan from 1956 to 1961, where he obtained both the standard six certificate and West African School Certificate.

He obtained NCE from Federal Advance Teachers College, Akoka, Yaba, 1963 to 1966, An Alumnus of University of Ile-Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1968 to 1972, Bsc (Hons) in History, then proceeded to University of Bristol, in the United Kingdom for advance Diploma Degree in Policy, Planning and Administration in 1978, also, Certificate in Legislative Studies in 1983, from Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Topo, Badagry, between April 1983 to 1986, and Certificate from Royal Institute of Public Administration London (1983), Brooklyn Institution, Washington DC, United States of America, 1983, Centre For Management Development, Shangisha, Lagos, Nigeria (1983).

Nigeria Institute Of Management, VI, Lagos, Nigeria, 1991 to 1996, where he bagged Certificate in Legislative Studies, Certificate in Project Management, Certificate in Management and General Administration and many more.

Oba S.O. Adewale has a wealth of Experience and Education gathered through decades of individual self Career Development, both Nigeria and Overseas.
He started working at the Meteorological Development Training School, Oshodi, in 1971-1962.

He later joined the Nigerian Custom Department in March 1962, and later worked with Ministry of Lagos Affairs between 1962 to 1963.

Oba (DR) Shefiu Olatunji Adewale sojourn into teaching profession between June 1966 at Muslim High School, Sagamu, before he later proceeded to core teaching at Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Surulere, Lagos between 1967-1972.

He joined the Lagos State Civil Service In Ministry Of Education in 1972-1976, he became a Senior Inspector and Principal Inspector Of Education/Senior Planning Officer in 1976-1980.

He was deployed to Lagos State Ministry of Public Transportation as Admin Officer between 1980-1983, between 1983-1998.

He had contributed immensely to the State Civil Service in different Capacity, Designation and Ministries.

He was a Deputy Secretary (Admin Officer III & II) of the Lagos State Ministry of Establishment and Service Matter from 1983 to 1986.

Secretary of Lagos State Task Force on Text Books.

He was an Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee, Lagos State, Director, Planning Research and Statistic, Lagos State Ministry of Health, between 1996-1998. He later rose to the post of a Director, Recruitment and Appeal of Lagos State Civil Sevice Commission and then Director of Finance and Supply, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in 1998.

He was appointed as the Chairman, Badagry Local Government in July 1998 – May 1999, after this, he was appointed as a Commissioner (I) in the State Civil Service Commission in 2006 where he represented Epe Division.

In 2009, he was conferred with Royal Title of Olu-Epe of Epe during the administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and in 2017, he was promoted to a First Class Oba in Lagos State by Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode but all of the above would not amount to much without his commitment to enhancing the lives of subjects
Today, he is celebrating 10 years on the throne, 10 years of tremendous contribution to the socio-economic development of Epe kingdom. It also coincides with the celebration of his 82 years of existence. We wish Kabiyesi many more prosperous years on the throne of his forefathers as he celebrates his birthday.