Twelve Years After, S.A Civic Engagement Remembers Chief Amzat Adebowale

Yesterday December 4th, 2020, was a gathering of sheer love at the 12th year remembrance ceremony of and industrialist, philanthropist, political leader and business mogul, Alhaji Chief Amzat Beyioku Adebowale. Political associates, Lagos State Government cabinet members, party stalwarts, party faithful, government officials, family members and well-wishers thronged the palatial edifice of the late septuagenarian to celebrate his indelible legacies.

Princess Adebowale, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Civic Engagement warmly welcomed and entertained guests irrespective of status or political affiliation in the most hospitable manner.

At the low key event which coincided with the eve of Lagos East Senatorial Election, the elegant and amazon of beauty interacted with all and sundry who took time out to celebrate the well-spent life of her beloved father. She hinted that the event was meant to remember the 12th year of her father’s journey to eternal rest.

Ekohotblog spoke with a few notable guests who graced the event which include Hon. Sylvester Dahunsi Ogunkelu, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Epe Constituency II; Hon. Shakiru Adebanjo (John Bull), former Eredo LCDA Executive Secretary and Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Epe Constituency II; Hon. Shamsideen Adeniyi, former Eredo LCDA SLG and Hon. Warith Temitope Odeyemi, Eredo LCDA APC Chairmanship aspirant.

Speaking with Ekohotblog, Hon. Shamsideen Adekunle Adeniyi, the former SLG of Eredo LCDA extolled the virtues of Chief Adebowale and also gave kudos to Princess Adebowale, SA Civic Engagement for being a decent ambassador of the Adebowale lineage.

” It is a commemoration of the 12th anniversary of the demise of a great philanthropist, an industrialist per excellence, and a great community leader whose name is synonymous with progress and stupendous wealth. You honour a great man by the honour you give to them, a lot of people are here today because by one way or the other, even though I was never opportune to meet him, we have all benefited from his largesse.

Our good sister, the SA Civil Engagement is a promising progenitor of the Adebowale family. She’s been carrying the torch and she’s been living up to the name of the Adebowales because they are known for courage, innovations, entrepreneurship, and beautiful things.

Unfortunately, I didn’t meet him, but from what I heard from my parents, his name and Epe are like two sides of a coin. The first electric bulb factory situated in Africa was established by Chief Adebowale, Adbowale electronics is a household name even up till now. These are powerful industrialist that sets up businesses that outlive them. The man was larger than life in his lifetime”, he said.

Hon. Adeniyi, when quipped about his expectations in the Lagos East Senatorial election said; ” We’ve never lost before and we can not now. You see, some things can not happen. The lightning seldom strikes at a place twice, that is one in a trillion chance and that’s what’s gonna happen
tomorrow “.

Another notable dignitary who spoke with Ekohotblog at the event was Hon. Shakiru Adebanjo a.k.a Johnbull, former House of Assembly member representing Epe Constituency II who described the late industrialist as an impeccable personality and a reputable leader.

” I have come to celebrate with our amazing SA, Civic Engagement, Princess Adebowale. She is the one fortunate to represent our community at the state level, so, we need to rejoice with her and to at least show some fraternity with her.

Chief Adebowale was a great leader and a Philanthropist, he stood by his people and he championed so many projects here. He brought in a factory, although the factory became defunct immediately he died but at least, he tried his best to support his people.

On whether other people can replicate Chief Adebowale’s business prowess in terms of industry and entrepreneurship in Epe Division, Hon. Johnbull said;

” Very well, we even have some who are still alive. We have Onward, Chief Obagun, Chief SO Bakare Oluwalogbon, they have also tried their best to support the community “.

He further expressed high hopes for victory for the APC at the polls. He asserted that the victory is non-negotiable in the Lagos East Senatorial Election as APC is the party to beat at any time.

Also at the 12th year remembrance of Chief Amzat Adebowale, Ekohotblog spoke with Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu Oluwadahunsi, Member representing Epe Constituency II and Chairman, House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals and Investments. He

” Let me first congratulate the family of Late Chief Adebowale for finding it worthy to celebrate their father’s 12th anniversary. This is not common in many wealthy families. I appreciate the fact that the SA on Civic engagement deemed it fit to remember her father.

As regards the life and times of Chief Adebowale, Hon. Ogunkelu said: ” Though I was very small, he is a politician, a businessman and a philanthropist as well. He is a kind of person that loves his family the way I see it. He loves his community and the good people of his community.

He also has this to say on the Lagos East Senatorial Election: ” We are going to deliver the two Local Government in my constituency which is Eredo and Ikosi-Ejinrin. We are going to deliver, we don’t believe we have PDP in my constituency. By this time tomorrow, we will be congratulating one another “.

Profile of Chief Amzat Beyioku Adebowale.

Born April 5, 1927, Amzat Adebowale attended Government Primary School, Epe for his elementary education. He later proceeded to Government Teachers Training College, Ibadan between 1949 and 1950. His sterling business career took off with SCOA Group in 1959 as a marketing manager.

By 1960, his entrepreneurial foresight had begun to take shape. This culminated to his resolve to venture into commercial trading. In 1961, he established Adebowale Stores as a retail outlet in Lagos.
Adebowale’s entrepreneurial ingenuity began to manifest in 1961 when the retail shop was incorporated as Adebowale Stores Limited and subsequently diversified into manufacturing. The industrialist, known mostly as KDK man, quickly diversified his business, with branches established in Ibadan, Kano and Lagos.

To take full advantage of the then Federal Government’s favourable industrial policies, Adebowale incorporated Adebowale Electrical Industries Limited as a manufacturing concern. The move marked a remarkable turning point in his career from a businessman to a manufacturer, especially in 1975, when the budding company rolled out its first set of locally manufactured electrical/electronics products.

During his lifetime, the Business mogul held several leadership positions both locally, at the state level and nationally. These include; Council Member, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Life Vice President, Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industries Mines And Agriculture NACCIM); Chairman, Industrial Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry; council University Endowment Foundation Council; ex-Member, Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic, ex-Member, Governing Council of the Lagos State University; former Chairman, Lagos State Transport Corporation; founder, Industrial Manpower Development Centre. Odomola, Epe; Patron, Nigerian – British Chamber of Commerce: Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Nigerian-British Chamber of commerce, Ogun State; Institute of Directors, since 1986; Fellow: Institute of Directors; Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry; National vice-president/Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Chairman, Electrical and Electronics Association of Nigeria.

Chief Adebowale financed and provided electricity to Odomola community, his place of birth in Epe LGA; donated generously to Student Societies, Charitable and Religious Organisations. He has conferred a National honour with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 1980 and was appointed Trustee, Lagos Country Club, 1990.

Steve Jobs says ” No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it and that is how it should be because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new “.
May God continue to rest the soul of Chief Adebowale peacefully