Unveiling 50 prominent families in Akure

Akure the State capital of Ondo is a hub for institutions, industrialists, philanthropists, socialites, Elites and big time Politicians. The town is blessed with several prominent families who had in one way or the other played significant roles in the state and across the globe. In this report, Ajoke Adeniji unveils 50 prominent families in Akure.

THE ADESIDAS

The Adesidas are one of the most popular and long serving royal families in Akure Kingdom. They are known for their community development and are big time socialites. Among is the late monarchs, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Afunbiowo II, The Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, who was the first Deji of Akure to become Chairman Council of Obas in Ondo State. Prince Adelana Adesida, Hon. Aderin Abiodun Adesida, former House of Reps Lawmaker among others.

THE ALADETOYINBOS

The Aladetoyinbos are one of the royal families in Akure, this family produces the current Deji of Akure kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, whose reign as Kabiyesi has brought peace to the land and also witnessing rapid development.

THE ADAMOLEKUNS

The Adamolekuns are one of the popular scholars from Iju, Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State, where Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun is a Nigerian Public Administrator, former Dean of the Faculty of Administration at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and was a lead public sector management specialist at World Bank. He is one of the leading scholars on political and administrative management in Africa.

THE ADEDIPES

Another family is the Adedipe family from Ilemo in Akure. They are the popular Elemo of Akure Kingdom.  Most prominent is the former Elemo, late High Chief Bolanle Adedipe, who was a Legal Practitioner and a Property Merchant, late Barr. Alex Adeniyi Adedipe, a Legal Practitioner and former Ondo State House of Assembly member, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Dr. Ademola Adedipe, Erelu Funmilayo Adekanye nee Adedipe among others.

THE ALASOADURAS

Senator Tayo Alasoadura is one of the foremost politicians in Ondo State, having served as the Commissioner for Finance and the former Senator in Ondo Central Senatorial Districts and the current Minister of State, Niger Delta. He is from one of the prominent families in Iju in Akure North local government area.

THE JEGEDES

The Jegedes are another family who hail from Akure. The former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), who was the former Chancellor of Anglican Communion of Jalingo, Taraba State, Chancellor of Anglican Dioceses of Yola. Also Mr.  Tokunbo Jegede, a broadcaster who was  the pioneer GM of Orange Fm and Pioneer Governor of District 404A1 Lions Club International

THE FALAES

Another prominent family is the Falae family from Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government Area. The Former Secretary to Federal Government and former Presidential candidate, Chief Oluyemi Aina Falae, late Barr. Deji Falae, former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Ondo State, Dapo Falae are products of this family. They have played significant roles in the development of the state and Ondo politics

THE AGUDAS

The name Justice Akinola Aguda ring bells all-over the country. They are one of the prominent and respected families who hail from Akure in Ondo State. Aguda had contributed to the growth of jurisprudence in the country. Aguda was a Nigerian jurist and former Chief Justice of Botswana. Prior to becoming Chief Justice, he was a lawyer and High Court of Nigeria Judge in the Western Region of Nigeria. He was the first indigenous African to head the position of Chief Justice in Botswana.

THE AKINGBADES

They are also prominent personalities who have carved a niche for themselves, the former head of marketing, Chief Bola Akingbade, Mr. Akinwale Akingbade former governorship aspirants among others.

THE FASORANTIS

This family from Akure boast of Chief Reuben Faseide Fasoranti, an Elder Statesman, Academician, Philanthropist and respected Politician. Founder of Omolere Nur/Pry School and St Frances Academy both in Akure. This Afenifere Chairman has really made Ondo State proud.

THE BOROKINIS

Borokini is another popular family in Akure. They are very religious and respected in the town, the likes of Rt. Revd Simeon Borokini, the Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Hon. Simeon Toluwani Borokini, House of Assembly Lawmaker among others.

THE ABEGUNDES

Abegunde is another well known family in Akure, they are very industrious and respected in town, though the family has many industrious children of which the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Ondo State, Hon. IfedayoAbegunde aka Abena is one of them.

THE OLOWOKERES

The Olowokere is another big family in the Sunshine City of Akure and we have more than one family that bears the name but their contributions to the growth of their community cannot be ignored. The likes of the renowned business woman and President of the National Association of Traders & Market Leader Council of Nigeria (NAMLCN) Chief Mrs. Ruth Olowokere, former House of Reps lawmaker, Hon Ajisafe Oluwookere, Mr. Bayo Olowokere, CEO Bayduk Oil & Gas, who was the former Chairman IPMAN (Independent Petrol Marketer Association of Nigerian), Dr. Akin Zerubabel Olowookere who is a big player in property business, an entertainer cum politics, he was the senatorial candidate for MPN in the last general elections among others.

THE OLUWATERUS

The Oluwaterus are one of the popular families from Ondo State, who had played big in the governance of the state and also at the federal level. Prominent among the family include His Excellency, Otunba Omolade Oluwateru, the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State to Late Gov. Agagu and also former Ambassador to Uganda. He was a senatorial aspirant in the last election.

THE ADEGOROYES

This is another big name that rings bell in Ondo State mostly in Akure. The Adegoroyes are very popular and one of the prominent families in Akure. This family owns the oldest private schools in Akure, Adetola Group of Schools with Chief Mrs Tola Adegoroye as their Matriarch among other high profile children.

THE OBASUYIS

It is also a notable family that has produced men and women of repute and fame, among them is the Agbaka of Alagbaka, High Chief Afolabi Obasuyi, Chairman/CEO Poinsett Group Nigeria Ltd among others.

THE AWUDES

The Awudes is another prominent families from Ilu Abo in Akure North Local Government Area, Mr. Dayo Awude former Media Person of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State, the former Chief Protocol to former Governor Mimiko, who was later appointed Board Chairman, Ondo State Scholarship Board and Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development is a product of this family.

THE FALOYES

Faloye family of Akure comprises late Lawyer Jaiye Faloye, late Kayode Faloye, Venerable Sola Faloye, retired Archdeacon in Akure Diocese among others are product of this family.

THE OMOLAFE

Mr. Dayo Omolafe fondly called Expensive is from this prominent family, he is the current House of Reps lawmaker representing Akure South/North Federal Constituency at the National Assembly. He was the former chairman Akure South Local Government and former Coordinator Sure-P.

THE OLUYIDES

Oluyides is another prominent family in Akure, they are one of the high ranking chiefs in Akure and the Kingmakers of Deji of Akure land, the likes of Ojumu of Akureland, High Chief Ayo Oluyide, Chairman/CEO Rhino Construction & Maritime Company among others.

THE ADEJUYIGBES

The Adejuyigbe family is another big family in Akure and they are otherwise called Kekereowo family in Akure, this family is led by the Olori Ebi, Mr. Ayo Adejuyigbe, Arch. Jide Adejuyigbe, Kayode Adejuyigbe among others.

THE OLUWATUYIS

Talk of one large family in Akure kingdom and the Oluwatuyis will be mentioned. They are from the Ademodi Ruling House in Isolo, Akure, the late Osolo of Isolo kingdom, Oba Kayode Oluwatuyi who owns the popular Rainbow International Motel in Akure was the 17th king to rule the community, others are former SSA to Gov. Mimiko and former TESCOM Commissioner, Princess Kemi Oluwatuyi, Regent Adebusola Oluwatuyi, Mr. Temitayo Oluwatuyi fondly call Tukana, former Caretaker Chairman Akure South Local Government and presently the Commissioner for Natural Resources in Ondo state among others are prominent personalities

THE ALARAPONS

The Alarapon family is another big name in Akure and the former Caretaker Chairman Akure South Local Government and former candidate who also contested for the House of Reps seat to represent Akure south/North Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon Bayo Alarapon is one of the prominent members of this family.

THE JAIYEOBAS

The Jaiyeobas in Akure are one of the frontline industrialists in the city. Though the most prominent among them is late Chief Samuel Olukayode Jaiyeoba who owned the Olukayode Shopping Plaza at Oja Oba, the Akure Computer and Phone Village and the former State Chairman of Timber and traders organisations. Also is Pastor Mrs.Funmi Oshodi nee Jaiyeoba among others.

THE OLATUNJI-EDDO

The Olatunji-Eddo is one of the prominent families in Akure, Pa Samuel Olatunji Eddo  is one of the prominent in the family, also the current High Chief Olu Eddo,  the Sasere of Akure kingdom, Princess Omowunmi Olatunji-Ohwovoriole, former Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs among others.

THE OWOYEMIS

They are one of the big players in the cocoa business in Akure. Prominent among them is Sunday Owoyemi fondly called Sunny Oowo, the Chairman Sunbeth Group of Company among others.

THE OLAJIDES

Mr. David Sunday Olajide representing Akure South Constituency II at the State House of Assembly and former Deputy Chief Whip of the House is one of the prominent members of this family.

THE OGUNSUYIS

The Ogunsuyis own the popular Green Parks Motel in Akure. They are one of the big families in Akure who have played prominent roles in the state. The likes of Mr. Princess Kemi Adesanya nee Ogunsuyi a two term lawmaker, Mr. Charles Ogunsuyi, late Bola Davies nee Ogunsuyi among others are members of this family.