Baba Adeen: History Will Be Kind To Alhaji Fatai Adesina Kolawole

By Hameed Oyegbade

Apparently, when Richard Evans said “It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars”, he had Alhaji (Dr.) Fatai Adesina Kolawole in mind. His contributions to the society has distinguished him among other people and this informed the decision of the League of Imams and Alfas in Osun State to appoint him as the Baba Adeen of Osun State.

With his turbaning as the Baba Adeen of Osun State on Sunday, 25th February, 2024, at Modakeke Central Mosque, Itamerin Modakeke, Alhaji (Dr.) Fatai Adesina Kolawole faces fresh challenge as rallying point for Muslims in the state on upliftment of Islam. He had been doing this over the years and this official status at this moment is not out of place. Baba Adinni is a chiefly religious title in Yorubaland often conferred on a prominent Muslim who has contributed to society and islam. His late father was also turbaned as the Baba Adeen of modakeke about a decade ago, apt to say nobility of service runs in the family.

Alhaji (Dr.) Fatai Adesina Kolawole is a man of people and he’s always happy to assist people. In fact, his philosophy of life is ‘Be Your Brothers’ keeper’ and he has demonstrated this with his ‘always ready to help attitude’. He never turns down people’s request. No wonder, his house is always like a tourist centre as people troop in and out satisfied on daily basis. He is always happy doing that.

The retired Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) is a gentle, unassuming, kind, generous, intelligent, accommodating, caring, daring, calculative, diligent, proactive, attentive, humble, transparently honest, considerate and time conscious individual. Alhaji (Dr.) Fatai Adesina Kolawole is a grassroots personality like his late father. He relates well with people from different walks of life irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, social status, political affiliation and location.

Alhaji Fatai Adesina Kolawole was born over six decades ago into the family of Alhaji Tiamiyu Alabi Kolawole Adeniran and Alhaja Ramotu Kolawole of Eesiki Compound, Modakeke, in the present Ife East Central Local Council Development Area of Osun State, Nigeria. His birth, which preceded Nigeria’s Independence by one year, seven months and fifteen days, opened doors of blessings for his parents. Very many things changed positively for the family as soon as he was born, signaling what the future held for the young boy. Fatai’s father, a devout Muslim, was a very successful farmer and produce buyer and the younger Kolawole’s mother hailed from Agbede Compound, Itaasin, Modakeke.

Alhaji Fatai Adesina Kolawole started his education at Baptist Day Primary School, Oke-Amola, Modakeke. The School was established by the First Baptist Church, 19, Oke-Amola Street, Modakeke, within the second quarter of the 20th Century to provide educational services and for evangelism. The choice of Fatai Kolawole to attend this elementary school was not informed by its proximity to his father’s compound, Esiki, but as a result of his parents’ religious tolerance. Most of his peers attended Local Authority Primary School, Amuda-Oda, Modakeke for religious reason. His parents were highly detribalised, accommodating and had a penchant for quality education.

After the completion of his education at the Baptist Day Primary School, he gained admission into the prestigious Modakeke High School, Modakeke, the first secondary school established in 1960 in the town and one of the best in Southwest Nigeria at the time. History has it that entrance into this school at that time was very competitive and only the best were admitted. No wonder therefore that, at first attempt, he came out in flying colours, having graduated with a West African School Certificate in first division. He proceeded to the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, to study for a degree in Agricultural Science and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Animal Science in 1980.

He went for his one year mandatory National Youth Service in Imo State where he served meritoriously. In his quest for more knowledge, Fatai Kolawole proceeded to the nation’s Premier University, the University of Ibadan, for his postgraduate degree programme in Education. He graduated in 1984 with a Master of Science degree in Animal Science. He also has a masters degree in Animal Science From University of Ibadan.

Alhaji Fatai Kolawole started work in 1981 as an Education Officer attached to the Government Technical College, Osogbo under the old Oyo State. He served in the Department of Agriculture. As a young graduate who was full of energy and enthusiasm, he was able to teach in an environment that was conducive for vocational and technical education. The students, according to him, ‘were able to acquire skills in areas like Bricklaying, Agricultural Mechanics, Carpentry and Joinery, Plumbing and Fittings, Fine and Applied Arts, Electrical and Electronics, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, etc, that enabled them stayed on their own after graduation. It was a case of straight from study to work, and the products were better than artisans’.

He was transferred to the Government Technical College, Oyo in 1986 where he made his marks as a committed Tutor. From there, he was redeployed to the Government College, Apata, Ibadan, also to Agriculture Department. Students at the Government College then who were able to sail through to Form Five would have at least five credits. Hooliganism, truancy, cultism were rare in those days. Due to his diligence and dedication to duties, he was moved to the Science, Mathematics and Technical Education Department, Ministry of Education, Ibadan as an Officer. His duties there were to conduct inspection to schools, formulate and implement science education policies in the schools, conduct workshops for Teachers and procurement of science laboratory equipment.

He was appointed a Local Inspector of Education and served in Boripe Local Education Office, Iragbiji, still under the old Oyo State. From Boripe, he was transferred back to Ibadan, again in the Ministry of Education where he was put in charge of Examinations Unit. The Unit was in charge of Common Entrance Examination, Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination, Grade II Examination, Distance Learning Centres, Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination, etc. He was in the Ministry when Osun State was created in 1991.

While working as a civil servant in Osun State, Alhaji Fatai Adesina Kolawole served in different capacities and recorded landmark achievements. His achievements are too numerous to mention and history would be kind to him. He has recieved many awards in recognition of his selfless service to humanity. He is happily married and he is indeed a true family man who loves his wife and children with passion.

Undoubtedly, the choice of Alhaji Fatai Adesina Kolawole as the Baba Adeen of Osun State is a right one as he’s most suitable for the task. And with the prayers and supports of the entire Muslims in the state, our new Baba Adeen shall succeed Mon Sha Allah and May Allah accept all his efforts from him as an act of Ibadan and reward him abundantly. Congratulations to Alhaji Fatai Adesina Kolawole.

Hameed Oyegbade, Public Relations Officer of Osun State Muslim Community writes from Osogbo.