ABEOKUTA— The former military administrator of Ogun State under the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar led regime, Commodore Kayode Olofinmonyin is seventy years today. Born 13th May, 1950 to the family of Pa Peter Olofinmoyin and Mama—Olofinmoyin both of blessed memory, from Ejisun family of Okegbede Street, Oke Emo quarters in Ilawe-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti South West Local Government in Ekiti State of Nigeria.
Kayode grew up in Ibadan where his parents worked, and had his primary education there. He proceeded to the Annunciation School, Ikere Ekiti for his secondary education and following the mentoring and counselling of Lt. Colonel S.A.Afolalu (rtd) who was the highest military officer from Ilawe then, he took up a career in the Nigerian Navy.
This promising Ekiti born passed all requisite professional military examinations with flying colours,including the prestigious F.W.C therefore navigating his way up, through the ranks and he rose to the enviable rank of Commodore in the Nigerian Navy
Although, not much was heard of him in his home town, but following the position of his father as Chairman of Egbe Ọmọ Ilawe (I.I.U) Ibadan branch, young Kayode was always taking part in the preparation for and the hosting of meetings of Egbe Ọmọ Ilawe from time to time.
He also performed the same hospitality duties whenever Oba Akinola Adefolalu came to Ibadan in connection with the protracted land case between Ilawe and Ado and was accommodated in Pa Olofinmoyin’s house with his entourage.
His interest for Ilawe affairs and the love of Ilawe took root in him at a tender age, and as soon as his career rose to become a senior officer in the Navy, his endemic love for his home base Ilawe started to manifest particularly during the long military regime in Nigeria.
The various cadres of Chiefs in town, including the military cadre who have hijacked him into their group, normally call him chief because he is the Jagunmolu of Ilawe.
Commodore Kayode Olofinmonyin was appointed as Military Administrator of Ogun State and he took over the reign of power from Navy Captain Sam Ewang on Tuesday August 10,1998.
This was turbulent period of June 12 political saga, but Olofinmoyin inspite of all odds against the military, introduced human-face into his administration. This won the hearts of many citizens and residents of
the state to him., He was code-named, ‘Mr Cool Temper, because of his respects for human rights and feelings. A nickname which later became a household names
Olofinmonyin exhibited his Omoluabi behavior by embarking on courtesy calls to traditional rulers across the state and had heart to heart discussions with them on better way to move the state forward.
This initiative worked well for him, paving way for him to to governed the state successfully, while his relationship with the media was superb. At his maiden meeting with journalists, he admitted that media is a partner in the task of midwifing a new promised democratic dawn
“The Nigerian press is second to none in Africa. Only the press was talking throughout the trying moments of Nigeria. Some of you lost your lives and freedom during the struggle. Those of you left behind, surprisingly were even more determined in your pursuit. Therefore, the renewed confidence we have in ourselves and today’s relative peace may not have been possible if press hadn’t collaborated with other Nigerians. You should continue without being deterred”
“I don’t believe in protocol, let the citizens know that I run open door administration. I need people’s support to succeed. The fact that I am an administrator today does not mean that I have a preserved exclusive
knowledge. When you give a man a lot of alternatives such will make him a better groomed man”.
He told the journalists that the priorities of his administration before the military disengages from politics on May 29, 1999, was to rehabilitate the various dilapidated structures in the State before the hand-over date
stressing that the success of any government is measured by the impact it has on the lives of the citizenry.
The former military administrator enjoyed a relatively hassle free press during his tenure in Ogun State as his openness to his activities ensured that he had no ‘bad’ press in all his 9 months tenure.
Just few weeks to his administration, Abeokuta and other major urban centers in the state started wearing a new, friendly look. Olofin-Moyin effectively stamped his hygienic mien over the state. Refuse dumps and other environmentally degrading structures that have proved stubborn over the years, like those at Itagemo, Igbein and Oja-Oba in Sagamu and Ita-Osu market in Ijebu-Ode, were completely sanitized.
The issues of bad roads all over the state stared Olofin-Moyin in the face on assumption of office, and while the problem seemed herculean considering that Ogun State with its highly urbanized settlements harbor the highest number of road networks, the administrator believes that something could still be done,and something was immediately done. He repaired all bad spots around Abeokuta in a few weeks. Similarly, enumeration of all bad roads was done and major repair works started immediately. Such roads include Ita-Oshin-Lafenwa Road: Agoka-Elega Road, Kugba-Saje-Adatan Road, and Adatan to Asero Road. In all 22 roads were earmarked for major repairs across the State.
Olofin-Moyin stated that he must leave a legacy and in spite of the obviously short tenure available to his administration, he was able to upgrade schools and hospitals. In the area of agriculture, the administrator put into use in all areas of the state tractors and slashers for the benefit of farmers at subsidized rate. Equally, the depletion of the State’s forest reserves by illegal lumber-jacks received the attention of the administrator. A task force on forestry Resources was established and equipped with an engine boat to effectively patrol the water routes of the lumberjacks, in addition to land patrol.
He equally recorded early success in the area of curbing the intractable problem of petrol scarcity. He restructured the State’s Task force on Petroleum, with appeal to the people against hoarding and diversion with a personal involvement in monitoring the supply and sales of petroleum products. It was through such monitoring that tankers loaded with fuel were arrested personally by the naval officer. Thus, fuel supply to the State improved dramatically in the first ten weeks of his administration and a stable supply was maintained for over a month.
The retired Navy administrator is a lover of sports and he engaged in many sports during his career, which include; football, boxing, and, most notably, squash, where he excelled and won many championships. The family imbibed this vital character trait, and even today, everyone engages in some form of sports activities. The Commodore has since laid his squash rackets down for a set of golf
His magic wand manifested in the area of sports promotion, and against all odds and opposition, the sport-loving administrator has firmly and irrevocably made Ogun State a continental Sporting arena. Under his untiring leadership, the state co-hosted the first ever Africa Women Football Championship (AWC) with less than ten days’ notice.
The success of the game played at the ultra- modern Gateway Stadium, Abeokuta was a testimony to the administrative and organizational ability of the former Chief Naval Officer of ECOMOG, Liberia. But of critical importance is the beneficial side effects of this hosting. Small and big businesses boomed and the culture of the State was promoted across the continent.
At some points makers of the popular indigenous fabric “adire”, ran out of stock as were other small scale entrepreneurs in art memorabilia. Tourism boomed with visitors, players and officials stormed the popular Olumo Rock. The Alake Palace and other tourist sites that dots the “Rock City” of Abeokuta were not left out. The State Hotel, Gateway Hotel, hitherto under excruciatingly difficult time, is now a multi-million naira spinner.
Other effects of hosting the maiden African Female Nations Cup, includes reactivation of street lights, road repairs and rehabilitation and installation of phone-card booths in strategic centers in the State capital.
There were encomiums which came in torrents for the administrator from well-meaning Nigerians and Africans. One can only mention few here which include that of then CAF President, Alhaji Issa Hayatou, Austin ‘Sussien’ Akosa, President Nigerian Coaches Association and Honourable Minister of
Youth and Sports, Air Commodore Emeka Omeruah (rtd), who promised more sporting actions for the Gateway State. True enough, a week after the AWC, Abeokuta again hosted the first-ever Armed Forces and Police Games. With over a thousand military and police officers and men storming the State. The business boom of the AWC continued and one does not need a vox populi to ascertain that the ordinary people of the state are enjoying better life courtesy of the administrator’s initiatives and foresight.
His administration conducted the successful and peaceful election which brought back Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as elected civilian government, and handed over leadership mantle to Chief Olusegun Osoba
as the state governor with a congratulatory letter.
As the retired Commodore, today, Wednesday, May 13, clocked 70, there is no doubt his enviable personality and unflagging patriotism will remain a leading light, while his rare ability to blend servant leadership and
self-sacrifice with dignity and humility will not only remain a reference point but also a source of inspiration for future generation of leaders.
Commodore Kayode Olofinmonyin is married to Olaibiyimika Olofinmoyin (nee Somolu), on 24th of January, 1976, and the marriage is blessed with five sons who have each then gone on to build their own families, bringing the next generation of Olofinmoyin up in the loving and caring Olofinmoyin family
traditions.
