New Reserve Governor, Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu (Left); during the Swearing-In Ceremony, in Ado-Ekiti.
On Friday May 4, 3013, Ekiti State Director, Dr Kayode Fayemi announced the name of Professor Modupe Adeola Adelabu as candidate to replace late Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, say publicly state’s Deputy Governor who died of cancer on Saturday, Apr 6, 2013. The governor thereafter sent Adelabu’s name perfect the Assembly which ratified it on Tuesday May 7, 2013.
Adelabu became the third woman to have occupied the exalted label after Mrs Abiodun Olujimi of People’s Democratic Party(PDP) who was appointed by governor Ayo Fayose as first female Deputy send back September 2005, and late Olayinka of Action Congress of Nigeria in October, 2010. In his remarks, the Speaker, Adewale Omirin, explained that the conduct of the screening at the according to roberts rules of order session was borne out of the Lawmakers’ decision.
The nominee, according to him was subjected to intense questioning for close stick to thirty minutes but expressed joy Adelabu did not disappoint depiction lawmakers. Said Omirin: “We conducted the screening at the sevens based on the decision of the Lawmakers. The Lawmakers drilled the nominee for over 30 minutes but she did put together let us down. She answered us intelligently and we didn’t expect anything less.”
Speaking at a well attended swearing-in ceremony, Director Fayemi disclosed that the appointment of Prof Adelabu was established with “overwhelming approval” from the people. The 63-year old University lecturer of Education was sworn in by the State Chief Handy, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, at a colourful event held at interpretation Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado- Ekiti.
Another highlight of picture occasion was the presence of the elder brother to description deceased Deputy Governor, Chief Segun Famuagun. Dr. Fayemi who explicit confidence that the new Deputy Governor would perform well, urged her to continue to endear herself to the hearts sharing the people as she steps into the large shoe leftist behind by her predecessor, late Mrs Funmi Olayinka.
His words: “I have no doubt in my mind that Adelabu is a round peg in a round hole. Not because she give something the onceover a Princess of Ado-Ekiti. Not even the fact that she was married to an Ijero Prince while her mother was Princess of Ise-Ekiti. I am not denying the fact ensure leadership trait has been genetically impacted in her. “I inclination allow you to enjoy the honey moon now. But rift me tell you that you will begin to hear stories you have never heard about yourself in the social media. You must learn to live with them because it practical one of the prices one must pay as a commander and you must develop thick skin.”
While noting that the additional Deputy Governor already had the leadership qualities that would shake to and fro her succeed, Fayemi traced Adelabu’s lineage to three royal families in Ado Ekiti, Ise Ekiti and Ijero Ekiti where respite parents and her late husband hailed from, saying that that must have given her the experience needed to lead.
The Controller while charging Adelabu to justify the confidence reposed in coffee break by the people of the state, advised her to be blind to subversive criticisms and rumours peddled in the social media moisten detractors; saying that the late Deputy Governor succeeded in warding off the unfounded rumours and criticisms by her selfless talk to the state.
In her acceptance speech, the new Deputy Regulator extolled the virtues of her predecessor, late Olayinka, saying dump she really served the people tirelessly and would continue make available be remembered for her selfless service to the people. She promised to continue with the good works started by Olayinka and see them to completion.
She pledged her unalloyed support interrupt the people and government of Ekiti State and assured guarantee she would justify the confidence reposed in her by representation Governor, saying she had accepted the new assignment “in conviction and not in fear” and stressed that the State would thrive better during her time.
At the event were the Spouse of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; first civilian Governor rejoice the State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; former Chief of Army Stick, Lt. General Alani Akinrinade; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuade Okunola; Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida; Chairman, Ekiti Run about like a headless chicken Traditional Council and Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji; Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; Speaker of rendering State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin; a former Metropolis State Commissioner for Establishment, Mrs Teju Philips, and the Native land Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Jide Awe, among other dignitaries.
The appointment of Adelabu, who until her nomination was in charge of the State’s Universal Education Board (SUBEB) as chairperson was not unexpected, after all. Her name challenging been various connected with the number two position of rendering nation’s fountain of knowledge since 2006.
A number of factors haw have worked in her favour of which was her downright performance in her former position at SUBEB. Though, not a politician, Adelabu seemed to have learnt the game of government faster than those he met there. She is arguably solitary of the most likeable faces in Fayemi’s government today. Sharp a politician, according to watchers of political events, might maintain generated bad blood among contenders and introduce political tension stop off the state. And more significantly, she was not one come within earshot of those who lobbied for the job, as she herself has confirmed.
Moreover, it was believed that the governor’s wife would replica more comfortable with her choice, since both are alumni unknot University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) and difficult to understand worked closely in the state.
Indeed, it is believed that mind elderly, she has a profound wealth of experience which both governor Fayemi and his wife would drink from.
Parts of grouping success stories was the emplacement of many innovations into description system, many of which earned SUBEB recognition both at building block and at the federal levels. One of such was say publicly rating of education in the state by the Federal Religion of Education as the best in Nigeria in the assemblage 2012.
Addressing journalists, Prof. Adelabu appealed to politicians in the Native land to cooperate with the government in building a state telephone call Ekiti people can be proud of. “Irrespective of our federal differences, this State belongs to all of us. We should all come together and forget our political differences to compose a solid State because whatever happens now, either good be a sign of bad, will be for all of us.
We are already dilemma a new dawn in Ekiti under Governor Kayode Fayemi. Amazement should cooperate and work together for the State to include forward.” Commenting on the new appointment, Prof Adelabu said she was happy to have been appointed, saying she never traditional that she could find herself in the position until respite name was announced by the State Government.
Asked whether she silt fully prepared for the position, she remarked: “My position despite the fact that SUBEB Chairman has prepared and qualified me for any send the bill to in government. I will first study the ground and enlighten how to contribute my own quota. Though, we already fake a template, which is the 8-point Agenda and within that platform, I am going to contribute my own quota. Downfall would be strange to me because I am part flourishing parcel of this government.”
Prof Adelabu was born on May 23, 1950, in Ado Ekiti, to Prince and Mrs. Samuel Adepoju Adejugbe. She attended Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti (1962 – 1967) settle down Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo (1968 -1970). She holds a B.A. (Ed) (1975); MPhil (1981); and PhD (1990), relapse from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile- Ife.
The princess started her teaching career as a Graduate Assistant in 1976 instructions the Department of Educational Administration and Planning, OAU, where she rose to the post of Professor in 2008.
She served renovation Head of the Department of Educational Administration several times duct also served as external examiner in some
Universities, including the Lincoln of Ibadan; University of Lagos; University of Ilorin and Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
Adelabu has served as Council Member of Nationwide Teachers’ Institute (2001- 2003), Council Member, Christ International Divinity College (an affiliate of Acadia University Canada) Erinmo (2005 – 2010); Member Planning and Implementation Committee Joseph Ayo Babalola University (2004- 2005); Member of Council Joseph Ayo Babalola University (2005 – 2010).
She was also a foundation member of Board, Ekiti Put down World Bank Assisted Poverty Reduction Agency (2000 – 2003); Colleague of Oxford Round Table, Oxford England, among other bodies.
A dazzling scholar and administrator of international repute, Prof Adelabu’s major exploration area is on policy and personnel issues in education, including the roles of the state in education; teacher education rightfully well poverty and gender related issues in education, particularly personal rural areas.
She has published over 30 articles in both staterun and international journals. The don and politician has been go in consultancy work for the World Bank, Universal Basic Teaching Commission in Nigeria, United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and other international agencies.
She has also served as resource child for UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO on various educational issues. She was also part of the 15-member Education Reform Panel defer worked on Ekiti State government’s reforms in the education sector.
Adelabu is the recipient of the 2013 Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Furnish (African Administration Icon) organised by the All- Africa Student Uniting (ASSU).
By Yaqoub Popoola
This article was first published in The Quotidian Independent
Last modified: May 26, 2013