BIOGRAPHY
HON, CHIEF THEODORE OLADELE ODULESI JP
Biography of HON, CHIEF THEODORE OLADELE ODULESI JP
Pa Odulesi was born on Friday May 13,1932 at Irolu-Remo to the families of the late Mr. Theophilus Fadipe Odulesi and late Madam Alice Otunyebo Odulesi (nee Afisunlu).
He started his primary education in 1939 at Ogbe Methodist School, Abeokuta and passed the First Leaving School Certification Examination (G.2) in 1947.
In 1948, he became a pupil teacher at Itesi 1964. Methodist School, Abeokuta. In 1949, he was admitted into Ibadan Grammar School for his secondary school education.
Being that his father passed away early, his maternal aunt (Mrs. Dopemu nee Afisunlu), his paternal uncles – Pa Joseph Aina Odulesi, Most Venerable J. O. Osinbowale and Venerable E. O. Osinbowale were responsible for his education and supported him immensely.
In 1953 after his secondary school education, he got a job with the then ljebu-Remo Divisional Council as an Agricultural Assistant (Grade III). Whilst working, he continued studying privately, receiving tutelage from the famous Rapid Result Correspondence College, U.K. In 1954, he took his Cambridge Overseas School Certificate Examination.
Between 1956 and 1959, he worked at the United African Company (UAC) as a Sales Assistant.
On September 9, 1959, he traveled to England with the primary aim of studying nursing but eventually took a course in Engineering at the Willesden Technical College, London. He later transferred to the famous Brixton School of Building where he studied Building Engineering and Quantity Surveyor and successfully bagged the Licentiate of the Chartered Institute of Building (LIOB), the Higher National Certificate (HNC) and the Membership of the Royal Society of Health, Engineering Division (MRSH), all in 1964
He returned to Nigeria on 24 September 1964 and obtained the Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Building.
In December 1964, he secured a job in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and retired in 1983 to go into politics.
After retiring as a civil servant, the Ogun State Government appointed him into the Remo Local Government Caretaker Committee where he served from 1990 to 1992
In 1993, he contested and won the election as representative for the Remo Central Constituency into the Ogun State House of Assembly under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). This was a milestone as he became the first Irolu citizen to serve in the State Legislature and Government.
In 1987, he was awarded an honorary chieftaincy title. Mayegun of Irolu-Remo by His Royal Highness, Oba Ajibola Ogunlesi Lupon Ajadiya II, Onirolu of Irolu.
In 2008, Pa Odulesi, being a lifelong member of the Anglican Church, became the Baba-ljo of the All-Saints Anglican Church, Irolu-Remo. His inauguration was presided by the current Bishop of Remo/Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos – Bishop M.O.Fape.
Throughout his lifetime. Pa Odulesi was dedicated to the development and progress of Irolu-Remo and Ogun State as a whole. He co-founded or formed the following organizations
- Irolu Youth Association in 1957 – he was the Secretary
- Egbe Omo-Irolu Aganun of Great Britain & Ireland in 1962 – he was the Financial Secretary
- Irolu Elite Development Union – he was the Secretary/Financial Secretary
- Irolu Development Council (IDC) in 1970 – he was the first Secretary
- He also designed the Irolu Community High School Complex and designed the school Emblem. The Ogun State Government appointed him as the first Chairman of the school’s Board of Governors in 1980,
Pa Odulesi was a sociable person. He loved music and dancing. He was passionate about the social, economic and political development of his community.
He was an active member of Irolu Development Council 1, Irolu club Exclusive, Remo Progressive Association and was the grand patron of Irolu Progressive Youth Association (IPYA).
Until his glorious departure, Pa Oladele Odulesi was married to his sweetheart, Mrs. Folashade Odulesi.
He is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Wife's Tribute
Until we meet at the feet of the Master
I want to thank family, and friends for their outpouring of love over the past few months since my husband, Chief T.O. Odulesi walked into eternity. I also want to thank those who have been a blessing to us. Thank you!
While life has not always been easy, God, in his wisdom, blessed me with Theodore Oladele as a companion when our journey started in 1974. Through this journey we raised an army of children, and grandchildren. Truly our life has been one of countless joys and a few heartbreaks.
To celebrate the man that you are, I want to highlight a few things about you
- First of all, Wow! We did 47 years together…I couldn’t have envisioned this life as a young woman but I am thankful that I have walked these 47 years beside you
- Faith in God held us up. You were not perfect but you always had a heart for God.
- Music was food for your soul. Yet it was music in service of God that lit your heart on fire. You had a song or a rhyme for all your children and their grandchildren. These songs are windows into how you feel about them. When I recall these songs and your voice, I am saddened yet happy.
- You are the very definition of a caring and selfless man. You love your children, and will bend over backwards to see them do well. You know when to apply tough love, and when to discipline them. No matter how tough you seemed, your heart could never take seeing your children in pain. When your children hurt, you hurt.
- You are a wise man Ladele. You saw good in people yet held them accountable. Your gentle words can break the toughest of hearts. Yet you can be firm and unyielding when you believe in a cause. I love that about you.
- You worked hard Ladele. There was never a question about your desire to provide for your family, and give them the very best while also pointing them to God
- You cared for me. You truly cared for me. You gave me your love, the wonderful children God blessed us with, and you were always comforting and preparing me for this day. Thank you my dear
- It takes the strongest of wills to not be swept into living beyond one’s means; you were never that person. You knew who you were. You always had the long game in mind
- You are my good gist partner, and my closest friend. Even through our fights and squabbles, no one knows me better
- Time would not permit me to go on and speak about who you’ve been to me these years but I will say that your legacy is not in your wealth or achievements. Your legacy is your character and it is reflected in who you were to each and everyone of us. When I speak of you Ladele, I shall speak of you as a Giant in the land, one who is to be emulated.
Even now as I read this tribute, I can still hear your shuffling feet, your familiar yet calming voice. I hear your expressions, and laughter and it makes me smile. I am thankful to God, for your life, and it is indeed fitting that I was there when you took your last breath on this side of eternity.
We do not mourn as those who do not have hope, but because Jesus is the resurrection and the life, you, Ladele, are alive with him. Faith has become sight! God is not done with you, and you are not done with God. You are resting with your Fathers and Mothers, where there are no tears and death is no more. And so we will see each other again, and this time never to part again.
To my husband, Chief T.O. Odulesi, Omo wera oke ti adeiyun, otete arinkoye lona, Omo odoru ni Iperu, Omo mo ruwafu, tolowoye, Omo elerigigbedu, Omo oku, olowo moju more ti ara ife, Omo idomole ni isheri, omo kafowowa, kafajewa, kafogedegede Owo was lorile isherimole.
Sun re o, ololufe mi…. A o pade lese Jesu
