Michael Koleosho was a courageous patriot, and a thoroughbred politician – Afenifere

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere, has described the former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleosho, JP, OFR, as an outstanding Nigerian patriot who has made indelible marks in the sands of time.

Koleosho was a chieftain of Afenifere and indeed a former chairman of the organization in Oyo State.
In a tribute signed on behalf of the organization by its Secretary General, Agbaakin Ademola Folarin and the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere stated that Koleosho was a courageous patriot, a redoubtable politician and an accomplished businessman.

The statement quoted Chief Reuben Fasoranti, OFR, The Leader of Afenifere, as enjoining the immediate and extended families of the departed patriot to take heart and be consoled by the good legacy left behind by their patriarch.

It would be recalled that the former Chairman of Alliance for Democracy breathed his last in his house in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday, September 2, 2024. He was 86-year-old.

The man who later became known as Babalaje was born into Emi-Abata family in Saki, Oyo State on April 30, 1938. He had his elementary education in Saki before proceeding to Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo. For his tertiary education, he attended School of Hygiene, Eleyele in Ibadan where he studied Environmental Sanitation.

After a stint in the civil service, he ventured into business focusing on commodity distribution, transportation, real estate and hospitality.
He began his notable political journey by becoming a Councilor in his native Ifedapo Local Government Area, Saki, in the Old Oyo State in 1976. At the inception of the second republic in 1979, he was elected as a member of the State House of Assembly representing Ifedapo constituency on the platform of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo-led Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN. He was later appointed a Commissioner in the State Executive Council by Governor Bola Ige who became Governor of the state that same year.

According to Afenifere, Koleosho made his mark both in business and in politics. He was also a remarkable philanthropist. In his various spheres of endeavour, he distinguished himself as an outstanding public-spirited politician, a devoted and selfless community leader and a humane and compassionate patriot, for which he earned several accolades and recognition, including national honours- Officer of The Federal Republic and the bestowment of the traditional title of- Babalaje.

As a member of Afenifere, Koleosho’s courage further came to the fore during the struggles to wean the country from military rule first prior 1979 and during the struggle that made the junta to relinquish power in 1999.

Unlike the saying that a prophet does not have honour in his own home, Koleosho was respected in his community. He used his influence to have a campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to be established in Saki. Governor Seyi Makinde, in May, 2024, renamed the institution after him, thus becoming Michael Adeniyi Koleosho Polytechnic from Oke ogun Polytechnic that it had borne hitherto.

His sterling qualities earned him chietaincy titles of Aare of Ogbooro, Saki East local government area of Oyo State, Akogun of Ijeruland in Ogbomoso, Amulutoro of Ojeland and Otun Bobagunwa of Gbongan in Osun State.

Afenifere concluded by calling on young ones to emulate his good qualities just as it commiserates with members of his immediate and extended families, the people of Saki and Oyo State as well as Oyo State Government which the deceased served as SSG under late Governor Lam Adesina.