Makinde… My life at 80

PHARMACIST, administrator and businessman, Chief Adebayo Makinde, recently turned 80 and has every reason to give thanks to God Almighty for keeping him. He says at 80 life could never have been more interesting. According to him, “Life has been interesting, challenging and fulfilling”. 

  Makinde was born in Lagos. He was educated at Baptist Primary Academy in 1944, then located on Broad Street, Lagos, till 1950, and completed his secondary education in 1955 with a Division 1 grade and overall best result for his set of West African School Certificate Examination.

  He worked briefly as an assistant at Nigeria Broadcasting Service in 1956. He then attended Pharmacy School, Yaba and passed out in 1957, with a diploma in Pharmacy in 1959. Thereafter, Makinde joined Kingsway Chemists, a subsidiary of United African Company (UAC) in 1959. After five years with Kingsway Chemists, he partnered with five friends in Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan and Ile-Ife in an entrepreneurial venture, and was made Managing Director of Jolisters Chemists Nigeria Ltd/Industries. He later partnered with his bosom friend, Chief Ayola Akanwo in August 2007 to form SATA Pharmacy Limited with branches in Lagos and Ile-Ife.

  Makinde enthused, “I feel happy to be closer to God at this age, although sad that I didn’t start early enough. But I am appreciative to God, my Creator, my pastor who worked effortless to assist me to get Bible knowledge and my family for the huge support”.

  Makinde has served in various capacities in the churches. He was chairman, Building Committee, Transport Committee; Director, Baptist Students Fellowship and President, Ifelodun Society among others. For his selfless contribution and involvement in community activities, he was conferred with the traditional title of Sagbua of Oyo on March 27, 1982 by His Majesty, Oba Lamide Olayiwola Adeyemi 111.

  As a Rotarian and former President of Rotary Club of Ogba, 1984-1985, he has been contributing significantly to humanity. He helped built and stocked Agindigbi Grammar School Library, refurbishment and stocking of Chemistry Laboratory for Ogba Grammar School and sponsorship of children of Save Our Soul (SOS) Village, Isolo, Lagos on an excursion to Jos. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and has a Merit Award of Pharmaceutical Society (PSN).

  As the PTA Chairman of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, 1989-1999, he built some blocks of classrooms, restructured an old building to a modern one, built new toilets and a new fence around the school. He is also involved in various charity works for the needy in the society.

  Makinde relaxes by spending time “with my two wives, children and grandchildren when they are around and friends. I equally spend time with young people to mentor them. I always do some exercises to remain fit. It is always fun-time and magical”.