Remembering Dejak

Recently, stakeholders in the art industry paid homage to the late Oladejo Victor Akinlolu (Dejak).

Popular known for blending art with architecture, creating a landscape that is organic and beautiful, Akinlonu(Dejak)  passed on at the age of 60.

A gem in the eyes of many and a foundation for many successes, in his not-so-short life, he affected a lot of people in several ways and the result of his impact will last for a very long time.

Oladejo, the last child of his parents, was born on November 25, 1963 to the family of Akinlonu, his father, Gilbert Oladosu, was a notable sanitary inspector and his mother, Motolagbe Agbede was a businesswoman from Ondo State.

Oladejo started his primary education at St Patrick’s Primary School in Ondo State and proceeded to the prestigious Ondo Boy’s High School, he later moved to Premier College, Yaba, Lagos, now Jibowu High School to complete his secondary school certificate.

While awaiting the school certificate result, Oladejo registered at the printing and graphic school Yaba where he obtained a certificate equivalent to Higher National Diploma (HND) in graphic design and printing, he later enrolled in for a correspondence programme in marketing at the University of Manchester, where he equally obtained a diploma certificate.

Because of his love and passion for creative art, while still undergoing his diploma programme, in 1984, he founded Dejak Artistique with funds meant for his tuition, which has since left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s art scene and beyond.

Dejak and Associate Nig Ltd was incorporated on April 15, 1988 and since then became a notable outfit dispensing reputable services all over the world.

His first studio was established at No.3, Shonaike Street, Ketu, where the company was commissioned to build a life-sized Rolls Royce with Fiberglass in 1989 for Debasco Motors, in 1990, during the military era of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Dejak Artistique Monument corner was founded in Oregun, the site was approved in the Lagos State map and in its designed beautification scheme schedule.

Some of the work by Dejak Artistique includes Koleosho roundabout Ikeja under bridge, MKO Abiola Triangular Garden, Oba Adeniji Dolphin Estate Gate House, Oshodi Heritage park, and Dejak Artistique Monument corner in Oregun among others.

In the year 1998, he was awarded the title the Custodian of Art”(TCOA) by the Nigerian Society of Journalists and he has been awarded several other titles due to his immense contribution to the art industry in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

During his lifetime he was a devoted Christian who gave his life to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ he was a church member of Daystar Christian Center Ikeja Lagos.

Oladejo Victor Akinlolu is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.