Family, Friends, Remember Sir Michael Otedola

FAMILY and friends a few days ago remembered the late former Lagos State governor, Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola.

A special prayer was said to have been organised at the family house in Epe for the remembrance, with a handful of family members in attendance.

Otedola who died on May 5, 2014 was later buried in May 29 and 30 2014 in a carnival-like party in his country home in Epe.

Otedola who was said to have died of a stroke -related ailment that had kept him from public glare for the almost five years, was born on July 16, 1926 into a Muslim family at Odoragunsin, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Having completed his elementary studies, he moved to Lagos to pursue his education and won a scholarship to study Journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London where he graduated in 1958. Otedola began his career as a teacher before working as a reporter at the St. Pancras Chronicle, then as a reporter and later sub-editor at The Guardian and The Times in London.

When he returned to Nigeria in 1959, he became an Information Officer in the Western Nigeria government and was appointed the Editor of the Western Nigeria Illustrated.

In 1961, he moved into public relations, working for Western Nigeria Television/Western Broadcasting Service (1961-1964) and Mobil Oil Group of Companies (1964-1977).

He continued as a consultant to Mobil after leaving the company before joining politics. He was elected Governor of Lagos State from 1992 to 1993 on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC). However, he could not complete his tenure in office due to the political imbroglio that characterized the regime.

It is on record that his administration facilitated establishing the Yaba College of Technology campus in Epe, his home town.

Otedola, an accomplished technocrat upon leaving office, continued his career as a writer and consultant, holding positions on the boards of various companies.

He was a philanthropist of great repute, a feat that got him Lifetime Achievement Awards from many organisations.

He is the father of Femi Otedola who became the billionaire owner of Nigerian oil giant, Forte Oil and Gas Limited