It is often said that the height that great men later attain in life, is not an overnight flight .It takes dint of hardwork, determination, diligence, endurance,perseverance and unflinching faith in the Almighty God .
The above, aptly captures the life of Dr.Oluwaleye Adeniji, the Executive Chairman, Ekameta Local Council Development Area of Ekiti .
Adeniji, by all standard, is a young man with adult profile, who against all odds and obstacles in his early journey of life, attained greatness.
A very decent, courageous,focused ,firm ,purposeful and precise personality, who have unmatchable passion, towards the growth and advancement of his LCDA.
He was born in Ikogosi Ekiti in Ekameta LCDA of Ekiti West, 50 years ago into the family of Late Mr. Samuel Odeniwon Adeniji aka Amoorin, and late Mrs Eunice Bosede Adeniji, who both inculcated right values in him. Unfortunately however, he lost his father at a tender age of 3.
He attended Ikogosi Day Baptist Primary School for his elementary education in 1979, obtained Primary School leaving certificate in 1985, and thereafter
proceeded to Ikogosi High School, Ikogosi Ekiti, in 1986, and obtained WAEC/SSCE certificate in 1991.
In both primary and secondary schools attended, Dr Oluwaleye Adeniji distinguished himself, both in learning and character, and towered above his peers .
Between 1992 and 1995 he experienced a set back, as he was unable to proceed for his tertiary education, due to paucity of funds, thereby making him to venture into farming, so as to save money to further his education.
Despite all his life’s challenges, he worked hard to still become an achiever, and a successful man in all his endeavours, and credit goes to his mother, who struggled alone to raise him and other siblings into maturity.
In 1996 he got admission into Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife, where he studied Local Government Administration at Diploma level, and graduated with Distinction in 1998.
Not yet done with academics. The ever focused and determined Oluwaleye Adeniji, again secured admission into University of Ado Ekiti in 1999, and obtained a B.Sc degree in Economics, with Second Class Upper Division, in 2003.
He did his mandatory NYSC in 1994 at Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Again he proceeded to Ekiti state University, Ado Ekiti in 2010 for Masters Degree programme, where he obtained M.Sc degree in Economics, graduating as the best Msc student in his Department.
Not satisfied yet with acquisition of knowledge, in 2015, he went back to the same Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti, and had his PhD certificate in Development Economics in 2022.
He started his meritorious working career with the “I Am Foundation”, Ikeja Lagos state, a Non-Governmental organization in 2005, as an Assistant Project Manager.
In 2006, he worked in the Credit Control Unit of Berger Paints PLC, Ikeja Lagos.
In 2007, he joined former Oceanic Bank, Ogba branch, Lagos State, as one of their marketing and credit officers.
In 2009, he joined the Ekiti State Community and Social Development Agency ( EKCSDA) World Bank Agency.
In EKSCDA, he worked as a World Bank Consultant, anchoring the position of Operations Officer, and because of his commitment and dedication to duty, he was promoted to the position of Project Officer, before he left the organization for active politics in 2022.
Due to his sterling leadership qualities,
in August 2022, the political Leaders from his Ward, with the Leaders in Ekameta, nominated him for the position of Secretary, in the newly created Ekameta LCDA, Erijiyan Ekiti, and this was approved by the former Governor of Ekiti state, Dr John Kayode Fayemi.
As a Secretary to Ekameta LCDA he satisfactorily performed his duties, guided by the principle of diligence and dedication, coupled with commitment to
selflessly serving to the people.
No wonder, in September 2023, when he resigned from the position of Secretary to contest for the Chairmanship position of Ekameta LCDA, he won the election astoundingly.
To the glory of Almighty God and with the support of current Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and the good people of Ekameta LCDA, he assumed the position of Executive Chairman of Ekameta LCDA, in January 2024, till date. .
Dr Oluwaleye Adeniji, an intellectual per excellence ,a leader with enviable tactics and a servant of the people, has proved himself as a distinguished Local Government Administrator ; serving as solid bridge between all categories of people, within few months of assuming office .
He is happily married to his love of life, Mrs Funmilola Hannah Adeniji, and the marriage is blessed with responsible and promising children .
His impacts and exploits in Ekameta LCDA is beyond measure, and they are found in areas of general governance, human capital development, tourism, education, agriculture, health, security and infrastructure, among others.
Some of these are :
In the area of Governance, immediately he assumed office, he visited all the communities in Ekameta and farmsteads for community engagement. During the visit , he appreciated the community people and they presented their needs to him.
Further to this, he co-sponsored the maiden edition of Ramadan Lecture in Ekameta which took place this year, to show that he doesn’t discriminate against any religion .
He also paid courtesy visits to all the sons and daughters of Ekameta, who resides in Lagos and Ogun states. He used the opportunity to solicit for their support, towards the advancement of Ekameta, and to give report of his stewardship. The visit has started yielding positive results, as his administration had been able to purchase a modern public address system for the Council for smooth communication, during any of public events.
In the area of Human Capital Development, he procured laptops for some officers in the LCDA, in order to enhance their job performance and productivity, while he also organised seminar for all management staff, at Warm Spring Motel, on Budget Performance and Review.
On Agriculture, he purchased, and distributed farm implements as well as seedlings to farmers in Ekameta LCDA, to boost agricultural practices, including cultivation of maize and over 8,000 heaps of cassava, to boost food production and the LCDA internally generated revenue .
In the area of Education, his administration, produced and distributed customised Exercise Books to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools in Ekameta, and also
purchased JAMB forms for some students in the LCDA, and they were distributed free of charge.
The administration also collaborated with Corp members serving in the area, to organise quiz competition among secondary school students in the LCDA.
On Health, the administration facilitated the extension of medical services to some farmsteads in Ekameta, through the assistance of medical staff, via medical outreach, while also ensuring regular inspection to health centers, in order to be abreast of their needs.
In area of Security, knowing fully well that as contained in the 1999 Constitution, security of lives and property is the primary and cardinal objectives of any government.
In recognition of this constitutional responsibility, the council embarked on the project of regular bush combing of forests, to chase away any criminal minded individuals, who may be hiding there. The bush combing has signalled to everybody that Ekameta is a no- go -area for criminals.
Besides, the administration has been providing logistics for security men, in carrying out routine patrol and joint task force, in order to beef up the security architecture of the LCDA.
In addition to this, is the clearing of some of the road verges that leads to Ekameta, from other LG, or LCDA, so as to prevent accidents, and enhance free vehicular movement.
On Tourism, on realising that the LCDA is one of the most focused and thriving tourism corridors in Ekiti, hosting the eighth wonder of the world; the popular Ikogosi Resort Centre, the confluence of warm and cold springs, and Arinta Waterfall, the administration has never handles issues affecting the sector, with levity.
To bolster the LCDA’s potentials in this sector therefore, the administration was able to sponsor the activities of Hikers, who came to visit the site of the first plane crash in Africa, which occurred in April 1942 at Okelapa in Ikogosi Ekiti. The hikers came, in order to open the site to global recognition, and to invite foreign investors who can assist in developing the site.
On Infrastructure, the sector is considered a driver of the economy and magnetic force to investors. Consequently therefore, action was started on the construction of permanent site of the LCDA, and presently, work is ongoing at the site.
Also ,there is financial empowerment for widows and less privileges in the LCDA.
As a result of his achievements, everybody in his part of Ekiti, his hometown, always gravitates towards him. He seems to have a magnetic pull, and thus, everywhere he went, he is hailed as a leader! It is not surprising therefore that he commanded the respect of the people, and this is always massive.
