Oh No! Second Republic Politician, Olaniyan Is Dead

Chief Christian Ipoola Olaniyan, a Second Republic politician and eminent educationist, has died, The Nation reports.

He was 92.

The deceased was a Commissioner for Local Government in the defunct Victor Olunloyo’s administration, and proprietor of Victory Group of Schools in Lagos State.

A product of Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra-Leone, and Trinity College, University of Dublin, United Kingdom, he served as the principal of Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Ibadan and Oriwu College, Ikorodu, before Victory Grammar School, Ikeja, Victory Home School, Ojota and Victory Home School, Ode-Omu, Osun State.

His former students include Prof. John Abioye, Chief Abiola Morakinyo, Osuolale Oyefiran, an architect, Prof. Abraham Oyedeji, Prof. Keye Akinbami, Chief Timothy Adesiyan, and Hakeem Dickson, former chairman of Surulere Council in Lagos.

Olaniyan was drafted into politics in 1959 by local party leaders of Ode-Omu, including Pa Dawodu Makanjuola, Pa Ezekiel Adelowo and other grassroots politicians, who agitated that the area should be represented by an educated person.

Despite losing his regional parliamentary bid, the foray opened his eyes to the imperative of politics as a veritable vocation for serving the locality.

Although he was appointed commissioner in 1983, Olaniyan quit politics in 1984 to face his educational interests, following the military intervention in politics.

His daughter, Mrs. Titi Adenekan, told reporters in Lagos the children have resolved to protect his legacies as an educator, administrator, politician, Scout patron and community leader.

She said: “Victory High School has turned out 332,000 students till date. Other seven schools are not resting on their oars, but continue to turnout successful candidates as well.”

Adenekan also praised Olaniyan’s philanthropist activities, recalling that ‘he never stopped awarding scholarship in Egbedore District of Osun State’. She said many of the beneficiaries became professors, medical doctors, lawyers, architects and other professionals, who now constitute a formidable association known as ‘Olaniyan Scholars’.

The deceased was the Atunluse of Ode-Omu, Bobajiro of Ikeja, Baagbimo of Onigbagbo/Opebi, and Justice of Peace (JP).

His son, Biola Olaniyan, said his father had a succession plan, adding that plans are also underway to immortalise him for his service to humanity.