Comdr. Olofinmoyin @ 70: An Epitome Of Military Administrator With Unique Difference – Penpushing
By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
Foremost Nigeria Online Newspaper, Penpushing Media has congratulated the former Military Administrator of Ogun State, Commodore Olukayode Olofinmoyin as he joined the league septuagenarian today in good health.
The retired naval officer born in 1950, and christened Kayode Luke Olofinmoyin to the family of Pa Peter Olofinmoyin and Mama Olofinmoyin, both of blessed memory from Ejisun family of Okegbede Street, Oke Emo quarters in Ilawe-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti South-West local government in the present day Ekiti State in Nigeria.
Comdr. Olofinmoyin, whose tenure as the military administrator lasted for only nine months in Gateway State before the emergence of democratic elected government in 1999 was characterized with sound and qualitative achievements, many of such are still visible till now across the state, two decades after.
In a congratulatory message and tribute written by the publisher of the media outfit, Kayode Oladimeji, to celebrate the superb administrator at 70, and was made available to Daily Dispatch on Wednesday, he described Comdr. Olofinmoyin as an epitome of enviable character, worthy of emulation and being celebrated.
Uncle Dimeji, as fondly called in his remarks categorised the Ilawe-Ekiti born, naval officer as God’s sent servant that changed the fortune of Ogun communities and state generally.
The publisher noted that the retired Commodore, clocks 70 today, is no doubt possesses an affable personality and unflagging patriotism that has remained a leading light in the society.
He added that his rare ability to blend servant leadership and self-sacrifice with dignity and humility has not only remained a reference point, but also a source of inspiration for future generation of leaders in Nigeria.
In his testimonial, the veteran journalist wrote that the celebrant, who was the fourth child in the family grew up in Ibadan where his parents worked, and had his primary education there, while his secondary education was at Annunciation School, Ikere Ekiti. Not much was known about him at his home base in Ilawe-Ekiti during his youthful days because of the distance.
“The Ilawe blood in his father paved the way for the young Kayode, following emergence of his father as Chairman of Egbe Ọmọ Ilawe (IIU), Ibadan branch, and Kayode always partook in the preparation for and the hosting of meetings of Egbe Ọmọ Ilawe from time to time.
“He also performed the same hospitality duties whenever Oba Akinola Adefolalu came to Ibadan in connection with the protracted land case between Ilawe and Ado. The monarch and his entourage always accommodated at Pa Olofinmoyin’s house then. This was how he picked up interest in Ilawe affairs and the love of Ilawe took root in him at a tender age.
“Following the mentoring and counselling of Lt. Col. S A Afolalu (rtd.) who was the highest military officer from Ilawe then, young Kayode took up a career in the Nigerian Navy early in life. The promising Ekiti born navigated his way up, through the ranks passing all requisite professional military examinations with flying colours, including the prestigious F.W.C and he rose to the enviable rank of Commodore in the Nigerian Navy.
“However, as soon as his career rose to become a senior officer in the Navy, his endemic love for his home base Ilawe started to manifest particularly during the long military regime in Nigeria.
“Various cadres of Chiefs in town, including the military cadre who have hijacked him into their group, normally called him chief because he is the Jagunmolu of Ilawe. To the younger generation, he was not only a fine gentleman of impeccable character, but also an unostentatious performer as well as a philanthropist.
“Even, the politicians did admire him too because, despite his popularity and acceptability in Ilawe, he was not in competition with anybody.
“The Naval boss is happily married to Olaibiyimika Olofinmoyin (nee Somolu), on 24th of January, 1976, and they bot
