This is the third anniversary of the Great icon, Alao Akala’s remembrance, marking the passing of former Governor of Oyo State, Alao-Akala, at the age of 72.
As we all know that death is inevitable.The memory of the righteous is sweet.
It feels like yesterday when Alao-Akala, the son of Ọpadoyin, answered the call of the Almighty.
What a tragedy! A giant fell like a mountain on January 12, 2022. His sudden death shocked his family, friends, loved ones, the people of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria, and the world at large.
Everyone lamented the loss of such a kind-hearted man, exclaiming, “We have lost Bọda Bayo, the compassionate one, the pillar of hope!”
His unexpected demise brought deep sorrow to the hearts of many, who felt it was not yet his time to depart from this world.
Young and old, men and women, all admired Alao-Akala during his lifetime.
Ọtunba Christopher Alao-Akala Ọpadoyin was born in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria, on June 3, 1950.
He rose from humble beginnings, overcoming life’s challenges through divine grace to achieve global recognition, particularly in politics, where he excelled and attained remarkable heights.
The death of his father in a road accident in 1952 posed a major challenge to his dreams of greatness. But through resilience and divine providence, Alao-Akala emerged as a beacon of success.
He was the sixth governor of Oyo State and a prominent figure in its political landscape.
He began his early education at Osupa Baptist Day School in Ogbomoso and later attended Ogbomoso High School. His academic pursuits extended to Kamina Barracks Middle School and the 5th Battalion of Infantry in Tamale, Ghana, and the Government Technical College, Tamale, in northern Ghana.
Alao-Akala’s career began as a police officer. He was appointed Cadet Inspector of Police in June 1974 at the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja.
He held various roles in the police force before retiring in September 1995 as the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Logistics and Supply at the Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State. His contributions to the Nigeria Police Force were significant and impactful.
Alao Akala was multilingual, fluent in English, Yoruba, and Hausa, and he spoke these languages proficiently.
It is worth noting that Alao-Akala passed away just a month after the demise of the Sọ̀ún of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who died in December 2021. Alao-Akala’s death on January 12, 2022, brought immense grief to the people of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and beyond.
Alao-Akala, the son of Ọpadoyin, was a pillar of his community and a beacon of hope.
We pray that the legacy he left behind remains fruitful and that his descendants prosper by God’s grace.
May sudden and untimely death not be the portion of anyone in Jesus name🙏
