Twenty-four hours ago, Dr Lekan Adewuyi (PhD) clocked 60 and did not allow the day to slip away. He spoke extensively with TheTabloid.net on his voyage which took off on October 16, 1966, in his hometown, Osogbo, the Osun State capital. Excerpts:
Can you recall the circumstances under which you were born as narrated to you by your parents?
How I wish my father, Alhaji Abdulbakar Seriki Ajao Adewuyi, and my mother, Alhaja Sikirat Mojoyinola Faderera Abegbe Adewuyi, were alive today to witness my 60th birthday. God really blessed them with children. I am the 11th of the 19 they had. I am the second born of my mother’s eight.
How did your growing up years look like, especially between primary and secondary schools?
I was very playful but enterprising when I was growing up. I started primary school around 1972 at John Mackay Primary School, Oke-Ayepe, Osogbo. I attended Ogidan Grammar School from 1980 to 1985 and passed out with the first and best complete result, with all eight subjects passed in credits and excellent grades at one sitting.
Your journey to higher institutions. When and where?
On one fateful day, Pa Adeomi (Adewumi) came to visit my dad and met me at home while all the young children were in school. Pa Adewumi asked why I was home at that particular time; I told him that I had passed out of secondary school. He then asked my dad to take me to St. Charles to resit my WASC. He apparently assumed I needed to resit, but I told him that I had passed all my subjects at once. That singular statement changed my course in life.
How did it change it?
Without knowing what Pa Adewumi discussed with my dad, the following day, I found him and myself in a car on our way to the University of Ibadan, Department of Special Education, where Pa Adewumi’s daughter, Dr (Mrs) Elizabeth Ololade Adesokan, was a lecturer. Shortly, I joined the service of the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) in 1986 as a Research Assistant, working directly with Prof. Eddy Ujokwu and Prof. David Ajakaiye. In 1988, my admission was facilitated by Prof. Babatunde Benjamin Adeleke into the Department of Chemistry to study Industrial Chemistry. I graduated with B.Sc in 1992 and Master of Science in Industrial/Environmental Chemistry in 1997 with the best result in the Industrial unit. I enrolled for a PhD degree in Environmental Chemistry at the Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry under the supervision of the late Prof. Olajire Abass. Unfortunately, I could not finish with him. I transferred the admission to the University of Zululand, Kwadlangezwa, South Africa, with the help of Prof. Adeola Nejo, who later lost his life in a ghastly motor accident before the ratification of the South African grant.
What was the effect of this disappointment on your pace?
The incident put a temporary stop to the PhD programme. I felt unaccomplished without the completion of the PhD programme. This led me to continue with two erudite professors, Prof. Malomo (Polymer Chemistry) and Prof. Ayanda (Environmental Chemistry) at the Federal University of Technology, Oye-Ekiti, from 2021 to 2024. In summary, my academic journey started in 1972 and hit the bus stop at the PhD junction in 2024.
Where did you observe the NYSC scheme and what was your first employment?
I served at the NNPC, Maiduguri, Borno State, as a Mud Engineer/Analyst drilling for crude oil on Lake Chad. I was recommended to be retained after service, but the political tension then forced me to leave immediately in 1993. My first employment was self-employment. A friend of mine, Engr. Segun Salami, and I formed a company named LEKSEG Ventures, dealing in environmental sanitation and equipment, just as a side hustle to see both of us through our studies. Segun was in an HND programme at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, and I was getting back to the University of Ibadan for my Master’s degree. I was on the http://M.Sc programme when one of my former secondary school teachers, Mr Moses Olayinka, invited me for an interview as an Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Osun State. I was eventually posted to Osun State School of Science, Imesi-Ile, where I served for three years and later transferred my service to the Osun State Environmental Protection Agency, from where I was drafted into politics.
How did you find the transition from school to labour market?
It was relatively easy to find a job then (1990 to 1995). At worst, you would get a teaching job. After graduation in 1992, all my course mates were fully employed by 1994.
Can you share your journey into politics?
Actually, my journey into politics was in-born. I started at a tender age of 14. That was in 1979. Smart children were recruited then to be election polling guards. Our role was to enter the polling station with old/illiterate voters in order to guide them to vote rightly for the Unity Party of Nigeria in the Oyo State governorship election of July 28, 1979, that produced Chief Bola Ige as Governor. Since then, it has been politics all the way. While in the university, I was the Public Relations Officer for the Faculty of Science Students Association (FASSA), member of the Supreme Court, Sultan Bello Hall; member, Students’ Representatives Council; Chapter and National Public Relations Officer of Osogbo National Students Union, 1990-1991. I was fully involved in the 1991 Osun State governorship elections due to a tie between UI Faculty of Science Students Union and Governor Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke. It started in the old Oyo State before the creation of Osun State. Alhaji Adeleke was the grand patron of FASSA and we owed him our support to become the governor of the old Oyo State. After the creation of Osun State on August 27, 1991, we had to follow him down to Osun as part of the youth wing. After the elections, we all went for our NYSC. Coming back home, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, popularly called Serubawon, had been elected governor. There was no more easy access to him like we had before. We lost contact. Then the military took over the government of Nigeria on November 17, 1993. The emergence of NADECO motivated some of us to form Osun Youths Vanguard. I served as secretary. In our own part, we fought the military government to pave the way for transition to civilian rule and the Fourth Republic. My involvement as Secretary of Osun Youths Vanguard ensured the victory of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) at the local government elections of December 5, 1998, and the state elections on January 5, 1999. This gave me the opportunity to be nominated for the post of Executive Secretary of Osogbo Local Government after serving briefly as Personal Assistant to Alhaji Layi Oyeduntan, then Commissioner for Water Resources. This led to my exit from the service of Osun State Government.
When and why did you decide to relocate to the US?
After the PDP government in Osun State was sacked by the Court of Appeal in Ibadan on November 26, 2010, I decided to stay out of politics for a while. I went back to academics as a lecturer at Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, and a part-time lecturer at Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife. I finally relocated to the USA when my daughter decided to school in America, and there was no way I could pay the tuition fees if I remained in Nigeria.
How did you settle down in your new environment?
It wasn’t easy at all because one had to start afresh; no more personal driver, no political associates that were ready to run an errand for you. A one-time executive secretary and lecturer now a common subordinate, learning as a starter and doing odd jobs to make ends meet.
Comparatively, are you fulfilled in the US or missing Nigeria?
Alhamdulillah, I will say I’m fulfilled, not in terms of material things, but I was able to complete my PhD programme in Environmental Chemistry. I was able to bag a second Master’s degree, http://M.Sc in Cybersecurity. My kids were able to attend some of the best universities around. One of my boys, whose childhood ambition was to be a military officer, is now an officer in the US Army. One is in his pilot training programme and the last one is still in high school.
When did you set up Crownfit Logistics?
Crownfit Global Innovation Services Nigeria Ltd was incorporated on April 2, 2013. But I pulled out in 2014, then came Crownfit Global Logistics, which was incorporated on December 4, 2021, with sole ownership.
How is its performance so far, in terms of delivery of its purpose?
The performance of Crownfit Global Logistics is excellent, satisfactory to clients’ expectations, most especially in the importation of used cars and the importation of heavy and scientific equipment.
What attracts you to community development activities?
Service to humanity seems to be my calling. I am usually excited when I involve myself in the community I find myself. So, engaging in selfless community development gives me joy and satisfaction.
How is the Osogbo Progressives Union USA doing in meeting its mandate to the town?
Osogbo Progressives Union USA is doing its best in giving back to the community that nurtured its members. On an annual basis, it gives scholarship awards to students of higher institutions of Osogbo origin worth N10 million yearly, bankrolling the cost of extra-mural classes for secondary school students, empowerment of artisans like barbers, tailors and hairdressers, financing medical missions biannually for free medical and surgical services for Osogbo community and, among all other programmes, the annual food palliative package. OPU USA also collaborates with others to maintain order, peace, unity and progress of our motherland, Osogbo.
Do you see yourself staging a return to politics in future?
For now, no.
What lesson did you learn during your politics years?
Well, most politicians are planless and have no focus. Career officers detect the direction of most politicians due to the fact that most of them lack experience. What do you have to say about House of Assembly members that have never worked in any establishment before winning an election? To be very successful in Nigerian politics, you are to be selfish, be a pathological liar, be callous, a betrayer and greedy. In most cases, the best candidate without a godfather and money will never be a successful politician. Our political system is highly wasteful, a breeding ground for thugs and bandits.
Is Nigeria of today that of your dream in 1999 when you were Secretary to Osogbo Local Government, in particular?
No. In 1999, due to the nascent democracy, there was fairness and accountability; there was rule of law; there was clear separation of power and community involvement in the day-to-day running of government, unlike today when executive power is too much and uncheckable because the executive officer controls the state budget.
How do you feel clocking 60 years?
I will say Alhamdulillah, celebrating “Diamond Jubilee” is by the special grace of Almighty Allah. I pray for the next stage to be full of joy, sound health and more blessings.
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