Prince Olajide Noah Aboderin fondly called as Okunnu is celebrating his golden jubilee today Wednesday, 23rd of June, 2021. As this gentleman join the class of quinquagenarian, my sincere wish for him is that, God in His infinite mercies will make the rest of his life, the best of his life.
There is no doubt, golds are priceless. They are rare and of class. So, is it with some humans who towers in stature and status, whose superlative virtues distinguish. For Jide Aboderin, a rising Ogbomoso born politician, he’s but a dedicated, deep , hardworking, and industrious man with a heart of gold, who is celebrating his golden jubilee birthday today.
At 50, it is therefore my pleasure on behalf of Ogbomoso sons and daughters who know Okunnu to celebrate him publicly. Although, many Ogbomosos are familiar with the name – Okunnu. The other well-known Okunnu is the one in the Yoruba film industry, the Ogbomoso born comedian, Wale Akorede. However, Prince Jide Aboderin – Okunnu is a true epitome and definition of beauty with brain, unquestionable character and a sense of humor that has distinguished him. A man graciously imbued with wisdom and knowledge to serve and put smiles on the faces of people. He is, no doubt, a good example of an hardworking, generous, accomplished and disciplined individual.
Jide Aboderin was born into the noble and royal family of Bunmileyi, Oke Osupa, Ogbomoso between the union of late Prince Moses Owolabi Aboderin and Madam Rebecca Ayanboade Ayandokun Aboderin. Meanwhile, Alapasu is the traditional chieftancy title of Bunmileyi’s house. This rare gem attended the famous Osupa Baptist Primary Day School, Ogbomoso between 1976 and 1983. Thereafter, to the prestigious Anglican Grammar School, Sabo, Ogbomoso from 1983 to 1989. In his secondary school days, he was a Sports enthusiasts. He participated in almost all the Sports activities: Football , Volleyball , Handball , Badminton and track events. Jide Aboderin earned his guy name- Okunnu during his Secondary school days due to his love for sports and popularity among the students. He also attended Government Technical College, Ogbomoso from 1990 to 1993. At the Government Technical College, Okunnu was the Assistant General Secretary of Ogbomoso Students Union in 1991. In the following year, 1992 he was the General Secretary and crowned it up in 1993 as the President Ogbomoso Students Union, Ogbomoso Government Technical College chapter. Before he graduated from the school, he was elected as the Chairman Conference of the President and was Successfully handover power to Adeoye Adebayo Are-Ago with landmark achievements.
Prince Jide Aboderin is an alumnus of Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State. Where he Studied Building Technology through the help of Chief Adebayo Areago, the late Mayegun of Ogbomosoland. Remarkably, during his stayed at Bida (between 1994 to 1997) with the help of God and his influence, Okunnu was able to secure admission for over 200 Ogbomoso sons and daughters. He was a member of Oyo State Students Union and thereafter became the godfather among the students of Bida polytechnic. During his studentship at Bida, he was one of the forces to be recone with. In the campus politics, Okunnu dictated the way elections go. This sounds paradoxical. Yet it is not far from the gospel truth. In fact, any candidate fighting for political post needs to worship Okunnu. His campus political godfatherism earned him the appellation – Baba Oba of Oyo State among the students of Bida Polytechnic. In 1996 he single handedly installed the whole Executive members of the Oyo State Students Association, Federal Polytechnic Bida chapter that produced Adeyemi Adelakun, an Abuja based Charter Accountant as President , Hon Olatunde Martin’s the Current Peoples Democrats Party (PDP) Ward 9 Chairman in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area as the Secretary and the Current Executive Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government, Hon. Kabiru Akanji Ayoade as a member of the Executive.
After his education, he settled down at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This gentleman worked briefly with Chief (Mrs.) Omolabake Olabisi Abiola, one of the widows of the late MKO Abiola, before he joined ELMAC ASSURANCE. He then resigned because of his decision to upscale his ambition for inexplicable reasons and aimed for the Councillorship ticket under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007. However, the PDP found it hard to grant the freshman its Councillorship ticket and he was therefore stepped down based on dialogue with the party chieftains. Piqued by the unholy turn of events at the 2007 Local Government primary, Prince Jide Aboderin however remained true to his ambition and remained loyal to the party. He didn’t defected from the party.
Thereafter, in 2009 he went back to Abuja and joined the service of UNOPS (UNITED NATION’S OFFICE FOR PROJECT SERVICES). At UNOPS, he was among the few that were selected to mediate in the borders dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon. He later resigned in 2011 when his people persuaded him to contest the Councillorship election in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Osupa ward. Unfortunately, the Local Government Election did not hold. With this second attempt, Okunnu remained unshaken and undeterred. Thereafter, in 2019 Prince Jide Aboderin was one of the leading candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for Oyo State House of Assembly, but he stepped down at the party primary for other candidate based on the agreement that he would be compensated along side with other candidates that were compelled to stepped down. But, unfortunately the party failed to fulfill its promise for them. However, despite the party unfulfilled promise, Okunnu still remains loyal and committed to the PDP. And, he doesn’t lost confidence in his political leader, Rt. Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola.
With the passage of time, in 2014, Okunnu with his iron-cast determination had to go back to Abuja. He joined the service of UN WOMEN (UNITED NATION WOMEN and he was posted to Gombe State and later reposted to Abuja in 2018. In 2019 he have to shift his work, he therefore joined the service of UNDP. There is no doubt, with his wealth of working experience, Prince Jide Aboderin is now a senior staff of the UNDSS, all these organizations are under the umbrella of UNITED NATION.
Certainly, at 50, life still has a lot stored up for this loyal and promising Ogbomoso born politician. Unarguably, Okunnu is one of the rising politicians. His ever smiling disposition brings forward a happy mien that is intricately infectious. Like his forebears in Ogbomoso always say, the future tends to be brighter for he who smiles often. This is just a tribute to wish Prince Jide Aboderin a happy golden jubilee birthday.
SUNDAY OGUNKUADE,
08036142877
OGBOMOSO.
