Encomiums have continued to pour in as Otunba Ayodele Elesho, a retired labour leader, former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State and Agba Akin of Ikorodu celebrates his 70th birthday in Ikorodu.
Otunba Elesho hosted family and friends to a Church Thanksgiving Service at Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Church, Ita-elewa in Ikorodu. This was later followed with a 70th Birthday Reception at the Ikorodu Town Hall.
In his Goodwill Message at the event, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba (Engr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi congratulated Otunba Ayodele Elesho on his 70th birthday. The monarch attested to the fact that, since he has known Sir Elesho, he has been making him and Ikorodu proud.
‘Ever since I have given him the chieftaincy title as Agba Akin of Ikorodu, he has never let me down. There is no time I call for his attention that he’s not available. My prayer for him is that whenever he calls onGod,God will answer him speedily’ Oba Shotobi said.
Earlier, in his address,the chairman of the event Sir Bola Ogunsanwo said, ‘I celebrate my birthday yesterday and I’m five years older than Ayodele. I’m very happy celebrating Sir Ayodele Elesho’s 70th birthday because it’s not an easy task to witness a day like this. Most of the people you started with are not longer alive but I’m happy because of the grace of God upon your life and I pray you live to celebrate many more years on earth’.
Sir Otunba Ayodele Oluwole Elesho KJW is a Political Scientist and Public Service Administrator who was born in Ikorodu on 12th January 1951 to the family of Late.Pa Bambo Elesho also known as Baba Teacher and Late. Madam Dorcas Elesho also known as Iya Onipala.
Sir Elesho attended Methodist Primary School Ikorodu from 1957-1962 and in 1963 he started a wealthy and fabrication apprenticeship as his parents were poor and unable to pay for his education and from 1964-1968 he attended the National College Ebute-meta Lagos.
After that Sir Elesho started working in Nigeria Oil Limited in Kano from 1968-1969,then he went to Triabo Nigeria Limited and worked from 1969-1971 and then proceeded to Lagos State Ministry of Works and Planning and worked there from 1972-1981. In 1981 he became the Organizing Secretary of Lagos State Civil Service Workers Technical Union and an official of the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Eager to further his education, he enrolled for Industrial Relation at the University of Lagos in 1981,he then proceeded to the Academic of Social Science and Management in Bulgarian where he studied Political Science and thereafter completed his post graduate study at Learning International School in Moscow in1987. He served as the Assistant Secretary, Secretary and Chairman of Lagos State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress. As a labour leader and Pro democracy activist he was a front line member of the National Democratic Coalition in Lagos State and he was also in the fore front in the struggle of the June 12 election.
On May 28th 1997 he was appointed as Commissioner by the Lagos State Executive Council and on June 5th 1997 he deployed as Commissioner for Commerce Industry and Tourism. From 1st of August 1997 to May 29th 1999 he served as Commissioner for Information Culture and Sports.
Sir Ayodele Elesho is a frontline member of Cathedral Methodist Church Ikorodu where he served as Senior Steward from 1997-2002 and a Knight of the Methodist Church Nigeria.
He his a true son of Ikorodu and have served in different capacities, especially as the Chairman of Ikorodu Development Association (IKODASS), where he worked tirelessly for the development of Ikorodu and he continue to serve Ikorodu in different capacity, working for the advancement and prosperity of this our great kingdom.
Sir Ayodele Elesho is married to Yeye Otunba Oluwatoyin Elesho and are blessed with children and grand children.
He has alsobeen honoured severally by different organizations in the church,local community and as well as state level and prominent among such honours are; the Balogun Onigbagbo of Ogijo, Are Atunlushe of Imota,the Balogun Ijo of Methodist Cathedral Church, Akogun Iseyin of Ijebu, Otunba Olutimeyin of Ibeshe land, Agba Akin of Ikorodu Kingdom.
Sir Ayodele Elesho enjoys travelling and has travelled far and wide,he loves light music,reading,socializing and leisure driving.
The event was graced by dignitaries within and outside Ikorodu. They include,. Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi,HRM.Oba(Barr.) Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Mrs Shoderu, Sir Bola Ogunsanwo,Mrs Onafowobo,Mrs Odulate,Oloye Lisa of Igbogbo kingdom,Dr.&Dr.Mrs Ajayi,Chief Aderigbe Shitta,Chief Justice of Lagos State Mr Kazeem Alogba, Baales,Otunba’s Chiefs and among others.
