- Prince Olusola is known for due process, uprightness and fairness.
- He recognized the irreplaceable place of education as a factor.
- He equally served his beloved country diligently as a committed public servant.
Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has described former Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Prince Olusola Akanmode as a “unique son of the soil”. In a statement personally signed by the revered Monarch to commemorate Akanmode’s 70th birthday, the Ooni of Ife stated that the Kogi Prince served Nigeria diligently as a committed public servant.
“On behalf of the people of the kingdom of Ife and descendants of Oduduwa worldwide, I write with great delight to celebrate a unique son of the soil; Prince Olusola Akanmode, as he clocks 70 years on earth. “It will motivate our youths across the world to know and equally note that Prince Olusola who is known for due process, uprightness and fairness built the current future which he is enjoying to the groly of God with the hard work and persistence he put in place as a young man.
“Early enough, he recognized the irreplaceable place of education as a factor towards- having a successful career while he equally served his beloved country diligently as a committed public servant,” he said. Also, a former Military Governor of Kwara State, General Alwali Jauji Kazir (rtd) recalled with nostalgia the cordial working relationship he shared with Prince Akanmode when he was Governor.
In a personally message, General Alwali noted it was an uphill task and a huge challenge to allow Prince Akanmode leave Kwara for the newly created Kogi State. “As the Director General of Government House, Sola, you were a vibrant young officer in your forties, with a razor sharp mind who brought to bear on the job the knowledge and experience of a much, much older person.
“You were a highly articulate, committed, dutiful and enterprising staff. These attributes would endear you to so many of your colleagues and fellow staff officers in the governor’s office and indeed the entire State Government at that time. “But perhaps most importantly, was the Chief Executive who appreciated you most, so much that when the time came to let the indigenes of the newly created Kogi State leave Kwara for their new state, it was an uphill task and a huge challenge to allow you among others to leave.
This was, despite the fact that you were equally being sought after by the new state. “Releasing you was difficult for the fact that your brief stay at the Ministry of Commerce where you were strategically posted to, saw a new lease of life, as you raised its status to an enviable state, thus making the State expectedly attractive to investors. The objective of sending you to the Ministry was to furthermore give you an opportunity to put forth your entrepreneurial knowledge and experience, for your benefit as well as for the State; a prudent action for you and the State in particular.
“Sola, as my DG Government House, your contributions to the efficient running of the State were unparalleled as you were easily the closest person to the Chief Executive. A relationship that afforded you the rare opportunity to articulate your verbal as well as written thoughts which immensely contributed to the success of the Governor; an enviable performance that would earn him the appellation of “Action Governor.”
“You also exhibited such exemplary qualities as a high sense of integrity, honesty, highly eloquent and far-sighted officer who was above all a very good adviser. A very perceptive individual who had a rare gift of an intuitive mind that easily discerns and portrays the thoughts and understanding of his principal clearly. “But beyond this, your multi linguistic background added to the attributes and rare capabilities already mentioned. I dare say, Sola is an asset to any individual, group or organisation at any time.”
Immediate past Kogi State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Hassan Salau also joined President Muhammadu Buhari, Ooni of Ife and other well wishers to celebrate Prince Olusola Akanmode on his 70th birthday. Salau described Akanmode as the ‘Awolowo of our time’. “Since his years in Kwara state Government House, Prince Olusola Akanmode has always been our rallying point. In Kogi state, he stands out as a colossus that we can’t come by today and in future. “All I will say now and always is that he is the Awolowo of our time.”