By Peter Dansu All roads will lead to Ado Ekiti tomorrow as the historic town prepares to welcome one of its illustrious sons, Chief Tajud...
By Peter Dansu
Lagos GAC Chairman, Chief Tajudeen Olusi to Be Honoured with Chieftaincy Title in Ado Ekiti
At 88, Chief Olusi—Chairman of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC)—will be formally installed as the Atobatele of Ado Ekiti, a chieftaincy title that not only celebrates his age and achievements but also reaffirms his deep-rooted connection to his maternal homeland.
A man of royal blood from both Lagos and Ado Ekiti, Chief Olusi is no stranger to the corridors of nobility. Born into royalty in Lagos and tracing his maternal lineage to Ado Ekiti, he has long embodied the Yoruba adage, "A kìí l’àpá bàbá ká má ní ti ìyá”—one does not embrace the father’s heritage and forsake the mother’s.
Though his public service and political life have played out largely in Lagos, where he has been a cornerstone of leadership and strategy for decades, Chief Olusi has never drifted from his Ekiti roots. His visits to Ado Ekiti, his engagement with the community, and his quiet but steady support over the years have kept him closely tied to the land of his mother.
Tomorrow’s ceremony, presided over by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, is not just another chieftaincy installation. It is a symbolic welcome home—a recognition of a life spent honouring heritage, uniting communities, and serving Nigeria with quiet dignity and unwavering purpose.
Chief Olusi’s journey in public life began in 1962 as a councillor in the Lagos Town Council. From there, he rose steadily—serving as a member of the House of Representatives from 1979 to 1983, Commissioner for Commerce in Lagos State between 1993 and 1996, and now, as the influential chairman of the GAC, the apex advisory body to the Lagos State Government.
His political legacy is well documented. He has mentored generations, fostered stability in times of uncertainty, and played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of leaders including the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Despite wielding immense influence, Chief Olusi is widely respected for his humility, wisdom, and ability to build bridges across divides.
Yet, through all his accomplishments, he has remained grounded. Those who know him speak of a man who carries his royal status with grace, who listens more than he speaks, and who leads not with force but with the power of persuasion and example.
By conferring the title of Atobatele upon him, the people of Ado Ekiti are not just honouring a prince—they are celebrating a legacy. A legacy of dual heritage embraced with pride. A legacy of service rendered without fanfare. And a legacy of values passed from one generation to the next.
As Ado Ekiti prepares to robe one of its finest sons in the colours of tradition, tomorrow’s ceremony is expected to draw dignitaries from across Nigeria, marking a moment of pride not just for the Olusi family, but for all who value culture, character, and continuity.
Congratulations, Chief Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi. Your roots have called, and you have answered with grace.
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