Christopher Alao-Akala

Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala
Governor of Oyo State
In office
January 12, 2006 – December 12, 2006
Preceded by Rasheed Ladoja
Succeeded by Abiola Ajimobi
Governor of Oyo State
In office
May 29, 2007 – May 29, 2011
Preceded by Rasheed Ladoja
Succeeded by Abiola Ajimobi
Personal details
Born Ogbomoso, Oyo, Nigeria
Political party Labour Party

Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala (born June 3, 1950) is a Nigerian politician and the former Governor of Oyo State, Nigeria. He is a member of the Labour Party (LP). He is a former police officer.

Early Years

Born on June 3, 1950 at Ogbomoso in the Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State, young Adebayo Alao-Akala had his elementary school at Osupa Baptist Day School, Ogbomoso. From there, he proceeded to the Kamina Barracks Middle School, 5th Battalion of Infantry Tamale, Ghana.

On leaving Kamina Barracks Middle School, Adebayo Alao-Akala went to Government Technical College, Tamale, Ghana and Ogbomoso High School, Ogbomoso. Still in search of more knowledge, Otunba (Dr) Alao-Akala capped it all with further studies at Nigeria's premier high institution, the University of Ibadan.

For his efforts, Dr Alao-Akala has in his kitty the First Leaving Certificate obtained in 1962, West African School Certificate (1972), ASCON Certificate (1985), Passed Staff College (Psc) 1990, Diploma in Business Administration (1998), Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) Honoris Causa, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso (2006), Doctor of Science (Political Science) Honoris Causa, Lead City University (2008).

His Excellency, Otunba (Dr) Adebayo Alao-Akala has been privileged to attend several career development courses. He enlisted as Cadet Inspector of Police in June 1974 at the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja. Following his brilliant performance, he was recommended for overseas training at the Metropolitan Police Training School, Peel Centre, Hendon, London. He has also attended the Administrative Staff College, Topo, Badagry; the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos; Police Staff College, Jos; Command and Staff College, Jaji. Otunba Alao-Akala has participated as a Nigerian delegate at two INTERPOL Conferences in Nice, France and Malaga, Spain.

Years of Service

From the position of Station Officer in the Nigeria Police, he became Administrative Officer, Federal Operation, Federal Headquarters, Lagos and rose to the position of Operations Officer, FEDOPS, Lagos. The steady rise of Otunba Alao-Akala to fame and fortune reached its apogee when he became the Personal Assistant to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and subsequently the ADC to the Inspector-General of Police.

From there onwards, Alao-Akala held several prestigious command positions in the Police Force. He was O/C Advanced Training Wing, Police College, Ikeja; Divisional Police Officer, Bode Thomas, Lagos; Divisional Police Officer, Iponri Police Station, Lagos; Railway Divisional Police Officer, Nigeria Railways, Ebute Meta, Lagos; Area Commander, Western District, Nigeria Railway Police, Ibadan; CSP Admin. Gongola State Command, Yola; CSP Admin. Kwara State Command, Ilorin; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Agodi Area Command, Ibadan, Oyo State Police Command, Ibadan. In September 1995, Otunba (Dr) Adebayo retired from the Nigeria Police as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Logistics and Supply, Oyo State Police Command, Eleiyele, Ibadan. It was, indeed, a meritorious service to his fatherland. Besides public service, Dr. Alao-Akala became the Chairman of ACALA Nigeria Limited, Private Eye Security Consultant and General Contractor. He is also the founder and chairman of TDB Global Ventures, headquarter in Lagos, that has many branch in Ogbomoso and Parrot FM radio station in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Political Life

In the political arena, Otunba (Dr) Adebayo Alao-Akala could be rightly described as a man with the midas touch. He started his political career as a member of New Dimension, a political association of progressive young elements. He participated in the zero-party local government election of 1996 and later co-founded the UNP before its fusion with UNC to form UNCP. In the 1997 local government elections, Otunba Alao-Akala sponsored the chairmanship candidate and seven councilors to victory on the ticket of the UNCP. He participated in the Ogbomoso Federal Constituency (One) primary election of the UNCP in 1997. He contested and won the chairmanship seat of the Ogbomoso North Local Government along with seven councilors under the platform of APP in 1998. He was elected vice-chairman of ALGON, Oyo State Chapter between 1999 and 2002. A versatile and visionary political leader, Alao-Akala founded the Ogbomoso Unity Forum, a political association which later joined the PDP. He was the Executive Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government from 1999 to 2002.

A man of Destiny, Otunba (Dr) Adebayo popularly known as “Omo Iya Alaro” became the Deputy Governor of Oyo State from May 2003 to January 2006. To crown his efforts in life, the Almighty God who directs the affairs of man, took Otunba Alao-Akala to the pinnacle of his political career when he became the Executive Governor of Oyo State in January 2006, a position he occupied till May 2011.

On 8th December 2014, Otunba (Dr) Adebayo Alao-Akala defected to the Labour Party in Oyo State due to internal irregularities in his former party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP). On 10th December 2014, he formally declared his intention to re-contest the gubernatorial election of Oyo State on the platform of the Labour Party in the February 2015 general elections in Nigeria. During his declaration of intent, all other party gubernatorial aspirants stepped down for him, thereby making him emerge as the Labour party's gubernatorial flag bearer in Oyo State.

His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala is a polyglot. He speaks English, Yoruba, Hausa, (Twi, Fanti and Dagbani) and Ghanaian Languages fluently. And he is a widely traveled man.

His Works

Alao-Akala is a writer and is the author of numerous publications on policing and local government. His publications include:

Chieftaincy Titles

Alao-Akala has received multiple accolades, commendations, recognitions, awards and several honorary chieftaincy titles, among which are: Otun of the Source, Otunba of Akinmorin, Bobajiro of Owu Kingdom, Basorun Atunluto of Akure, Mayegun of Okeho, Akogun of Ilua, Aare Asoludero of Ibarapa, Agbaakin of Iseyin, Ariwajoye of Ede land, Atunluse of Ife Odan, Balogun of Igbojaye land, Aare Kebimapalu of Oyo State and Bobagunwa of Ogbomosoland.

Christopher Alao-Akala is an inspiration to the youth of Nigeria, particularly in Oyo State. His consciousness to the education of this generation has endeared many young people to him. He has personally awarded scholarships to scores of less-privileged children. He is a people person, for till date hundreds of people throng him everywhere he goes.

His hobbies include reading and traveling; he has visited all the 36 states of the country and Abuja; he has also visited over 10 countries in the world; he loves reading and meeting people. Otunba Alao-Akala is a member of many social clubs including Ikoyi Club 1938; he was President, Rotary Club of Ogbomoso 2005-2006; he is the current President, Ogbomoso Recreation Club.

He is married and has several children. [1]

References

  1. ↑ http://candidates.nigeriaelections.org/candidate/profile/candidate/594/me/alao-otunba-(dr.)-c.-adebayo-a./

External links