Biography of Ex-governor Bamidele Olumilua

On Friday, August 28, the body of the late former governor of Old Ondo State, Bamidele Olumilua, was laid to rest in his country home, Ikere Ekiti.

Olumilua, who passed away on June 4, 2020 at an advanced age of 80 years.

In an interdenominational burial procession held on Friday in Ikere Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi described the late ex-Ondo State Governor, Evang. Bamidele Olumilua as a leader who valued self-respect, saying he was never a contract-seeking individual in the quest for material acquisition.

In an attendance paid last respect  to the late former governor includes; Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, Former governors; Ayodele Fayose, Olusegun Oni, Olusegun Mimiko, Deputy governor of Ekiti, Bisi Egbeyemi, House of Assembly Speakers in Ekiti and Ondo States; National Assembly members and others.

It is common remark that one would not know the depth of a great person’s contributions to society until he or she exits the world. Death they say is the most fearful thing on earth. No matter how long we live, our time here remains transient.

The death of H.E (Evang.) Bamidele Isola Olumilua, on June 4, 2020 is a monumental loss to Ikere kingdom even though he died at an advanced age of 80 years.

He joins three other prominent Ikere icons who recently transited to the world beyond: Chief Dayo Okondo, Chief Funso Ogidiolu and Chief Julius Adekogba.

In the space of four months, Ikere kingdom has lost some of the most invaluable elders and statesmen.

H.E (Evang.) Bamidele Isola Olumilua was born on 13th April, 1940, in Ikere, Ekiti State.

NEWS: Fayemi, Fayose, Oni pay last respect to Ex-governor Olumilua as body is laid to rest in country home

Evang. Bamidele Olumilua obtained his First Degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan in 1965; he did a Postgraduate Diploma in French Language in 1968, and obtained a Master’s Degree in Development Economics, from William College Massachusetts, U.S.A in 1970.

He obtained LL.B (Inter) from University of London as an external candidate in 1971, and also went for Graduate Studies in Finance at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Evang. Olumilua joined the Federal Ministry of External Affairs in 1965, where he rose through the ranks from External Affairs Officer to the position of Senior Counsellor (Political) and served in Nigeria Embassies in Addis-Ababa (Ethiopia), Hague (Netherlands), Ottawa (Canada) and New York (U.S.A.).

His love for his people was the singular motivation for his seeking to be Governor of old Ondo State in 1991 under the platform of the Social Democratic Party SDP.

He became the first Ekiti indigene to be elected as an Executive Governor of a State when he was elected as the Executive Governor of old Ondo State (comprising the present Ondo and Ekiti States) between 1992 and 1993.

He was the National Chairman of Christian Pilgrims Committee from 2000-2003, under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Administration.

He was a Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti during Gov Fayemi first term.

His Excellency, Evang. Bamidele Olumilua contributed positively towards the development of Ikere kingdom. Some of his numerous contributions include among others:

1. During his tenure as a Governor in the old Ondo State, he established the Industrial Estate in Ikere, the first of its kind in Ekiti State.

2. He established Ben Hope Ventures in Ikere. The company was dealing with the buying and exporting of cash crops like Cocoa and Cashew between 1985 and 1991.

3.  Because of his love for his community, he established a five-star hotel, The Great Expectation Hotel and Resort in Ikere and also establishment of Alice and Samuel’s Event Centre, 2014.

4.  God had always used him to bring peace at critical situations in Ikere. The Commodore Bamidele Otiko regime women protest during the reign of HRM Oba Samuel Adegboye and the case of College of Education removal protest during Engr. Segun Oni’s Administration.

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