By Kehinde Okeowo
It was indeed the end of an era and sobering moment for the people of Oka-Akoko community in Akoko South West local government of Ondo state, as one of their illustrious sons, a true community leader, seasoned educationist and respected politician, the former Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly and the pioneer principal of St John/Mary’s Unity Secondary School, Owo, Hon. (Chief) Foluso Babadele, breathed his last on October 11, 2020.
The renowned educationist was born on March 5, 1942 in Oka Akoko and started his early education at St John Anglican Primary School Oka –Akoko in 1952. He later proceeded to St John’s Teachers College Owo, where he obtained his Grade III teachers Certificate in 1965. Thereafter, he attended the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, for his tertiary education and bagged Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1971. He went further to obtain a Master’s of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from the same institution in 1977.
Chief Foluso Babadele started his career as a teacher in his “Alma mater” St. John’s Teachers College, Owo which metamorphosed into a co-educational institution and now known as St John/Mary’s Teachers College, Owo. His commitment , zeal for excellence and share hard work at the college eventually led to his promotion and transfer to Akoko Anglican Grammar School, Arigidi Akoko as the Vice principal of the school in 1979. In 1980, he was again promoted and made the first Principal of Ugbe Comprehensive High School, Ugbe Akoko.
The Micheal Akhigbe-led military administration altered the educational structure in Ondo state when it decided to convert nine existing teachers training colleges into unity schools. It also directed the education ministry to find competent hands to manage the newly created schools. Hon. Babadele was once again penciled down as one of the competent hands that could deliver. He was contacted and saddled with the responsibility of leading St John/May’s Secondary School, Owo, one of the new schools as its pioneer principal. He graciously accepted the challenge and performed meritoriously, in fact, leaving the school as a model for others before he retired in 1991.
Thereafter, in his pursuit of good governance, he ventured into the murky waters of politics in 1999 when civilian rule was restored in the country. He joined the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and contested for a seat at the Ondo State House of assembly and won. He was later made the Majority Leader of the House upon the inauguration of the assembly, a post he held until 2003. After his active days in politics, he was again, appointed as one of the pioneer members of the Ondo State House of Assembly Service Commission.
He later returned home to engage in other social activities aimed at developing his community. Until his death, he was a chartered member of Rotary Club of Nigeria; he was also appointed the president of Oka Dynamic Club, a social club in his home town. He was not found wanting in the spiritual sphere either, as he was a pioneer member of Akoko Anglican Diocese Synod Committee and served in numerous capacities in his local church. On the economic front, he was a Director in Oka Community Bank. He was married to Chief (Mrs) Adenike Babadele, a retired matron. The union was blessed with children and grandchildren. He will be fondly remembered for his contributions to the enhancement of the careers of students he tutored and the development of his community and the state at large.
