Michael Adekunle Ajasin
Michael Adekunle Ajasin | |
|---|---|
 Bust of Ajasin at Adekunle Ajasin University | |
| Governor of Ondo State | |
| In office 1 October 1979 – 31 December 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Sunday Tuoyo |
| Succeeded by | Michael Bamidele Otiko |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 November 1908 Owo, Nigeria |
| Died | 3 October 1997 (aged 88) |
| Political party | Unity Party of Nigeria |
| Occupation | Politician |
Michael Adekunle Ajasin (28 November 1908 – 3 October 1997) was a Nigerian politician. He was the Governor of Ondo State from 1979 to 1983.[1]
Early life and education
Ajasin was born in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria on 28 November 1908. He went to St. Andrews College in Oyo from 1924 to 1927. He worked as a teacher for some time.
In 1943, he went to Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone. He finished his degree in English, History, and Economics in June 1946. After that, he went to the University of London, where he got a teaching diploma in June 1947.[2]
Career as a teacher
In September 1947, Ajasin became head of Imade College in Owo. He sent teachers to University College, Ibadan to get more training.
In 1951, he wrote a paper on education that later became the education plan of the Action Group party. The paper called for free education at all levels.
In January 1963, he started Owo High School and ran it until he retired in August 1975.
Personal life
Ajasin married Babafunke Tenabe, a teacher, on 12 January 1939. They had four children, two boys and two girls.[3]
Political career
Ajasin took part in Nigerian politics before the country became independent. In the 1950s, he held a senior role in the Action Group party. He was also elected to the Federal House of Representatives in Lagos. He served as a member of that body from 1954 to 1966, when the military took over the government.
In 1976, he was chairman of Owo local government. He then joined the Unity Party of Nigeria when the military began moving toward democratic rule.
In 1979, Ajasin was elected Governor of Ondo State. His deputy was Akin Omoboriowo. The two men later disagreed, and Omoboriowo joined a different party, the National Party of Nigeria. In 1983, Omoboriowo ran against Ajasin for governor and was first announced as the winner. That result was later cancelled and Ajasin was sworn in for a second term.
Ajasin remained governor until the military took power again on 31 December 1983 under General Muhammadu Buhari.[4]
As governor, Ajasin signed the law that created Ondo State University in Ado-Ekiti in 1982. He also opened The Polytechnic, Owo.
A university was later named after him. In 2000, Adekunle Ajasin University was created in Akungba Akoko in his honour.[5]
NADECO
Ajasin was one of the leaders of the National Democratic Coalition, known as NADECO. The group was formed to end the military rule of Sani Abacha and to honour the election result that had been won by MKO Abiola.[6]
In 1995, the military government arrested Ajasin along with 39 other people for holding a political meeting.[7]
Death
Ajasin died on 3 October 1997.
References
- ↑ "Nigeria States". WorldStatesmen. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
- ↑ "Michael Adekunle Ajasin: A colossus and role model". The Nation. 26 November 2009.
- ↑ Joy Chinwokwu (6 April 2004). "Ajasin's jewel turns 90". The Sun.
- ↑ "Why I fell out with Awo". Daily Sun. 2 September 2007.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "Akingbola is pro-chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University". Daily Trust. 27 July 2009.
- ↑ Pallister, David. The Guardian (London), 27 May 1994.
- ↑ "Nigeria Frees Politician". The New York Times. 3 June 1995.