At 45, Prince Kehinde Gbadewole Adeboye Olugbenle was recently elected the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewa land, Ogun State. Regarded by admirers as quiet, suave and brilliant, Prince is a stickler for professionalism and has passion to see the younger ones rise in their career. Ahead of his coronation today, he spoke with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS on his new position, vision for his hometown (Yewa), Ogun state and NigeriaIN the ancient town of Ilaro in Yewa land, Ogun State, Kehinde Gbadewole Adeboye Olugbenleis known as a quiet and humble young princewho has carved a niche for himself both in academics and profession as a colossus.And on February 20, 2012, when the Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun through his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo, announced him as the new Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland,not a few people in the state realised it was the beginning of a new dawn in Yewaland. Yet, after a chat with Prince, it became exceedingly convincing that he is indeed a leader with vision for the progress of Yewa land, Ogun State and Nigeria.Born on December 4, 1966, the 45-year-old Prince is the son ofthe Late Prince Adejumo Abiola Olugbenle of the Asade Agunloye ruling house of Ilaro in Yewa South Local Council of Ogun State. His Mother, Mrs. Adenike Celina Olugbenle hails from Abidagba, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.His educational career started at Methodist Primary School, Oshodi-Lagos in 1972. His father's love for his hometown and his desire to ensure that his two sons, Taiwo and Kehinde, have appreciable knowledge about their hometown prompted him to enroll them at the Anglican Grammar School, Ilaro, as part of the school's pioneer students in 1979.In 1980 Prince, with his twin brother Taiwo, switched to Eko Boys High School in Mushin, Lagos due to pressure from family and friends who insisted that their father should not leave the two of them alone at Ilaro. During the Governor Lateef Jakande educational reform programme in 1981, Prince again moved to complete his secondary education at New State High School, Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos while Taiwo had to complete his secondary education at Eko Boys High School.According to Prince, 'attending three secondary schools within five years was a blessing in disguise as it enabled me to have friends across the schools.'In 1985, he got admission into the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, to study Estate Management and graduated in1990 as one of the best students of his set. H'I also havea Masters degree in Housing Development and Management from the University of Ibadan in 2006 while my twin brother also got his M.Sc from the same University in Managerial Psychology,' he revealed.Prince did the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the property division of United Bank for Africa Plc between 1990 and 1991. On completion, he joined P.K. Ojo & Co. (Estate Surveyors and Valuers) as an Estate Surveyor. In 1994, he proceeded to one of the foremost estate firms in the country, Akin Olawore & Co and rose through ranks to become the firm's Managing Partner in 1998.As a young man who dares to conquer new grounds, he moved to Abuja in 1998 to set up a branch of Akin Olawore & Co. Many young Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Abuja today have been privileged to pass through his tutelage and supervision. He is one of the most respected Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Abuja because of his intelligent and quiet disposition to issues. His brilliant ideas as well as wise counsel on matters brought to him are his trademarks.'Through dint of hard work, I have been privileged to handle a lot of briefs for high profile private companies, foreign embassies, banks, government parastatals and the Federal government of Nigeria,' he said.He was also the first Managing Surveyor in charge of the Ogun State House in Central Business District, Abuja, from 2000 to 2005.Princeis a member of many professional bodies in his field such as Fellow Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (FNIVS); Registered Estate Surveyor and Valuer (RSV); Associate Member Nigeria Institute of Management; Member African Real Estate Society and Member International Facilities Management Association Nigeria Chapter.'Among the positions I have held in different places are Director and Lecturer, Realtor Institute; Managing Director, Gbemotake Limited; Treasurer, Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Abuja Branch between 2002 and 2006; Chairman Education Committee, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Abuja,' he noted.The widely travelled Prince has visited overseas for several seminars. Early this year, he was among the Nigerian delegates to the World Builders Show in Florida, United States of America.His career pursuit has not prevented him from being close to his God. Since 1994, hehas been a devoted Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. He was ordained an Assistant Pastor (AP) in August 2011.He is married to Princess Omotayo Olugbenle andblessed with three children.The paramount ruler wants Yewa land to take its rightful position as pacesetters in all ramifications of development in the country. 'Moving and re-positioning Yewa land from its present state of under development through creation of industrial layouts to attract industrial development and investment to the area is my priority,' he noted.He assured that the geographical advantage of Yewa land must be utilised under his reign. He is ready to work tirelessly to ensure that through annual celebration of Yewa-Ayewa Day, the sons and daughters of Yewa land both home and abroad would return home to be identified with their development each year.According to him, the unity, peace and harmony of his people are non-negotiable'This is a new dawn of love and peace. Yewa is a land spiritually revived and cleansed of all forces of darkness militating against its peace and progress,' he quipped.Prince's passion lies in helping the less privileged around him, while he is always happy seeing the younger ones realise their dreams, noting that 'an ambition is man's way into his destiny while vision is God's path into his destiny for man. Man's ambition can never lead him to God's destination no matter the caliber of people around him. It will only lead to his destruction.'Prince said he is committed to seeing his vision for his people realised if given the opportunity to serve them at any level 'but definitely not through struggling for position.''Promotion comes neither from the North or South but from God Almighty, as the step of the righteous are ordered only by God and not man,' he affirmed. 'I am very satisfied and contented with my status which has been through the help of God Almighty but I believe that my greatness is yet to come as greater success lies ahead of me.'A sports lover, Prince also likes travelling, reading, meeting and mixing with intelligent people.
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