Newton Anthony
THE Chairman Association of Traditional Baales in Yoruba Land who also doubles as the Baale of Ekotedo, Elder (Dr.) Taiye Ayorinde has conferred the chieftaincy title of Ekerin Balogun on Chief Taofiki Dada Olaniyan, FIIM.
The event, which took place on Saturday 15th of April at Baale’s palace in Ekotedo, Ibadan, attracted a huge number of residents of the community as well as chiefs and political party bigwigs.
Some residents opined that Chief Toafiki Dada was deserving of the title having proven himself worthy through his relentless efforts in service to the good people of the community.
In his speech, Elder Ayorinde pointed out that “The decision to confer the title on Chief Dada was reached after a rigorous exploration into his personality and activities.”
According to him, Chief Dada was found worthy but also a thoroughbred Yoruba son who is culturally inclined to wear the toga of the Yoruba royalty and traditionally oriented to promote the chieftaincy institution of Ekotedo community and Yoruba land at large
In his remarks, Pastor Olaniyan Oladapo Saheed thanked the Almighty God and Baale of Ekotedo for honouring Chief Dada. Speaking with our correspondent, the clergyman noted that the honour was not only for Chief Dada but the entire family of Olaniyan. He prayed for God’s protection over the Ekotedo community and its leadership.
In her statement, Yeye Ashiwaju Balogun Baale of Ekotedo, Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Tope Oyekemi, who was represented by Mrs. Akinbode Oyeyinka said “Chief Taofiki Dada Olaniyan is able, committed and indefatigable in every assignment committed unto him, therefore, that a chieftaincy title was conferred on him is not a surprise. ” She prayed for God’s support in all his future endeavours.
Chief Taofiki Dada Olaniyan Citation
Son of a former Police officer, Late Mr. Bashir Ayoola Olaniyan, Chief Taofiki Dada Olaniyan was born into the Olanrewaju Olaniyan family from Jalaga Compound, Baako Village, Ibadan.
He attended Aladura Mission School, Oke Bola, Ibadan; Araromi Baptist Primary School, Obalende, Lagos Island. He then proceeded to Akande Dahunsi Memorial High School, Osborne Road, Ikoyi where he obtained his secondary school certificate.
His zeal to improve himself academically led him to attend the prestigious Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, for Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies; Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Marketing; Universal College of Technology, Ile-Ife for Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Business Administration.
While in Lagos, Chief Taofeek Dada Olaniyan completed the compulsory youths service and also worked as an officer in the Administration/Stationary Department at African International Bank Limited (AIB) Plaza, AIB Terrace, Off Akinadesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria from 1991-2002.
He furthered his education in the United Kingdom at the London Metropolitan University for his Master of Art programme in Human Resources.
He also obtained an Advanced Diploma in Mental and Management at the Trans-Atlantic College, UK; Certificate Council Tax & Housing & Welfare Management in the UK; Advance Practice Certificate in Housing & Welfare Management in the UK; Computer Studies (City & Guilds 4242 & 7261) at South Chelsea College UK; Diploma Legal Secretarial Studies at A.L Ventures Training Academy, UK.
Chief Taofiki Dada Olaniyan is also a Fellow of the Institute of Information Management (IIM) Africa.
He works in the health sector for Central and North West London; NHS Foundation Trust Integrated Early Years Service (Camden Health Visiting).
A member and an assistant Branch Secretary and Welfare Officer of the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL Unison Branch) UK from 2015 to present.
Chief Taofiki Dada Olaniyan also works with young people at St Christopher’s Fellowship, a role he has performed since 2020.
Previously, he was a children’s champion as well as working with children with learning disabilities; at Westminster PCT NHS as a Data Quality Analyst at Central London Community Healthcare as a Child Health Administration Officer; Look Ahead Care and Support as a Night Support Worker, The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust as an Administration Officer; St. Mary Hospital as a Medical Records Officer; St. Charles Hospital in Podiatry Department; Sector Guard as a Youth Residential Worker for children services.
Chief Taofiki Dada Olaniyan is happily married to Mrs. Tope Oyekemi Olaniyan and the marriage is blessed with children.
Eighteen-Eleven Media