PASEDA, James Akinola

Early Life/ Background: James Akinola was born to the family of Late Daddy Ezekiel Kajopaye Paseda (c.1886-1946) of Oreta Quarters of Adefuwa Dynasty, and Mother Late Madam Abigail Bowokale Paseda (1896-1982; nee Sonubi, nicknamed “Adahunse bi Agba”), both of Oru-Ijebu, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria on 23rd April, 1938. Both parents were Christians. His father was a Lay reader of high esteem at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Oru. His father was a farmer and a tailor while mother specialized in dyeing of clothes thus nicknamed “Iya Alaro”. Abigail’s father was Pa Sonubi nicknamed “Adahunse bi Agba” (implying a hardworking and self-reliant person) of Oke’lu and Itun-Aga Quarters, Awa of Lagbelu Royal family. Mr & Mrs Ezekiel Kajopaye Paseda had seven children together, with Akinola being the sixth. Young Akin had a Christian family upbringing. Foundation Education: Akin attended Sagun United School Oru-Ijebu from 1946-1949. In January 1950, he went with his paternal cousin, Late Mr. John Adebayo Sobanjo (c.1928- 1968) to Agoro in Ifo District where the latter taught in many schools. He completed his primary education in December 1954 and was appointed a teacher in January 1955 at Ifo District Central School, his alma-mater. Work Experience: Akinola started his professional teaching career in January 1959 after obtaining the Teachers’ Certificate Grade II on successful completion of the course at St. Luke’s College Ibadan (1955-1958). He served as a Teacher/Headmaster of St. David’s School Ibogun Sowunmi in Ifo District (1959-1960) and was a foundation teacher at Ibogun Egbeda Anglican Secondary Modern School where he taught from 1961-1962. He attended the Ransome-Kuti College of Education Ibadan (1963-1965) for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and from 1966-1967 was a teacher at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode. Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Lagos (1967-1970), where he obtained the B.A. (Hons) Education/Geography (2nd Class Upper) in June 1970. From July 1970-1972, he was at Remo Divisional High School Sagamu. As a result of the dearth of Geography teachers at the time, he was transferred to Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu-Ode in July 1972 to teach Geography in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) classes. He taught the subject with such passion and dedication that ensured near-100 percentage pass rates at the School Certificate examination. He joined the Lagos State Ministry of Education as Education Officer, and taught at Epe Grammar School from 1973-1978. In 1974, he re-entered the University of Lagos for a Master’s in Education (M.Ed) Degree and exited in June 1975. He was posted to Government Teachers College Igbogbo, Ikorodu as its first official Vice Principal in 1978. He climbed a new career ladder on 08th February 1980 when he was posted to Pobuna Grammar School Poka, Epe as Principal and was in the school till 1984. While in the school, students got laurels in academics and co-curricular endeavours. In 1983, he was adjudged the Principal of the Year for Agbowa/Eredo/Ejinrin Area of Epe, Lagos. Before the end of 1984, he was posted to Okemagba High School Mojoda which was in dire need of academic and moral regeneration, and by grace of God and his quality service with his “team players”, these ends were accomplished. He was appointed Foundation Principal of the Lagos State Model College Igbonla, Epe in February 1988; and was the Coordinating Principal for all the newly established five Model 2 Colleges (viz: Igbonla, Igbokuta, Meiran, Badore and Kankon) at inception. The Governor of Lagos State at that time, Navy Captain (later Vice Admiral) Mike Okhai Akhigbe, had designed the Model Colleges for each of the five traditional divisions of Lagos. The Colleges were located in serene rural settings to enhance teaching and learning. The Akhigbe administration combed the State Secondary School environments for the best hands to drive the novelty and the lot for Igbonla fell on J. A. Paseda who also doubled as the Co-ordinating Principal for the Colleges. From the period 1988-1992, the Colleges were given necessary foundation and focus on their mission as pacesetters in academics and co-curricular endeavours. Students at the Model College Igbonla won laurels in programmes by the Directorate of Food Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and several other competitions. For example, a student from the College won the ANCOPSS National Essay Competition in 1992. In 1998, when the Lagos State Model College Kankon, Badagry marked her 10 years of existence with the theme:“A Decade of Excellence”, in a Chapter on the “The Builders”, this was said of Akinola Paseda: “It is to the eternal credit of Mr. Paseda that he succeeded in holding the schools firmly and fairly. He brought his wealth of experience and administrative wizardry into play. His name cannot and can never be forgotten in the Model Colleges’ history. He stood like a colossus to pilot the ship to a safe harbour in the formative period of the colleges’ existence”. He was at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos as Director Post-Primary Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) in 1992 and retired in December 1993. Before the end of December 1993 on contract, he was appointed Head of Inspectorate at Ibeju-Lekki Inspectorate Office and was in that position till May 1999. Akinola Paseda was appointed Principal of Omolaja Sodipo Memorial Anglican School (OSMAS), a co-educational Egba Diocesan Secondary School, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, Ogun State in May 1999. During his tenure, the School became a full-fledged secondary school, larger in size and fame. The School’s Alumni are now making their mark in the socio-economic development of the country. On service at OSMAS where Akinola was Principal for seven years (1999-2006), at the end of the service, the Bishop/Proprietor, the Rt.Revd. Dr. M.O. Owadayo in his communication dated 25th July 2006 has this to say: “Appreciation Letter for a worthy, meritorious service: We are happy to place on record that your tenure as the administrative head has witnessed an unprecedented progress in the School. We thank God for appointing you”. Service to Church and Community: Chief Paseda was a member of the Board of Governors of the defunct Muslim Teachers Colege Oru, 1976-1979; 1984-1987. He was also a member of Police Community Relations, Epe (1985-1988), and Chairman Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Agbowa/Eredo/Ejinrin Zone (1987-1989). From 1973 till 2013, he served his home Church (St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Oru Ijebu) in various positions as Synod Delegate, Parish Counsellor, Secretary Building Committee, etc. The Committee midwifed the construction of the ultra-modern church which foundation was laid in 1980 and was dedicated in 1995. He was Chairman Harvest Committee (1997-2000). 3 He was appointed Otun Balogun Ijo of the Church in 1997, and was installed in 2004, thereby becoming a Church Chieftain. He was Chairman of “History of St. Luke’s Anglican Church Oru-Ijebu” Committee, which produced the first authentic history of the Church, launched with pomp and pageantry in May 2004. He was Secretary of Oru Youth Christian Movement (OYCM) from inception in 1959 till 2010 and became the President from 2010. The OYCM is a vibrant visionary Christian society in the Church. The association sponsored the establishment of the All Saints’ Anglican Church (ASAC), Oru. He was a member of the Youth Christian Association of St. Michael’s Anglican Church Epe and its Vice President till 2013. At his leisure, Akinola Paseda was an educational consultant. For reference to mark the first quinquennium of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun Ijebu-Ode, he was one of the contributors to the book, “Contemporary School Administration in Nigeria” (2009), edited by the then Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Oyesiku et al. No doubt, Chief J.A. Paseda was a diligent and generous teacher who for more than five decades devoted his time and energy to honest work in his chosen field. He was an eminent figure in his field and a precious community asset. He was a beloved mentor to many of his colleagues and students, some of whom are today distinguished personalities in their own rights. He had a track record of worthy service to the Church, Community and Country. Personal Life: He was happily married to Mrs Agnes Olabisi Paseda, a retired Principal in Lagos Ministry of Education, and blessed with successful children and grandchildren. He was father to many biological and non-biological children. His biological children include Mr Adedayo O. Paseda (a Chemical Engineer, former Executive Director at Premier Paints Plc and now Deputy Managing Director of Chemstar Paints), Mr Olumide Paseda (an Industrial Chemist), Mrs Favour Bolanle Olumuyiwa Odubena (civil servant), Ms Funmilola Paseda (Banker and Retail Banking Head at FCMB), Mr Oluseyi Paseda (a US-Based Consultant), Mr Oluseun Paseda (Banker and ACCA-qualified accountant) and Mrs Yetunde Olubunmi Matiluko (a teacher at Lagos Ministry of Education).