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CHIEF (HON.) KAYODE IWAKUN

A few good men could still be counted upon to tell the truth as it really is in an age when truth as long taken its leave in the treacherous waters of Nigerians politics. One of those few good men was a foremost family man, a loving father, grand father, educator, administrator, farmer, politician, and a fearless campaigner for equality, equity, and fair play, High Chief (Hon) Kayode Iwakun.

High Chief (Hon.) Kayode Iwakun was born to the family of Mr. Gabriel Oluwatobi and Madam Tolusugwa Victoria Iwakun of Ojokodo Quarters, Ode Aye, Ondo State in September 1939. Young Kayode was about six months old when he lost his father. His mother therefore relocated back to her base at Ode Idepe, Okitipupa, where she singlehandedly brought him up. His mother, though not educated, appreciated that education is a means to gain knowledge and knowledge itself is power. She was determined to give Kayode the best education possible since he was the only surviving child of his father.

“From grass grace, from zero to hero” in essence defines the life of Kayode Iwakun who started his elementary primary school education at St. James Primary School, Okitipupa, in 1948 and later Methodist Primary School, Okitipupa from 1949-1956. The trend in time and the process of child development impacted on him during those school years as an able pupil and in retrospection, the curriculum was not probably challenging enough for him. For this reason, his attendance at school at a point was somehow erratic, developing into contract between him and his mother.

Despite this, He finished his standard six in less than five years having been given double promotion because of his astonishing performance.

High Chief Kayode Iwakun proceeded to the Divisional Teacher's Training College, Ode Aye, between 1958-1964 for his grade III. He attended the highly esteemed St. Andrews College, Oyo, form 1962-1964 and was the prefect Crowther house as well as the editor of the ANDRIAN, the Magazine of St. Andrews College, Oyo, in 1964.

A rare and extraordinary profile popularly known as J.K (John Kayode) Iwakun sat for his London GCE 0' and A' Levels examination at home and passed with distinction. He would fondly be remembered for his erudite ability and for his football skills. He taught at various schools; primary, secondary and Teacher Training College including modern school, Igbotako up to 1970.

High chief Hon. Kayode Iwakun got admission into the most prestigious University of Ibadan in 1966 where he bagged the Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English and Theatre Arts BA (Hons) as the best graduating student. Since his thirst for education was not limited to undergraduate degree, John Kayode Iwakun immediately added two Master's degree. First in Education administration and management M.Ed, second in Public Administration M.Sc at University of Lagos (UNILAG).

High chief (Hon.) Kayode Iwakun from the University was determined to divulge his knowledge to others. Therefore, after graduation, he continued his career as a classroom teacher at Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, Iju Odo. His scholastic contribution to the school cannot be over-emphasized. He founded and became the first editor of the “VOICE” the magazine of the literary and debating society of Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, Iju Odo. Record has it that he was exceedingly brilliant that he was the only person who could take over the teaching of English Language and Literature from the late Pa. E O Agagu at Manuwa.

Thereafter, he left for Lagos where he worked in several Colleges among which is Nigeria Premier College Yaba, (now Jobowu High School) Lagos between 1971-1974. As the Principal, Nigeria Premier College, Lagos, his school was never failing hope of all students from Okitipupa Division and Ondo State at large to get admission into a Secondary School in Lagos State. Also as the only Ikale who was a principal, he employed a considerable number of persons from Okitipupa Division in particular and Ondo state in general into both teaching and non-teaching positions.

Chief Iwakun was the University of Lagos’s (UNILAG) Deputy Registrar, planning between 1975-1977 and faculty officer, faculty of Social Sciences University of Lagos, from 1977-1978. A rare accomplishment he achieved at a relatively young age. At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), he was responsible for the admission into the University of several people from Okitipupa Division and Ondo State in general. Many of them are now well established today.

High Chief (Hon.) Kayode Iwakun’s interest in politics started while he was at the University of Ibadan. Serving as the editor of the “HORIZON” the official magazine of the Department of English, he was elected as the first member, for Independence Hall in the students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan, 1968. He was elected the Secretary General of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS). He contested for President of NANS and thereafter served as the Chairman of the International Committee of NANS. He also served as the National Secretary, Nigeria voluntary Service Association (NVSA) responsible for organizing work camps in Nigeria. It was this Unionism activity that took him to the United States of America, Canada (1967) and Western Germany (1969) for leadership training as students’ representative.

High Chief (Hon) Kayode Iwakun was a foundation member of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and eventually became the Assistant General Secretary for Ondo State Chapter of the party. He was twice elected into the Ondo State House of Assembly on the platform of the UPN in 1979 and 1983 and he constructively contributed into the debate in the House. As a resolute parliamentarian he worked within the government to ensure his constituents were appointed into both political and civil service positions. He worked assiduously to make his people feel his impact as their representative.

Daniken High School and Comprehensive High School Ode-Aye started during his first term in office. He opened the Comprehensive health Centre at Ode-Aye and a resident doctor was posted there for the first time. He was responsible for the construction of the Akeun Bridge, construction of concrete steps down the Erifa opposite Unity Secondary School, Ode-Aye. He sponsored the building of block of wards and offices and the provision of block fence aimed at converting the old Aye dispensary into a Cottage hospital including the construction of numerous culverts and drainage lines in many streets. The tarring of roads among which is the road leading to Irokin along Igbotako and the one leading to Lumeko waters at Ode Aye was part his achievements. He assisted several Ikale, Ilaje and Apoi Indigenes to get admission into sundry institutions, OSCARS Ikare, School of Nursing, School of Health and Universities.

He was the first to sensitize the UPN government to the desirability of establishing a State University in Ondo state. He organized a seminar in Ondo Town to which eminent Scholars were invited to brainstorm on the general features of the University the people wanted and came out with a recommendation that Ondo State University should be both multi-Campus and non-residential where a campus of Environmental Science and Technology was approved for Okitipupa. Today, several Ikale, Apoi, Ilaje and other Ondo state sons and daughters have passed through Ondo State University (now Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) Akungba Akoko).

In 1983, Honarable Iwakun was appointed as the Special Adviser on political and parliamentary affairs to Ondo State Government by Governor Adekunle Ajasin. After that Republic was truncated in 1984, he became the secretary to six former progressive governors of Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Bendel and Kano cum National Coordinator for the Progressives between 1986-1989. Chief Kayode Iwakun was the personal Assistant to Chief M. A. Ajasin up till when the ban on politics was lifted again. He became the head of Secretariat and National Publicity Secretary to the defunct People’s Solidarity Party (PSP) from 1988-1989