A Life Of Leadership Excellence: Celebrating Amb. Sarafa Tunji Isola's 64th Birthday & Alumni Award
Senator Kola Bajomo, Oba Prof. Obalanlege, Others pay tributes.
By Charles Segun Adegbite
After over 35years of venturing into politics, Amb. Sarafa Tunji Isola, former Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, has proven himself as a distinguished diplomat, reputable politician, competent public officer, loyal party man, reliable community leader, a patriotic Nigerian and good mentor.
This man who was elected the chairman of his local government area in 1998 to that of Speacial Assistant to the Minister of State for Finance in 1999, was appointed the Secretary to the Ogun State Government in 2003. He also moved to the position of the Minister of Power and Steel Development in 2008.
Tributes To Amb. STI At 64
As he turned 64years old this Monday, November 25, in celebrating his life of leadership excellence and the recent Alumni Award he got from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, we interviewed a few number of notable people who know him, to hear what they have to say about him. Below is the response we got from them as Tributes:
Prof. Adeyemi Obalanlege (The Olota of Ota, Ogun State)
"Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola has contributed a lot to the development of Ogun State. Starting from when he was the Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, during which he became the Chairman of Chairmen of Local Governments in Ogun State. He later served as the Secretary to the Ogun State Government.
"Nationally as well, he has done very well. You know he was a Minister. And he even became the Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He has done so very well in politics. All I can say is that May the Almighty Allah continue to favour him, so that he can continue to be useful to our nation." He added.
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Aare Tunde Alabi (Former Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs)
" Ambassador Sarafa is a highly intelligent person. Knowledgeable, and a complete Omo Luwabi(a well behaved and cultured person with good home training). He is the one who from Egba land who became Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK after our referred Prince Bola Ajibola.
"That is to tell you that he is a highly responsible person and respectable. He is someone you can rely on. I wish him the very best. You know he is also highly religious. He is the Baba Adinni of Yoruba Land, even up to Edo and Delta States. I wish him all his heart desires. He's an Omo Luwabi per excellence. If you are looking for an Omo Luwabi, Sarafa is the one. "
Prince Lekan Tejuoso(Former Ogun State Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives)
"He is very articulate; very deep in thinking. He's very rich in native intelligence. And, he's very accommodating. He is ready to profer solutions to problem. Of course, he is someone who's an extrovert. He is ready to make friends with people and willing to show his compassion to people.
" I wish him well. I wish more glorious birthdays ahead, in good health and peace of mind." He said further.
Senator Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka(Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State and erstwhile Senator)
" He is 64? I wish him a happy birthday. And I also wish him the very best in the years ahead."
Senator Kola Bajomo (Former President of ICAN and erstwhile Senator of Nigeria).
"He is a great person. He is a patriot. He has gotten great achievements in life. He has made his mark in the community building and his relationship with the State, his home State, and Nigeria as a whole.
"It's not a mean feet to have attained the envious position of a High Commissioner, (an ambassador) to the United Kingdom. I wish him well". He said.
Mr Kehinde Onasanya(Ogun State Head of Service).
"I congratulate him on his 64th Birthday. Egbon is a highly intelligent man. He is rich in native intelligence. He is a very cultured person and a good administrator.
"You know, he doesn't play politics of bitterness. And he is very reliable. I wish him long life." He added.
An Alumni Merit Award To A Man of Honour
In recognition of his outstanding leadership and good reputation, the University of Ilorin Alumni Association gavehlnb by a special award, along with 23 other personalities, on October 21, 2024.
The National President of the association, Prof Abdulrasaq O. Kilani, while presenting the award, noted that the awardees were men with good track records, whose reputation earned them the awards. Of course, this is true about Ambassador STI.
That statement was a testament to the fact that this man of honour has embodied excellence in every aspect of his life. With a career spanning decades, he has left an indelible mark on the world of international relations, local, state and national politics, thereby inspiring generations of young diplomats, leaders, and individuals looking for good role model, to find him as one.
READ THIS: Amb. Sarafa Tunji Ishola bags UNILORIN Alumni Award today
As we celebrate Ambassador Ishola at his 64th birthday and recent alumni Merit Award, we honor not only his remarkable achievements but also the exceptional character and dedication that have defined his life's work. From the corridors of power to the hearts of those he has touched, Amb. STI's legacy is a testament to the power of leadership, vision, and service.
In this special feature, we delve into the life and politics of this extraordinary individual, exploring the experiences, values, and principles that have shaped him into a true leader and a beacon of inspiration for us all."
Now, let's take a brief literary excursion to his early life and how he got to the present position.
His Birth, Early Life & Education
Sarafa Tunji Isola was born into the family of Chief Ibrahim Isola Tairu and Hajiya Amudalat Ajiun Isola of Abeokuta.
He said, ‘My grandfather, Ibrahim Tairu, was the Otun of Egbaland between 1907 and 1913. And he (the grandfather) was a member of Egba United Government before the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorate in 1914.
"My uncle was a councilor in 1952 during Action Group Era. My maternal grandfather was a member of Kila Society (A group of notable Egba indigenes who were influential in the affairs of Egbaland), he said.
He attended the Oke-Ona United Primary School, Ilugun, Abeokuta, where he recorded academic excellence and was a member of the Drama Society.
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He then went to Nawair-ud-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko, Abeokuta, for his secondary education. Upon completion of his secondary school education, young Isola began work as a Sales Clerk at Wellcome Nigeria Limited (a pharmaceutical company).
In 1978, Isola wanted to learn more and grow, so he decided to study in the United Kingdom.
Between 1978 and 1981, he went to school at the Chartered Institute of Marketing in England. He also took the Principles of Investment Course in South West London College in 1981 and He graduated from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, England in 1981, where he obtained a Diploma in Marketing from the institution..
Ishola has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
He attended the Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, USA, where he studied and finished the Leaders in Development Course at Harvard University with flying colours in 2009.
His Working & Political Careers
Sarafa started his working career as a Lecturer in Marketing, Statistics & Economics at the Federal College of Education, Katsina in 1983.
In 1997, he was elected the Chairman of Abeokuta North LGA, at the fourth attempt, and was subsequently elected the Chairman of the Conference of Local Government Chairmen in Ogun State. He later became the Coordinator of South-west Local Government Chairmen.
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In 1999, Sarafa was appointed the Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of State for Finance.
In 2002, Ambassador Isola was invited by the USA Department of State on a study tour of the USA financial systems through the International Visitors Programme. The tour took him to the Department of State, Capitol Hill, Federal Reserve Bank - New York, New Jersey, University of Texas, Commodity Exchange - Chicago, Bank of America - Arizona, Silicon Valley/San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
In 2003, he was appointed the Secretary to Ogun State Government. This position enabled him have more understanding of the State administration and the leadership challenges.
His Life Principles
He has the following Ethos: Service, trust and integrity. His Passion are: Law and order, people's welfare, social infrastructure and economic development.
His Achievements At National Level As A Minister.
In 2007, Ambassador Isola was appointed Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
During his administration as a minister, repositioning of the mining industry, which has collapsed, began.
Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act 2007 was gazetted in November 2007. The features of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act included creating a conducive environment for the private sector.
Serving as risk management tool for the investment decision making.
National Minerals and Metals Policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council in February 2008.
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development's headquarters, named Minerals and Metal Complex was commissioned in April 2008.
Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA)
Mining Regulations was forwarded to the Ministry of Justice.
National Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG) Bill was forwarded to the Ministry of Justice in July 2008.
National Metallurgical Training Institute (NMTI) Bill was forwarded to the Ministry of Justice in July 2008.
Mineral Processing and Purchase Regulations forwarded to the Ministry of Justice in July 2008, e.t.c.
The following 7 Strategic Minerals were identified during administration as a minister: Coal, Bitumen, Limestone, Iron Ore, Barytes, Gold, Lead/Zinc.
Ambassadorial Services
In 2021, Sarafa was appointed the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom. He later became the Chairman of the Accreditation Committee of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth.
Apart from his daily activities and accomplishments in areas of bilateral and multilateral relationships with the UK and other nations and international organizations in the host country, in favour of his home country, Ambassador STI has some outstanding achievemenhh- 1w#t like the issue of passport racketeering and all related corrupt activities.
By blocking the loopholes that made passport fraud the order of the day before his taking over as Nigeria's envoy to the Great Britain, he received a lot of accolades.
Excellent Stewardship Award
The Mayor of the London Borough of Southwark, His Worshipful Clir Michael Situ, honoured Amb. Isola, as the then Nigeria's High Commissioner, with an Excellent Stewardship Award for improving the image of Nigeria and his outstanding and dedicated services to the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom.
"His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola interacted and engaged very well with the British and Nigerian communities in the United kingdom."
Speaking during an evening event organized to celebrate Nigeria's 63rd Independence anniversary on Sunday, October 1, 2023, the Mayor said, "His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola interacted and engaged very well with the British and Nigerian communities in the United kingdom."
Historical Event In His Life
As a Nigeria High Commissioner he held the honour of being the last to present his letter of Credence to the late Queen Elizabeth and the first during the reign of King Charles III, a testament to the High Commissioner’s service under two monarchs.
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A Well Travelled Man
Ambassador Ishola has represented Nigeria in bilateral and multilateral engagements in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, Malta, Czech Republic, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Senegal, Togo, South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, Rwanda, Mali, Gambia, Burkina Faso, and Cote d’ Ivoire.
Service, Trust and Integrity
For his selfless service, reliability and integrity, he was elected the Chairman of Conference of Local Government Council Chairmen in 1997/1998.
For his uncommon loyalty, dedication to duty, integrity, e.t.c, he got commendation letter from the then Minister of State for Finance, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye on 29th. May, 2003, as his Special Assistant between 1999 and 2003.
For his wealth of knowledge in public administration and political savvy, in running the Ogun State Governor's Office very well, leading to a remarkable achievements of the State Government, during the period he was the Secretary to the State Government, among other qualities, the then Governor Gbenga Daniel gave him a commendation letter on 1st. June, 2007.
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For bringing his wealth of experience and rich antecedents to bear, and contributing his invaluable service to the Fatherland as a Minister of Mines and Steel and member of the Federal Executive Council, the then President of Nigeria, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar'adua also gave him a commendation letter after his service.
Traditional & Religion Relevance
Amb. Isola's charity begins at home. In all the four sections of Abeokuta and entire Egbaland, he holds traditional chieftaincy titles that don't contradict his religion's beliefs. For instance, in his Oke Ona Egba ancestral community, he holds the title of Tayese(Reformer) of Oke-Ona Egba. In Gbagura, he is the Oluomo(Hero). In his Ilugun homestead, he is the Okanlomo(Super Star). At Erunwon {Egba Alake} he holds the title of Otun(Prime Minister). And in the entire Egbaland, he also hold the chieftaincy title of Tayese(Reformer).
He is the Otitifarati (Pillar) of Owu Kingdom. And the holder of Apesin (Icon) of Ijebu Isiwo. He is as well Sarki Yaki Hausawa, (Prominent Leader) of Hausa people) in Ogun State.
Marital & Family Life
Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola is happily married. And he is blessed with children.
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