Tajudeen Owoyemi: A Philanthropist Confers As Asiwaju Of Offa

… as Chief Okeke eulogizes him

By: Okosun Dennis

When friends, acquaintances, business partners roll out drums to celebrate an individual for his invaluable contributions to human development and job creation, it’s only honourable to doff off hat and troop out in large numbers to accord him the best of respect .

That is what played out when friends of the indefatigable business tycoon, a philanthropist, an engineer was conferred as Asiwaju of Offa by His Royal Highness, Oba Mufutau Muhammed Gbadamosi Okikiola Oloyede, Ajagungbade 1, Esuwoye II.

With this title, he becomes the third person to hold this preeminent position after his immediate predecessor, the late Chief Emmanuel Adesoye, who held the position until January 2020 and the late Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin who was the very first to hold the position.

While thanking God for his life, in his congratulatory message to a friend to whom he is well pleased, Chief Ndubuisi Okeke described
Asiwaju of Offa, Alhaji Owoyemi as an outstanding personage who has touched humanity in different dimensions. As a business guru and a philanthropist. You cannot meet him without finding positive solution to your problems. He gives free education and I know he will do greater more things at various levels.

“When I was at the Port, I was always getting contracts from him that enabled me to put food on my table,” Chief Okeke emphasized.

Referring to him as an impeccable, dependable business man who has helped him in different ways, Chief Okeke noted that, “He has been very helpful business-wise and I cannot forget him when the history of my life is written. He is an unforgettable person in my life because he has contributed a lot towards my success.

Born in Kwara on April 16, 1956, in Offa, to a petty trader, Tajudeen Owoyemi has made it through in both construction, and hospitality enterprises and has raised the bar as one of the wealthiest luxury hotel owners in Nigeria.

With his early life in the city of Ilorin, his parents were said to have relocated to Ghana when he was two years and was left him with his grandmother.

At the age of 22 in 1978, he carved a niche that transformed him into a world player in an industry many think was not for all comers, established his first company: Tajudeen Owoyemi and Co Limited (TOCL), an Engineering Company that engaged in Civil and Mechanical Engineering contracts.

Criss-crossing the journey of life especially coming from a background dosed with so much lack; becoming triumphant and successful in business venture, became possible through dexterity, hardwork and dedication.

For Tajudeen Owoyemi, becoming a successful entrepreneur in luxury hotels – the Chairman, Avalon Intercontinental Nigeria Limited, the owners of Avalon Hotel, Offa, Radisson Blu, Ikeja and Park Inn, Victoria Island, Lagos – having traversed the length and breath for over four decades and half speaks volume in the construction industry.

Hence Chief Okeke referred to him as a workaholic who doesn’t accept excuses from his workers for an answer but wants result.

“To those working for him, my advise is hard work. He is a workaholic. He never takes an excuse as an answer but what he wants is result. He hates complain and I urged them to dedicate themselves to service,” he reiterated

However, for a man that has seen it all conquering all the conquerable in the industry, the icing of the cake was the establishment of Avalon Intercontinental Nigeria Limited which has continuously been the turning point in the life of a philanthropist with quintessential innovative ingenuity.

For a man that was trained as a plumber and brought up by a disciplinarian parentage, while in Kaduna, he obtained a National Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Kaduna Polytechnic in Civil Engineering on part-time basis.

With his unwavering dedication to his career, Tajudeen came out from relative obscurity into becoming a giant star and an indefatigable player in hospitality industry.

As a business mogul, he had excellent collaboration with others in solid mineral, maritime business, banking, hospitality and property among others business enterprises.

While citing his businesses, his hometown of Offa had a bold recognition with Avalon Hotel registering its presences.

With massive investment in the hospitality industry, he started Protea in 2001 and was commissioned in October 2003 on partnership basis.

Being a philanthropist, humanist, his generous feat has earned him several honours and awards. Other titles included an honorary chieftaincy title of Bashorun of Offa by his Royal Majesty, Oba Mustapha Olawore Olanipekun Ariwajoye II, the late Olofa of Offa in 2005.

However, Alhaji Owoyemi met his wife, Alhaja Rianat Bola Owoyemi, in Kaduna and got married to her in 1980 and they have six children.

And his gathering principle remains, “Don’t be too ambitious. Concentrate on what your strength is and don’t follow the bandwagons. Don’t invest in a business that you don’t understand,” he reiterated.

“My advise to him is keep the good work he has been doing and God will always be with him. My prayer for him is good health, strong mind and good body.