Guardian

HE was born on January 1, 1933 and named Abiodun. He was given the Christian name, Rufus. Later, his friends, family and associates shortened this to R. A. His parents were Pa Taiwo Oseni Obaleke and Madam Ibironke Obaleke of Oyekan Compound in Awe, Afijio Local Council of Oyo State

R. A. attended First Baptist Day School, Awe. At the end of his first year in school, he did not make the promotion examination. However, he was undaunted; rather, this propelled him to forge ahead. In 1940, he topped the class of 35 students and from 1941 to 1945, he took the first three positions in his classes. Failure became his driver for success.

In 1948, he was admitted into Baptist Boys’ High School, Olivet Heights now Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo.   In 1951, five students including R. A. were recommended for the South American Baptist Convention for labour scholarship  and in January 1953, the names of five students including RA’s were published in the Daily Times newspaper, as they had been awarded scholarship by the Western Regional Scholarship Board under the leadership of the late  Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

R.A. completed his class six secondary education in December 1954 with excellent results.

In 1959, he passed the University of London General Certificate of Education at the Advanced level. He was actually exempted by the University of London from inter B.Sc Economics the same year. The London University approved that he should proceed to inter LLB degree. He, however, could not proceed to the United Kingdom because he could not obtain a passport.

In 1967, he was sent on an in-service training course by Western Nigeria government to Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario. He obtained Diploma in Public Administration with distinction in Economics and credit in Political Science and Public Administration.  He also obtained Certificate in General Management in the course which he attended at Administrative Staff College (ASCON) in 1979 and later joined the service of the Western Nigeria as a third class clerk.

He was promoted as Higher Executive Officer in 1974.  He was appointed aDirector General in 1992   and served in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources,   and Council Secretariat and Cabinet Protocol& Security Office. He retired in January 1994.

He is a devout Christian. who has served in various capacities in the church.  He was Secretary to Union Baptist Church; Ekotedo Ibadan.  He was instrumental to the establishment of Union Baptist Church Nursery/ Primary School in 1987. He was Chairman, Union Baptist Church, Nursery and Primary School Management Board  and the President Y.M.C.A. of Union Baptist Church .

R.A. got married in December 1960 to Mrs. Rachael Oluremi Obaleke (nee Igbodipe). They are blessed with four children:  Iyabosola Olubunmi, Olufemi, Olusoji and Tolulope and nine grand children:  Oreoluwa, Akinjisola, Olamide, Damola, Ayomide, Wonuola, Oladipupo, Oluwanifemi and Oluwatofunmi.