Elesa confirms UNILORIN’s Image-maker as Akogun of Oke-Ode
….as Kwara Speaker, Ifelodun LG Chairman hail appointment
By Abubakar Imam
The new Elesa of Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Muftau Akanbi Adebayo Ibrahim (Ilufemiloye 1), has approved the appointment of the Director of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Mr Kunle Akogun as Chief Akogun of Oke-Ode with immediate effect. The traditional ruler also appointed Mr Akogun as Secretary to the Elesa-in-Council.
This development was announced by the monarch after a meeting in his palace last Wednesday (December 10, 2025).
Mr Akogun, a veteran journalist, consummate public relations practitioner and outstanding community leader, had earlier in June this year, been unanimously nominated by members of his Akogun Chieftaincy family for the vacant stool. The royal ralification was one of the first assignments carried out by the new Elesa. He is the eighth occupant of the traditional stool.
Born into the Akogun chieftaincy family of Oke-Ode on February 2, 1963, the veteran journalist obtained his Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1984 and 2002, respectively.
After about three productive decades in the field of journalism, Mr Akogun joined the services of the University of Ilorin as Deputy Director and Head of the Directorate of Corporate Affairs in 2012. He succeeded in turning around the Directorate as his efforts culminated in the University becoming the nation’s most subscribed consistently for more than a decade.
Mr Akogun is a Member of several professional bodies. These include the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Institute of Professional Corporate Administrators(IPCA). He is also a Fellow of the Fourth Estate Professional Society (FEPS).
Apart from being the National Public Relations Officer of the Oke-Ode Community Development Association, Mr Akogun is also the Vice President of the Igbomina Ekiti Muslim Forum (IEMF). and the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Igbomina Professionals Association(IPA).
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Danladi- Salihu, has congratulated Mr Akogun on his emergence as the eighth Akogun of Oke-Ode.
Hon. Danladi-Salihu, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sheu Abdulkadir Yusuf, described the appointment of the new Akogun of Oke-Ode as well-deserved.
He noted that the appointment is a recognition of the impeccable leadership qualities of the new High Chief and a reward for his long years of patriotic service and sacrifices to the community.
The Speaker, while congratulating the Elesa of Oke-Ode for making a perfect choice in appointing the new Akogun, wished Mr Akogun a long, peaceful, and prosperous reign.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulRasheed Femi Yusuf, also rejoiced with the veteran journalist.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Abdulquadri Jimba, the Chairman described Mr Akogun’s appointment as well-deserved, adding that his long-standing contributions to the progress, unity and cultural heritage of Oke-Ode have earned him the respect and admiration of the community.
He expressed confidence that Mr Akogun would bring wisdom, integrity and renewed commitment to his new roles.
The Chairman prayed for a successful and impactful reign for the new Akogun and wished the Elesa-in-Council continued progress.
In a related development, the University of Ilorin chapters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Radio, Television,Theatre and Art Workers Union(RATTAWU, have also congratulated Mr Akogun on the confirmation of his appointment as High Chief Akogun of Oke-Ode.
The two unions, in separate statements, by their Chairmen, Mr Tijani Adewoyin and Mr Yinka Saliu, respectively, described the appointment as a well deserved honour for the distinguished pen-pusher.
They both wished the veteran journalist a very long, happy and rewarding reign.
