Remo Community Leader, Chief Kofoworola Oduguwa Dies

A Remo, Ogun State Community leader and seasoned politician Chief Kofoworola Adenuga David Oduguwa, is dead.

He died on Friday February 21 at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Oyo State after a brief illness.

The deceased was 81.

The late Chief Oduguwa was born in Lagos on Thursday 9th of March 1939 to a Lagos-based Merchant, Prince David Soyebo Darlington Oduguwa, popularly known as D.S.D Oduguwa, and Chief Mrs. Gbemisola Oduguwa, both from Isote and Ibido Sagamu.

Young Kofo, as the deceased was fondly called in his youth days, lost his father three months after his birth, (5 June 1939) but inherited only 6 pence (for baby Gel) from his father’s multi-million naira estate.

He started fending for himself and his mother at the age of 7.

At one point, he was hawking water and at another a labourer, firewood seller and houseboy.

He attended AUD Primary School Sagamu, Holy Trinity Anglican School Sokoto, St. Peters Anglican School Minna, St. Michael Anglican School Kaduna, Clerical School Zaria, Manchester School for Salesmanship (Through Correspondent) and Hamburg Engineering School, Berlin.

Professionally, Kofo worked as a Clerk, Ministry of Finance, Kaduna (1957-1959); Assistant Manager, Gordon Woodroffe of London, Lagos (1960-1965); Apprentice Automobile Repair, Western Germany (1965-1966); and Filter at British Railway London (1969-1971).

Kofo joined active politics in 1959 as member (Party-Agent) of the defunct Action Group of Nigeria (AG). He later joined National Party of Nigeria, NPN in 1978 and served as its Deputy Chairman in Ogun State under the leadership of late Chief MKO Abiola.

Oduguwa later joined National Republican Convention, NRC in 1992, UNCP in 1995 and was a founding member of PDP in 1998. Until his death, he was PDP leading leader in Ogun State.

With his motto: ‘Endurance and perseverance’ and favourite quotes: ‘Behind success lies years of hardwork, slog and in, some cases headache, before glimmer off, success is achieved’, ‘what you can get, you don’t buy it’, the deceased believed in hardwork and recorded so many milestone during his lifetime.

Late Chief Oduguwa built his first house at age 23 in December, 1962.

He was installed the Otun-Balogun of Makun Sagamu in March 1977 at the age of 38; became the Lisa of Ibido in March 1993 at the age of 54; and was installed the Oloritun of Isote Makun Sagamu during the celebration of his 70th birthday.

The deceased was also honoured with the title of Balogun Ijo Methodist, Soyindo Sagamu due to his many contributions to the Church’s growth.

Until his death, he was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, pilot of many destinies, industrialist, farmer, politician, nationalist, community leader and humble achiever.

Late Oduguwa was survived by wives, many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren including Dr. Adedara Oduguwa, Mr. Adegbuyi Oduguwa, Dr. Adebanke Oduguwa and Miss Adesewa Adekoyejo Oduguwa.

Burial arrangements will be announced soon by the family.