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Big Daddy

Chief Bolakale Kotun, Economist, Administrator, renowned technocrat, lover of history, books, and public service was a native of Isale Eko, Lagos Nigeria. He was born on 26th April 1929 to Lamina Sanni-Kotun of Agarawu, Lagos and Afusat Abeke Kasunmu Alokolaro of Epetedo, Lagos , Nigeria.


Tributes

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Oyinkansola Talabi
March 18, 2019
March 18, 2019
Gentle and reserved, always received me and sent me off with a prayer and blessing
Livingspring Samuel
March 10, 2019
March 10, 2019
"And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better. For they existed." - Maya Angelou
There was never a visit to him that wouldn't end with a handshake and "thank you very much" from him. He had gratitude and he gave it. He was a gentleman, a fine gentleman.

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Recent Tributes
Oyinkansola Talabi
March 18, 2019
March 18, 2019
Gentle and reserved, always received me and sent me off with a prayer and blessing
Livingspring Samuel
March 10, 2019
March 10, 2019
"And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better. For they existed." - Maya Angelou
There was never a visit to him that wouldn't end with a handshake and "thank you very much" from him. He had gratitude and he gave it. He was a gentleman, a fine gentleman.
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Big Daddy and his Grandchildren
Grandchildren singing at Big Daddy's 80th Birthday
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His Life
March 10, 2019
by Oluwateniola Disu

A Prince of Eko from the influential Onilegbale Chieftancy Family (on his mother's side), reserved, erudite and introspective, he had his primary education at St Patrick's Catholic School, Idumagbo, Lagos with his childhood and age-long friends Dr. Yinka Gbajumo and Chief Lai Olumegbon. For  short time he also attended  St Patrick's School, Sokoto. His secondary education was at Eko Boys High School, Lagos. 

Before travelling abroad for the proverbial golden fleece, he has a stint as a teacher in the Republic of Liberia. In the United Sated, he attended Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA and Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA (where he obtained his Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Economics). Thereafter, he obtained a Masters degree in Public Administration (with a concentration in public and administrative laws) from New York University, NY ; and attended other programs at Columbia University, New York and the Royal Institute of Public Administration in London. 

Chief Bolakale Kotun, was a passionate Public Administrator and began his career as a public servant with  Lagos State Public Service as a transferee from the Western Nigeria Statutory Corporations Service Commission on 15th July 1972. He continued to be involved in the administration of the public service for several decades and held top posts at both Lagos State and the Federal Government of Nigeria levels.
He was retired from the Lagos State Civil Service on 5th April 1984 but continued to represent Lagos State on Federal Government Privatisation Committees; with his final appointment from 1996 - 2002 as a Commissioner, Federal Civil Service Commission representing Lagos State.
After over 20 years of research in Lagos and London collecting oral and written accounts on the History of his homeland, he authored the "The History of the Eko Dynasty". In his words, "I did not write the book about myself and my family, but to set records straight in an objective manner. I wanted to leave it as a legacy for the young ones . . .something to build upon"

Bolakale Kotun was conferred with the religious titles of Irawo Adinni of Lagos Central Mosque, Ekerin Adinni of Oko-Awo Mosque, Aare Musulumi of Abu Court Epetedo Mosque and Bada Adinni of Surulere Central Mosque.

Until his death he served as the patriarch and Olori-ebi, Head of the Braiah Kotun Family Dynasty of Agarwu, Lagos, as well as Kasunmu Alokolare Family of Epetedo, Lagos, Nigeria. 

Big Daddy will be fondly remembered by his wife of over 45years, Adetola, his daughter, Oluwasola and his grand-daughter, Oluwateniola; as well as his extended- Braimah Kotun Family Dynasty of Agarawu, Lagos and Kasunmu Alokolaro family of Epetedo for his discipline, dedication and relentless love for family, community and development of his home state, Lagos and Nigeria in general. 
Recent stories

Chief KOTUN

March 10, 2019
by Adejugbagbe Muyiwa Kennet...

Chief A great man indeed. 


I saw him briefly, not when he's in his physical best, but in the brevity of our meetings, I could tell this man has been a warrior, a fighter, not one that would back down so easily, Never say Never. In spite of the poor diagnosis, he maintained a positive confession & attitude all through. I also saw a special bonding between father and daughter, a daughter that would go all the way for her father even when everything looked dark and closed up. I pray for such child. I remembered when I asked him whether he's been to Akure, he answered with a strong voice. Continue to rest in peace Baba Sola. Adieu! I pray God give the family the fortitude and forbearance to bear this collosal loss. Ojo ajinaa si rawon o

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