Biography of Sir Tony Adeleke (KSG)
August 19, 2020
Anthony Ayoola Adeleke was born in Oyo town on the 12th March 1936, to the family of late Pa John Adeleke of ile onikanga, Agunpopo Oyo and late Adewunmi Ayoka Adeleke nee Owoade (Alowolodu Royal Lineage) Ile Oloko-meje in Oyo town.
Education
Sir Adeleke started his primary education at St Joseph’s catholic Primary School, Oyo and St Theresa Catholic Primary School Ijio, between 1944 to 1953.
He then proceeded to the prestigious Baptist Boys High School, Oyo (Now Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo) from 1955 to 1959. After his secondary education, he proceeded to the Emergency School of Science, Onikan Lagos, (which later became The Federal School of Science) between 1959-1960. He then had a brief stint at Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) as an Engineering Assistant. After leaving WNTV, he then taught Physics and Mathematics at St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo before moving to the University of Ife to study Physics as a major in 1963. He completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Education at the University of Ibadan in 1975, marking his switch from core sciences to Education.
Career Track
Sir Adeleke's working career started with UACN in January 1960 as Accounts Clerk with UAC Central Accounts Department, Ibadan.
On completion of his bachelor’s degree from the then University of Ife in 1967, He took up a teaching appointment in 1968 at Oranyan Grammar Schools where he served from 1968 to 1975. Following his stint at Oranyan Grammar School, he was appointed vice-principal at Ogbomoso Baptist High School from 1975-1977. In January 1978, he became the pioneer principal at Isale Oyo Community Grammar School, where he laid a foundation of the great institution and this is evident in the calibre of his ex-students in various endeavours across the world. In 1982, he moved to St Bernadine’s Grammar School, Oyo and was principal from 1982 to 1991. From 1992 until his retirement in 1999, he was School principal / Director at Ladigbolu Grammar School, Oyo.
He was the Oyo Zonal Secretary of ANCOPSS - All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools from 1981-1984, then became the State 1st Vice President (Old Oyo State) between 1984 -1986, then President from 1986-1987.
He was a member and later Assistant National Secretary of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) since 1969.
Member Board of Governors:
1. St Bernadines Grammar School, Oyo from 1968-1982
2. Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo from 1979-1983
3. Abiodun Atiba Memorial Institute, Oyo 1979-1989
He was a Chief Examiner with WAEC in Physics.
Author and co-author of a number of science publications.
Community & Church
Sir Tony was at various times in his life a strong advocate of Oyo community development.
He was a member of the Coronation committee for the historic coronation of His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba yeye Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III as the Alaafin of Oyo in 1971.
In the early 70s, he was the Secretary of Atiba Movement, Oyo, a strong socio-cultural organisation of eminent Oyo elites, serving as a powerful advisory to the Alaafin of Oyo-in-Council. He was a member of the strategic Oyo think tank that pushed for the creation of Oyo as capital of New Oyo State, creation of three other local government councils - Oyo West, Oyo East and Atiba local government councils.
Member, Yoruba Council of Elders, Ibadan Chapter.
Chairman NTA Oyo, Launching/Commissioning committee.
In 1982, during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Nigeria, he led a delegation of Catholic faithfuls from Oyo - now Oyo Catholic Diocese and took one of the ‘prayers of the faithful’ during the open air mass celebrated by the Pope at the University of Ibadan.
In the local parish at Asogo, oyo, he was a Prayer leader and a lay reader. He was also the Secretary of the Church Pastoral Council for many years and he later became Chairman of the Pastoral Council and was also Chairman of the Laity council.
He was also a Youth Councillor at the Annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Seminar at the the Old Oyo Diocese now Osogbo Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Ede, Osun State.
In October, 1990, He was inducted to the order of Papal knights - as a Knight of St Gregory (KSG) by His Holiness Saint Pope John Paul II. The investiture was performed on behalf of the Pope by the Papal Nuncio ArchBishop Carlo Maria Vigano and now Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie at St Benedict's Catholic Cathedral, Osogbo.
In 2002, he became the Baba Ijo of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Oyo.
He was deeply devoted to his patron saint - St Anthony and served as member and leader of St Anthony’s guild, Ibadan province of the Catholic Church.
One of the pioneer, Prayer Leaders commissioned in Oyo Diocese.
Patron of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) Oyo Zone.
Sir Tony was a member and later Chairman of the well known Binukonu Society of Oyo.
Founding Member, Lions Club of Oyo.
A member of the Board of Trustees for the Iyaji Foundation - Oladele Mogba Foundation.
He was patron to a number of community organizations, prominent among them is the United Vanguard.
A silent philanthropist with direct impact on education of the less privileged.
Sports
A keen sports lover, he supported IICC shooting stars FC, Ibadan and Derby County FC UK.
He was President of Oyo Tennis Club for many years during his active time.
Member, Treasurer and later President, Club 21, Oyo from 1967.
Family
Sir Tony Adeleke is survived by his wife Lady Victoria Olanrewaju Adeleke and five illustrious children - Ambassador Victor ‘Kunle Adeleke, Dr Anthony ‘Demola Adeleke, Engr Patrick ‘Yemi Adeleke, Engr Henry ‘Bimbo Adeleke and Rev Sr Augustina Yewande Adeleke.
He is also blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Education
Sir Adeleke started his primary education at St Joseph’s catholic Primary School, Oyo and St Theresa Catholic Primary School Ijio, between 1944 to 1953.
He then proceeded to the prestigious Baptist Boys High School, Oyo (Now Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo) from 1955 to 1959. After his secondary education, he proceeded to the Emergency School of Science, Onikan Lagos, (which later became The Federal School of Science) between 1959-1960. He then had a brief stint at Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) as an Engineering Assistant. After leaving WNTV, he then taught Physics and Mathematics at St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo before moving to the University of Ife to study Physics as a major in 1963. He completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Education at the University of Ibadan in 1975, marking his switch from core sciences to Education.
Career Track
Sir Adeleke's working career started with UACN in January 1960 as Accounts Clerk with UAC Central Accounts Department, Ibadan.
On completion of his bachelor’s degree from the then University of Ife in 1967, He took up a teaching appointment in 1968 at Oranyan Grammar Schools where he served from 1968 to 1975. Following his stint at Oranyan Grammar School, he was appointed vice-principal at Ogbomoso Baptist High School from 1975-1977. In January 1978, he became the pioneer principal at Isale Oyo Community Grammar School, where he laid a foundation of the great institution and this is evident in the calibre of his ex-students in various endeavours across the world. In 1982, he moved to St Bernadine’s Grammar School, Oyo and was principal from 1982 to 1991. From 1992 until his retirement in 1999, he was School principal / Director at Ladigbolu Grammar School, Oyo.
He was the Oyo Zonal Secretary of ANCOPSS - All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools from 1981-1984, then became the State 1st Vice President (Old Oyo State) between 1984 -1986, then President from 1986-1987.
He was a member and later Assistant National Secretary of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) since 1969.
Member Board of Governors:
1. St Bernadines Grammar School, Oyo from 1968-1982
2. Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo from 1979-1983
3. Abiodun Atiba Memorial Institute, Oyo 1979-1989
He was a Chief Examiner with WAEC in Physics.
Author and co-author of a number of science publications.
Community & Church
Sir Tony was at various times in his life a strong advocate of Oyo community development.
He was a member of the Coronation committee for the historic coronation of His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba yeye Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III as the Alaafin of Oyo in 1971.
In the early 70s, he was the Secretary of Atiba Movement, Oyo, a strong socio-cultural organisation of eminent Oyo elites, serving as a powerful advisory to the Alaafin of Oyo-in-Council. He was a member of the strategic Oyo think tank that pushed for the creation of Oyo as capital of New Oyo State, creation of three other local government councils - Oyo West, Oyo East and Atiba local government councils.
Member, Yoruba Council of Elders, Ibadan Chapter.
Chairman NTA Oyo, Launching/Commissioning committee.
In 1982, during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Nigeria, he led a delegation of Catholic faithfuls from Oyo - now Oyo Catholic Diocese and took one of the ‘prayers of the faithful’ during the open air mass celebrated by the Pope at the University of Ibadan.
In the local parish at Asogo, oyo, he was a Prayer leader and a lay reader. He was also the Secretary of the Church Pastoral Council for many years and he later became Chairman of the Pastoral Council and was also Chairman of the Laity council.
He was also a Youth Councillor at the Annual Diocesan Catholic Youth Seminar at the the Old Oyo Diocese now Osogbo Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Ede, Osun State.
In October, 1990, He was inducted to the order of Papal knights - as a Knight of St Gregory (KSG) by His Holiness Saint Pope John Paul II. The investiture was performed on behalf of the Pope by the Papal Nuncio ArchBishop Carlo Maria Vigano and now Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie at St Benedict's Catholic Cathedral, Osogbo.
In 2002, he became the Baba Ijo of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Oyo.
He was deeply devoted to his patron saint - St Anthony and served as member and leader of St Anthony’s guild, Ibadan province of the Catholic Church.
One of the pioneer, Prayer Leaders commissioned in Oyo Diocese.
Patron of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) Oyo Zone.
Sir Tony was a member and later Chairman of the well known Binukonu Society of Oyo.
Founding Member, Lions Club of Oyo.
A member of the Board of Trustees for the Iyaji Foundation - Oladele Mogba Foundation.
He was patron to a number of community organizations, prominent among them is the United Vanguard.
A silent philanthropist with direct impact on education of the less privileged.
Sports
A keen sports lover, he supported IICC shooting stars FC, Ibadan and Derby County FC UK.
He was President of Oyo Tennis Club for many years during his active time.
Member, Treasurer and later President, Club 21, Oyo from 1967.
Family
Sir Tony Adeleke is survived by his wife Lady Victoria Olanrewaju Adeleke and five illustrious children - Ambassador Victor ‘Kunle Adeleke, Dr Anthony ‘Demola Adeleke, Engr Patrick ‘Yemi Adeleke, Engr Henry ‘Bimbo Adeleke and Rev Sr Augustina Yewande Adeleke.
He is also blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.