Kunle Adelabu
Dr Tajudeen Olukayode Bawa – Allah, the Mogaji of Ikorodu Kingdom and Chairman, Ikorodu Development Forum, who died on Saturday, December 18, 2021, was a man of many parts and different personality to different people.
The late scholar lived a quiet but fulfilled life contributing immensely to his community, state, country at large and humanity in general.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development Ikorodu, Lagos State and human kind as a whole, the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) conferred on him the ‘Community Life Time Outstanding Award’ on Saturday, November 20, 2021.
The eight day fidau prayer for the late Mogaji of Ikorodu who died at a private hospital on the Island and buried at the Ikoyi cemetery in Lagos on same day, was held at his Solomade residence in lkorodu on Saturday, December 25, with the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Sefiudeen Ademoritan Olowooribi and Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque, Sheikh Yahyah Osoala As-Samadani, leading the prayer session.
Many dignitaries and residents also joined the Bawa – Allah family for the prayer session and the social engagement held thereafter.
Dr Bawa – Allah was born February 15, 1941, in Lagos Island, Lagos. He hailed from the Agun Chieftaincy Family in Aga, Ikorodu and his lineage is the Oluwo Melerin in Itunla, Ikorodu.
For his management education, Bawa – Allah attended the British Transport Staff College, Woking, United Kingdom and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
Bawa – Allah also attended Moscow Automobile and Road Construction Institute, Moscow (Russian Federation) and Ogun State University, Ago – Iwoye, Ogun State (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) for his University education.
He attended Technical College, Ibadan (now The Polytechnic Ibadan) and Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, for his technical education.
He was installed as the Mogaji of Ikorodu Kingdom in 1996 and was the Honourable General Secretary of the Council of Otunbas and Chiefs of Ikorodu between 1997 and 1998.
A devout Muslim, the late scholar was installed as the Mogaji Adinni, Ikorodu Central Mosque, in 1995 and Baba Adinni, Aga Central Mosque, Aga, Ikorodu, also in 1995.
He was the pioneer Dean, School of Transportation, 2008 – 2013, Director, Centre for Planning Studies, 2006 – 2008, Lagos State University (LASU) , Ojo, 1997 – 2006/2006 – 2013, KABOL Consultants, Lagos, Sept, 1988, KABOL Farms, June 1988.
He was also the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Transport Corporation (LSTC), 1986 – 1988, National Freight Company Limited (NFC), 1978 – 1986, Lagos Mainland Local Government, 1975 – 1978 and Lagos Town Council/Lagos City Council, 1960 – 1975.
Late Bawallah was a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (FAEng), 2008, Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), 1992, Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers, 1980, Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM), 1992, Associate Member, Nigerian Institute of Management, 1982, Fellow, Chartered Institute of Logistics Transport (FCILT), 2007, Member, Chartered Institute of Logistics Transport, 1983.
His published books are Ikorodu Local Government: The Way Forward, 2000, Public Transportation In Nigeria, 2003, PhD Thesis, ‘Integration of Public Transport System In Lagos Metropolis’, 2006, In His Reign: a Compendium In Honour of HRM Oba S.A.A. Oyefusi, 2011, Nigeria Inter – Religious Council (NIREC Lagos State Chapter): Compendium of Activities, 2006 – 2013, Ikorodu – Lagos Road: Legacy of Our Heroes past, 1953 – 2013, His Works and Extracts: Babatunde Olusola Benson, 2021 and Asiwaju: A Compendium in Honour of Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson, 2021.
During his lifetime, Prof. Bawallah presented many Conference papers and many of his articles were also published.
He served in many capacities at the Federal, State and Local Governments levels.
As a sociable man, Late Bawa – Allah was the Assistant General Secretary, Eko Club, 1992 – 1994. He also served Oriwu Club, Ikorodu, as the Assistant General Secretary, 1993 – 1994, Honourable General Secretary, 1994 – 1996 and Honourable Social Secretary, 1996 – 1997.
He was a devoted Muslim, committed community leader and responsible family man and was survived by his loving wife and children.
