Written by:
Olayinka George Babalola
According to one of the great philosophers, Plato, in his book titled ‘plato republic,’ a philosopher king should be seen as someone who has gone through ‘thick and thin’ of education processes and as such possesses characteristics that are worthy of emulation.
Late Chief George Ayodele Ogunlade did all to attain the position of a philosopher King among his peers.
Going back the memory lane
Chief Ayodele George Ogunlade was a close ally of my Late father Chief George Olugbemiga Babalola of blessed memory.
I could remember vividly they were always together when Cheif Ayodele Ogunlade contested for governorship in the old Ondo state under the auspices of NRC Party, with the Campaign name UTAJEJE MOVEMENT.
My late Father and Late Chief Ayodele Ogunlade were busy making political consultations around the length and breadth of this county with several nocturnal movements because sometimes they don’t return from their trips until 2am or 3am.
Many Nigeria politicians today automatically adopted Chief George Ayodele Ogunlade as their political mentor before his demise, his death attracted the attention of all the political classes in the country because of his eloquent contributions to the planning and development of this Nation. 
Below are some of the facts-finding of the Late Icon:
BA, MA, Retired broadcaster, Industrialist, born March 18, 1934, in Lagos; married Chief Mrs Folashade Ogunlade and Chief Mrs Bola Ogunlade.
They are Blessed with Children Grandchildren and Greatgrandchildren
EDUCATION: St Peter’s School, Sekondi, Ghana, 1942-47, Methodist School, Ifaki-Ekiti, 1947-48, Wesley College, Ibadan, 1950-53, Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan, 1957-59, University College (now University of Ibadan), Ibadan, 1959- 62, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA, 1962-63; Career: Appointed Primary School Teacher, 1954-55; Teacher, Teachers’ Training College, 1956-57; Secondary School Tutor, 1958-59; Senior producer, defunct Western Nigeria Television and Broadcasting Services, WNTV-WNBS, 1963-64; acting Controller of programmes, WNTVWNBS, 1964-65; Personnel Manager, Nigerian Tobacco Company, 1965-66; Director of Programmes, WNTV-WNBS, 1966-75; Executive Producer, WNTV-WNBS, 1960; Chairman, Western Nigeria Schools Board, Ibadan, 1975-76; Administrative Officer, defunct Western State, 1976; appointed General Manager, Ondo State Broadcasting Service, 1976-77; Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Lagos, 1977-78; appointed Permanent Secretary (now Director-General), Ondo State, 1978-79; Chairman and Chief Executive, Adegbemile Enterprises Limited and Adegbemile Food Industries Limited, since 1978; appointed Minister of National Planning, 1995-98;
Fellow, NIPM; Fellow, Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), Fellow, Nigeria Broadcasting Association;
Member, Federal Board of Film Censors, 1958-75; fellow, Nigeria Union of Journalists, 1976;
Member, Nigerian Institute of Management, 1976; member, Institute of Personnel Management, 1977; Former President, Rotary Club of Akure; District Governor, Rotary International (District 913); Chairman, Central Schools Award, Western State, 1975-76; Chairman, NASSI, Ondo State, 1980-88; Chairman, MAN, Ondo State, 1989-91; Chairman, Rotary International; Traditional
Title: Aare Oye of Ancient Oye Ekiti Kingdom; Basorun of Ilupeju Ekiti;
Hobbies: amateur dramatics (writing and detecting), music, reading, game hunting
Official Address:
Adegbemile Enterprises Limited, Adegbemile House, 1,Oba Adesida Road, P.O. Box 318, Akure; Telephone: 034- 232-416, 230-617; House: Harmony Villa, P.O. Box 7, Ilupeju-Ekiti North, Ekiti State.