It’s a truism that anything that has a beginning, definitely, must have an end and the prayer of every civil servant, either in goverment establishments or private Organisations is to joyously witness his/her retirement celebration.Thereafter, commences a new journey of life.
God has graciously preserved and answered the prayers of Prince Oluwafemi Oniyelu James who on 3rd August, 2023 joyously and gorgeously bowed out of Ekiti State Government Service having served meritoriously for thirty five years unblemished.
A seasoned Administrator, an Encyclopedia and great historian of this generation who had criss- crossed ‘the length and breadth’ of Ondo and Ekiti states as a local government staff. Prince James Oniyelu retired as a level 16 Officer in Ekiti East Local Government, Omuo Ekiti.
Prince O.J Oniyelu’s positive interventions on pivotal issues ranging from administration, community and chieftaincy matters in all the places he had worked can not be easily forgotten; His impacts were felt. He is an orator, a researcher, a disciplinarian, a community man to the core and an apostle of doing things right who detest cutting corners.
His vast experience in the local government service necessitated his call for local government autonomy. According to him,” to fully enjoy dividends of democracy, local government must be given autonomy, they should get their allocation directly from Federal Government and utilize it to rapidly develop local communities and empower people at the grassroot because they’re closer to the people and they know where shoe pinches them”
O .J Oniyelu remained a unionist till his last day in service. He involved in many struggles that have made local government workers at almost pal with their counterparts in teaching Service. His unionism ethos is visible in his ways of life.Probably that is why he looks younger than his age.
In one of my encounter with him, he advocated that Government should allow local government staff enjoy all the privileges given to teachers and be allowed to rise to the peak of their careers unhindered . Also called for local government autonomy.
His wealth of experience should not be allowed to waste, Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti and the youths in general should tap from the administrative and native intelligence of Chief O.J Oniyelu who is now retired but not tired to contribute to the upliftment of his dear community, Ilupeju Ekiti and Ekiti State.
O.J as fondly called, will on 13th August, 2023 display his oratory and dancing prowees in appreciation to God for a successful career @ St. Marks Anglican Church, Ilupeju Ekiti, Ekiti State by 10 am.
Conclusively, it’s pertinent to x-ray the educational background of this vibrant and exceptional leader who has successfully catched a nitch for himself as he returns home:
Primary education- Local Authority primary school, 1967-1973, Secondary Modern School, 1974- 1975. Obalatan Commercial Grammar School, Ilupeju Ekiti 1976-1981. Divisional Teachers College, Ado Ekiti, 1984-1986.
Ondo State Government Staff Training School, Itaogbolu, Ondo State, 1991. Improvement Course,
Government Staff Training School Itaogbolu Ondo State, 1992. Certificate in local Government Studies .
University of Benin, Benin City 1996- 2000 BSC Local Government management.
Nigeria institute of Local Government and public administration of Nigeria, 2008 MCPA . 2010 FCPA ..
Presently, he is a student of National Open University, Nigeria (NOUN) studying Law .