Ayomide Awe
The Lisa of Imeko, Chief Paul Adesina Adejobi, on Saturday celebrated his 80th birthday with the public presentation of his autobiography, Lisa in Time of Service, as eminent traditional rulers, political leaders and dignitaries paid glowing tributes to his decades of public service and community development.
The event, held at Legacy Hall, Abeokuta Sports Club, Ibara, attracted a host of prominent personalities, including the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako; former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; the Convener of The Alternative Movement, Otunba Segun Showunmi; the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olagbite; the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the Owaale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Adefemi Adeleke; and the Olu of Itori, Oba Lawrence Adeyinka.
Others present were the member representing Ogun West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka; retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Olaniyi Alajogun; former Ogun State Commissioner, Alhaji Bisiriyu Popoola; the Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, alongside government officials, traditional rulers, family members and associates.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Barrister Biyi Otegbeye, described Adejobi as a distinguished statesman whose impact transcends public service, education and traditional leadership.
According to him, the goodwill messages received from across the country reflected the far-reaching influence of the octogenarian.
Otegbeye disclosed that the celebrant’s foremost wish in marking his 80th birthday was to document his life experiences in a book that would inspire future generations.
“Baba is a man of many parts. His desire was to leave behind a book that generations yet unborn can learn from. The goodwill messages only reveal a fraction of the remarkable life he has lived,” he said.
Chairman of the book launch and retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Olaniyi Alajogun, recalled Adejobi’s early years, describing him as one of the outstanding figures of his generation.
He noted that after beginning his career in the private sector, Adejobi distinguished himself in public service through exemplary leadership and integrity.
“I know that by the time people read this book, the upcoming generation will have a lot to learn from his life,” Alajogun stated.
The autobiography, authored by Rev. Tunji Akintayo, was reviewed by Kayode Samuel, who described it as an inspiring account of resilience, discipline and selfless service.
Samuel said the memoir traces Adejobi’s journey from his humble beginnings in Imeko to becoming one of Ogun State’s respected traditional chiefs and public administrators.
He revealed that one of the book’s most remarkable disclosures was that the celebrant had once trained to become a Catholic priest.
According to the reviewer, Adejobi entered a seminary at the age of 17 but was withdrawn by his mother, who opposed his ambition of becoming a Reverend Father.
Samuel also recounted an incident during Adejobi’s days at St. Peter’s College, where a disparaging remark was made about his hometown of Imeko by a Catholic priest.
Rather than react emotionally, he exercised restraint—an experience the reviewer said shaped his enduring philosophy of leadership, humility and service.
Describing Lisa in Time of Service as “a well-written memoir of fulfilled service,” Samuel said the book offers enduring lessons in perseverance, integrity and commitment to community development.
Also paying tribute, the Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board praised Adejobi’s performance during his tenure at the board, describing him as one of the institution’s most outstanding leaders.
He said despite spending less than a year in office, he had repeatedly heard staff members describe Adejobi as one of the best chairmen the board had ever produced.
