Prof.
Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola was born to the family of Elder and Deaconess
Olusola Ojo Eleka of Eleka’s compound in Ikere-Ekiti some 49 years ago.
He started his educational pursuit at St. Matthew’s Primary School,
Ikere-Ekiti (1972-1978) and had his Secondary School Education at
Annunciation School, Ikere-Ekiti (1978-1983) where he recorded
exceptional outstanding performances as an award and prize winning best
student throughout his sojourn in the schools as a born scholar.
The
enviable academic feat was equally achieved in his first degree
five-year University education at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
between 1984 and 1989. He had his first degree in Building from Obafemi
Awolowo University (OAU) and graduated as the best student in his set.
Prof Kolapo Olusola also holds a Master’s Degree in Construction
Technology from University of Lagos in 1993 and Ph.D. in Building
Structures from Obafemi Awolowo University in 2005. Prof Kolapo Olusola
started his career in 1990 as a Graduate Assistant from where he rose
through the ranks to become an Associate Professor in 2009.
Until
his election as Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof Olusola was an
accomplished teacher in the Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo
University for twenty-four (24) years.
At
the postgraduate level, he had successfully supervised two PhD students
at Obafemi Awolowo University. He also successfully supervised two PhD
students at Covenant University, Ota; as main supervisor of one and as
co-supervisor of the other. He had equally supervised two M.Phil and
nine M.Sc. students, all in the field of Building Structures within the
past nine years after obtaining his PhD degree. He had severally served
as External examiner in many Universities within the country.
His
research interests are mainly in the field of Alternative Building
Materials Development for Housing Construction, Construction Technology
and Structural Mechanics. He has over fifty (50) academic research
publications in local and international journals and conference
proceedings to his credit.
Beyond
this high profile reputation and enviable aforementioned academic
records, Prof Kolapo Olusola is a very diligent, hardworking and
principled leader whose legacies and achievements in the areas of
human-power empowerment and capacity building during the past few years
as the Ekiti State Deputy Governor has continued to attract many
admirers and followers to him. As an epitome of humility, he radiates
love and affection towards people around him. More significantly, his
unflinching loyalty to his boss, His Excellency, Prof Peter Ayodele
Fayose, the Executive Governor of Ekiti State is notable and has made
both the young and old people of Ekiti adjudge him as “Stabilizing
Factor” and a special gift not only to his boss but to the entire people
of Ekiti State.
Under
the supervision of this great achiever and with the unwavering and
resolute support of his boss, Ekiti State moved from thirty fourth
(34th) position under the immediate past administration to eleventh
(1Ith) position in WASC organized examination in 2016. For the first
time in Ekiti State’s history, Ekiti State came first (1st) in NECO
organized examination with a cumulative score of 96.48% in 2016 as
against 58% of the immediate past government in 2014.
It
is on record that under the supervision of Prof Kolapo Olusola, Ekiti
State represented Nigeria in an international debate competition in
Singapore and was awarded the “Best First-Timer Performance” trophy;
just as Ekiti State was equally rated the overall best in Young Nigerian
Scientist Presidential Award (out of 774 participating students) in
2017. In addition, Ekiti State emerged with Best Performance in Junior
Engineers, Technologists and Scientists (JETS) in Interstate Quiz
Competition in 2017; also, the state won the overall best student
performance in 2016 (Science Teachers Association of Nigeria)
STAN-organized Science written and quiz competitions.
It
is worthy of note that Ekiti State, through the introduction of new
approach to teaching by the State’s Ministry of Education, Science and
Technology under the amiable leadership of this Deputy Governor, emerged
overall best in the Southwest ANCOPSS-organized essay competition and
attained Third (3rd) position in the National Essay Competition in 2017.
Similarly,
Ekiti people have continued to commend this excellent innovator for his
Spelling-Bee initiative which has apparently returned reading culture
and healthy academic competition in schools through the scholarships it
offers to the best students and pupils in each category of the
competition. No doubt, Ekiti State is generally peaceful and progressing
educationally. For this, the people are happy and appreciative of this
unique being and personality.
As
a Christian, Prof Kolapo Olusola stands out in his mentorship roles as
the Former National Coordinator of the Christ Apostolic Church Students’
Association (CACSA) Fellowships in Nigerian Higher Institutions. He is
currently a member of the Governing Council of Christ Apostolic Church
Students’ Association being the apex body of the group. His achievements
are being attested to by many young people of the church especially on
moral and spiritual development, leadership capacity-building,
self-discovery and maximization of good talents; which he successfully
achieved as the Osun State Coordinator (1998-2004) and later as the
Head, Directorate of Higher Institution, NYSC and TEENS Affairs for 10
years (2004- 2014). As a mentor and teacher to students, he is renowned
for his teachings on integrity, faithfulness, diligence and so many
other aspects of leadership traits and of course the doctrines of
faithfulness and loyalty as ways to be effective and productive as
future leaders.
Professionally,
Prof Kolapo Olusola Eleka is an accomplished Registered Builder who had
previously held very important positions at state and national levels
(Osun State N.I.OB. – Nigerian Institute of Building – Chairman
2006-2009 during which the state Chapter was able to host the national
convention of NIOB for the first time; At National level – Registrar of
N.I.O.B., 2007-2009, Research Secretary 2009 – 2011 and Member, National
Council of NIOB, 2006 – 2011; Examiner, NIOB 1998-2002; 2006 – 2011).
As part of noble recognition accorded this prolific son of Ekiti, the following Awards have been given to him, which include:
– Service Leadership Award by University of Pittsburg, USA
(For Exemplary Servant Leadership and Commitment to Excellence in Teaching and Learning Assessment in Ekiti State)
– Best Builder in Administration by Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building (Merit Award)
– Outstanding Commitment to Education Award
– Special Recognition Award by Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Nigeria
– Award of Recognition by Joint National Built Environment Conference, Nigeria
– Professional Award of Recognition by Stanford University, USA
– Professional Award of Recognition by University of Pittsburgh, USA
– Award of Excellence as Outstanding God’s Army General by Word of Redemption
Evangelical Ministry, Nigeria
–
Award of Recognition for contribution and commitment to the growth of
Education in Ekiti State by Shepherd International College, Nigeria.
– Special Achievement Award for Nation-Building and Grass-root Development by Oshoko Mass Movement, Nigeria.
– Outstanding Award of Recognition for Commitment to Education by Gemina Illuminous International, Nigeria.
– Award of appreciation by Christ Apostolic Church, Victorious Assembly, Ile-Ife.
–
Ohaneze Award as Enyi Ndigbo in recognition of commitment and
contribution towards the welfare and progress of NDIGBO in Ekiti Land.
– Award of Excellence as “OUTSTANDING Old Boy” by Old Boy’s Association of Annunciation School, Ikere – Ekiti.
– Award of Excellence as the Best Friend of Nigerian Students by Students’ Union Government, Federal Polytechnic, Ado.
– Award of Honour by National Association of Ikere Students; to mention a few.
Prof
Olusola is an ordained Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide and
he is happily married to Deaconess Janet Olusola and blessed with three
precious children.
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