Fashola hits golden age …… Born in Lagos on June 28, 1963, Fashola is a fifth generation Lagosian and a direct descendant of the patriach of the Fashola family in Isalegangan. On the Fashola family tree, he is the great grandson of Bello Fashola, a philanthropist and a very close friend of Esugbayi Eleko, who contributed morally and financially to the struggle to return Esugbayi Eleko to Lagos after the Oba’s banishment from his kingdom by the then colonial government. Bello Fashola had 137 children with Tiamiyu Bashorun Fashola as the eldest child. Fashola is also a descendant of the Shomade family of Isale Eko through his paternal grandmother as well as a descendant of the Bashua and Suenu families of Lagos. His paternal great, great grandmother was Jarinatu Okunnu from Isale Eko Onilegbe family whilst his maternal great grandmother is from Idumagbo Isale Eko of the Suenu Chieftancy family. He was educated at Sunny Fields Primary School Adelabu, Surulere in Lagos; Birch Freeman High School, Surulere, Lagos and Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos. He studied Law at the University of Benin from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B (Hon.) degree in 1987. Fashola was called to the Nigerian Bar as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in November 1988 after completing the professional training programme at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. He subsequently enrolled to perform the mandatory one year national service under the National Youth Service Corps programme in Benin, in the then Bendel State, from 1988 to 1989. During that period, he carried out his primary assignment as Counsel in the Law Firm of Late Dr. G.I.S. Omonuwa & Company. His legal career of over two decades, commenced in the law Firm of Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe and Belgore, where he cut his legal teeth as a litigator over such wide-ranging areas of specialization as, intellectual property (registration of trade marks), commercial law, covering general contracts, company activities, mergers, acquisitions, right issues, ownership of shares and equity of corporations, as well as land disputes, criminal law and chieftaincy matters, in all of which he acquired appreciable expertise and vast experience. He has also, in the course of his distinguished law career, successfully pleaded a number of cases before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, different Divisions of the Court of Appeal and a host of federal and state high courts across the Country. In 1993, he voluntarily resigned his engagement in the firm of Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe and Belgore, and joined the law firm of K.O. Tinubu & Company, as an investing Partner. He was Managing Partner, Lead Counsel, and highest fee earner of the firm from 1994 to August 2002 when he was appointed Chief of Staff to Tinubu. He is also a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who has been variously honoured with awards and certificates of merit including the Distinguished Alumnus Award conferred on him by the University of Benin Alumni Association in recognition of contributions to the association and humanity. He is also a recipient of Lagos State public service club Platinum Award for outstanding contribution towards development. As well as Alliance for Democracy “ Igbogbo Bayeku Local Government Award” in recognition of activities towards the success of the party. Fashola is a Patron of the Law Students Association of the University of Benin and he is the second law graduate from the University of Benin and the first member of the Nigerian Law School graduating class of 1998 to be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate. Prior to becoming governor, he served as Chief of Staff to Tinubu. He also served the state in various other capacities as follows: Secretary of the Lands Sub-Committee of the Transitional Work Groups, 1999; member of the panel of enquiry into allocation of houses on the Mobolaji Johnson Housing Scheme, Lekki in 2000; member of the State Tenders Board – 2002- 2006; member of Lagos State Executive Council -2002-2006; member of the State Security Council -2002-2006; member of the State Treasury Board -2002-2006; Chairman Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of Asset distribution among local governments. The governor is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. Fashola is a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The governor belongs to a number of social clubs, notably Island Club, Ikoyi Club, Eko Club, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club and Eagle Club, Surulere. He is an ardent sportsman who passionately loves playing and watching football. Besides, he enjoys swimming and playing occasional billiards, lawn tennis, snooker and squash.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 10:53:00 +0000
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