By Daniel Abe
Political leaders, government officials, family members and associates on Tuesday converged on Ekiti State to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Executive Chairperson of Irewolede Local Council Development Area, Hon. (Mrs) Dupe Bakare.
The event attracted the Chief of Staff to the Ekiti State Governor, Hon. Adeniyi Adebayo; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Sola Elesin; former commissioner and APC women leader, Chief (Mrs) Ronke Okusanya,former Executive Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Hon. Dapo Kolawole, wife of lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II, Mrs Olusola Omoleye, lawmaker representing Ijero Constituency, Hon. Ademola Ojo and his counterpart from Ilejemeje constituency,Hon. Iyabo Fakunle, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Olaleye and members of APC female elders.
The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Ekiti State chapter, Hon. Olusegun Ojo, led other council chairmen to the ceremony.
Also in attendance were the Vice Chairman of Irewolede LCDA, Hon. Samson Kolawole; the Secretary, Adewale Adebo; and members of the council’s management team led by the Head of Local Administration, Mr Babatunde Vincent.
Pastor (Mrs) Esther Abdullahi, wife of the Provincial Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, also led members of the church to celebrate with the council boss.
Bakare, who arrived at the venue with her husband, Elder Oluyemi Bakare, and their children, was ushered in amid songs and dancing.
Speaking at the ceremony, the celebrant thanked God for preserving her life and enabling her to attain the milestone.
She also expressed appreciation to her husband for his love, support and encouragement, particularly for allowing her to venture into politics.
Bakare equally acknowledged her political leaders, including former Governor Kayode Fayemi and the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for the responsibilities entrusted to her under their respective administrations.
In her goodwill message, Okusanya described Bakare as a woman of calmness, courage and discipline.
“This is a special day as we are celebrating a unique woman,” she said.
The former commissioner described Bakare as a committed Christian and urged women, particularly those in politics, to emulate her character and dedication to public service.
Similarly, the Ekiti ALGON chairman, Ojo, described Bakare as a “blunt, honest and active” member of the association.
He commended her contributions to local government administration in the state.
Speaking on behalf of Irewolede LCDA, the Vice Chairman, Kolawole, thanked God for the celebrant’s contributions to the council, describing her as the pioneer chairperson who laid a solid foundation for the development of the area.
Kolawole also described Bakare as a prudent administrator who had prioritised the use of available resources to improve the lives of residents.
Speaking on behalf of the children, Master Wole Bakare described his mother as a caring and loving woman who had remained supportive of the family.
The ceremony featured music, dancing, reading of biography,an Ewi chant and presentation of gifts, while guests were treated to meals and entertainment by a live band.
Bakare’s public service journey began after a career in the banking industry.
According to her profile, she started as a Customer Relations Officer with Cooperative Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank, and rose through the ranks to become a Branch Service Manager before retiring as a bank manager.
She obtained a National Diploma in Banking and Finance from Lagos State Polytechnic, Isolo, graduating with Upper Credit in 1996. She later obtained her Higher National Diploma in the same discipline from the institution in 2002, also with Upper Credit.
She subsequently proceeded to Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, where she obtained a postgraduate qualification in Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Bakare joined politics in 2006 and, according to her profile, became the first female senatorial aspirant in Ekiti State.
She served as APC Women Leader for Ekiti Central Senatorial District between October 2014 and May 2015 and became the party’s state women leader in 2015.
Her public service record also includes membership of the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission and the Ekiti State House of Assembly Commission between June 2011 and December 2014.
In 2017, she served as a board member of the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja.
Bakare was elected the pioneer Executive Chairperson of Irewolede LCDA in December 2021 and re-elected for a second term in December 2023.
A Christian and minister in the RCCG, Bakare is also described as a philanthropist, community advocate and promoter of women’s participation in politics.
The birthday celebration brought together political leaders, government officials, religious leaders, family members and associates to honour Bakare and celebrate her years of service to humanity.