Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has formally declared his choice for the Deputy Governor position. Aiyedatiwa has selected Olayide Owolabi Adelami, a native of Owo in Ondo State.
Born over 60 years ago to the family of Oluka Oribokun by Pa and Mrs Amos Adelami, Adelami graduated from Imade College in Owo before pursuing GCE A level at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Lagos. He later earned an MBA degree from Ogun State University.
After completing the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in June 1983, Adelami joined the Federal Civil Service as an Accountant II in December 1983. He started his career in the Treasury Department of the Accountant General of the Federation office and later became one of the pioneer staff of the Constituent Assembly, which eventually became the present-day National Assembly.
Adelami played a crucial role in setting up the Finance and Accounts Department of the National Assembly. In 1996, he contributed to establishing the Accounts Department of the Petroleum Special Trust Fund and later served at the Family Support Trust Fund, where he once again helped set up the Finance and Accounts Department. During this period, the National Hospital in Abuja was successfully executed and delivered.
Recalled to the National Assembly in 2000, Adelami strengthened the Finance Department and eventually became the Head of the Finance and Accounts Department in 2003. He held this position until 2007 when he was confirmed as a Director. In 2008, after completing a senior management course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), he pioneered the newly created Department of Procurement and Supplies.
In 2014, he was promoted to the position of Secretary (Permanent Secretary) at the Directorate of Procurement, Estate, and Works. Subsequently, Adelami was appointed as the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly.
Known for his compassionate nature, Adelami earned the nickname “Husband of the Widows.” He generously donated relief materials to internally displaced persons during unrest in Jos, supported Rural Missionary fields, and actively participated in the Prison Fellowship, Nigeria, ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of prisoners. Additionally, he held the position of 2nd Vice Chairman of the National Board of Trustees of Prison Fellowship for an extended period.