Family, royal fathers, traditional chiefs and dignitaries gathered in Ota as Baale Oluwarotimi Ahmed-Akintola celebrated his 60th birthday and retirement after 35 years of distinguished public service
Royal Fathers, Dignitaries Celebrate Baale Oluwarotimi Ahmed-Akintola at Diamond Jubilee and Retirement Party
Baale of Ishaka-Ota, Oluwarotimi Ahmed Akintola, on Sunday, July 26, 2026, celebrated his 60th birthday and retirement from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development with an elaborate ceremony that drew an array of traditional rulers, community leaders, family members, associates and dignitaries to Bezer Hall along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The white-and-gold themed event marked two defining milestones in the life of the respected traditional leader, who bowed out of the federal civil service after 35 years of distinguished service, having risen to the position of Director in the Department of Urban and Regional Development.
The celebration commenced with prayers led by the Akogun of Oruba-Ota, His Royal Highness Oba Wadud Ajani Deinde, who, on behalf of the assembled royal fathers, formally declared the event open and offered prayers for the celebrant, his family and the community.
Born in 1966 to Chief Akanbi Ahmed-Akintola and Princess Ajoke Ahmed-Akintola, the Baale hails from the renowned Fadeyi lineage of Ishaka, Ota. His father was from the Aribiti Compound in Ijana Quarters, while his mother is a direct descendant of the Ojugbele Dynasty of Iga Isalu Compound in Osi, Ota.
His educational journey began at Ansar-Ud-Deen Practising School, Ota, before proceeding to Araromi Community High School, Orita Atan, where he excelled academically. He later obtained an Advanced Level Certificate from the School of Basic Studies, Ogun State College of Education, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Regional Planning from Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, and completed a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Ibadan. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants.
His leadership qualities emerged early, serving as a school prefect at both primary and secondary levels before becoming President of his departmental students’ association at university and Chief Whip of the Ogun State Students Representative Council.
Baale Ahmed-Akintola began his public service career in the early 1990s as a Town Planning Officer II in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. Through dedication, professional competence and commitment, he steadily climbed the ranks to become Director in the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, where he provided technical leadership in urban design, housing layouts and sustainable city development.
Beyond his official responsibilities, he played key roles on several professional and administrative committees and earned a reputation as a fearless labour advocate during his tenure as Chairman of the Joint Union Council of the Ministry of Works and Housing. He was instrumental in the campaign that secured the 13th-month salary for ministry workers nationwide and, as Federal Controller in both Edo and Ogun states, championed land allocation for staff housing, leaving behind a legacy many colleagues continue to acknowledge.
His contributions have extended beyond government service into community development. Applying his expertise in urban planning to his hometown, he became widely recognised for promoting orderly physical development, infrastructure planning and resisting indiscriminate land grabbing. Those efforts earned him the chieftaincy title of Akinrogun of Ishaka-Ota in 2002 during the reign of the late Olota of Ota, Oba Alani Osanyintola Oyede.
Following the death of his uncle, Baale Olatunji Ahmed-Akintola, he was unanimously recommended by family members and traditional chiefs to succeed him and was installed as Baale of Ishaka-Ota in 2012. Since then, he has combined traditional leadership with professional expertise, earning respect for his commitment to peace, development and community service.
Outside public service, the celebrant remains active in social and community organisations, including the prestigious Iganmode Club of Ota, Ota Club and Ijamido Club.
The colourful celebration attracted some of the most prominent personalities across Awori Kingdom. Among those in attendance were Prince Femi Fadina; Chief Mrs Sadat Onimole, the Otun Iyalode of Ota; High Chief Dayo Akindele Eleku, the Lisa of Ota; High Chief Ezekiel Bamisaiye, the Aro of Ota; Chief Mrs Oluwakemi Adeniji Adeogun, the Yeyegunwa of Ota; Chief Olayiwola Deinde, the Seriki of Oruba-Ota; Engineer Abiodun Abiola, alongside several royal fathers, chiefs, Baales and distinguished guests.
The event was anchored by veteran Radio Lagos and Eko FM broadcaster Kafayat Adeola Orisile and Akewidola, while celebrated Juju musician Asiwaju Olumide Koshebinu thrilled guests with an energetic performance that kept the atmosphere lively throughout the reception.
For Baale Oluwarotimi Ahmed-Akintola, the ceremony was more than a birthday celebration. It was a fitting tribute to six decades of purposeful living, marked by professional excellence, traditional stewardship and unwavering dedication to community development, as family, friends and well-wishers celebrated a man whose legacy continues to shape both public service and his native Ishaka-Ota.
