By Dare Akogun
As parts of activities to celebrate his 5th year coronation anniversary The Olomu of Omu-Aran, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti, prominent business tycoon and Chief Executive of SANRAB Petroleum Alhaji Abdulkareem Adekunle Sanni, as Aare Bobaselu of Omu-Aran.
A statement by the Secretary of the Aare Bobaselu Planning Committee, Mr. Demola Olarewaju, announced that the decision to honor Alhaji Sanni was conveyed in a letter to him, by the Olomu and the Council of Chief in recognition of his contributions towards the growth and development of the Omu-Aran community.
Expressing his delight and humility, Alhaji Sanni stated that the news of his chieftaincy title came as a surprise.
He said he was honored and humbled by the recognition from his community, thus promptly conveying his acceptance to the Olomu in Council.
In the spirit of celebration, Alhaji Sanni also extended an open invitation to friends, relatives, and well-wishers, urging them to honour him with their presence and add glamour to the event.
The chieftaincy conferment ceremony will take place on the 29th of December 2023, at the football field of Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran, from ten o’clock in the morning, after which guests will be entertained at the Olomu’s palace in Omu Aran.
The Man Alhaji Abdulkareem Adekunle Sanni
EARLY LIFE
The man we have all assemble to honour today, Aare Alhaji Abdulkareem Adekunle Akande Sanni, is a man of many parts.
He is a highly versatile and amiable gentleman, a true and devoted Muslim, loving father, caring husband, reliable friend, a man that is as constant as the northern star, a detribalized Nigerian, academic and administrator, incurable optimist, an accomplished businessman, a pioneer in petrol dealership, a humanitarian and philanthropist who has dedicated his life to the service of his community and to the less endowed, and a very passionate advocate of community development.
Alhaji Abdulkareem Adekunle Akande Sanni was born into the family of Late Mallam Sanni Adefila Dada Bida ( Sanni Bida) of Ilaro compound , Omu Aran and Hajia Rabiat Olabowale Asabi Sanni also of blessed memory in the year 1949 in Gwanara, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara state.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Young Karimu (as he was fondly called) started his educational career in 1956 at the Arabic School in Shaki, Oyo State. From there, he enrolled at the Local Authority Primary School, Isale Taba, Shaki, from 1957 to 1962. However, in July 1961, a year before he completed his primary education, he lost his illustrious and caring father (May Allah forgive him and admit him into the loftiest palaces of Jannah. Amin).
Upon completing his primary education, he gained admission to the famous Baptist Boys High School, Oyo otherwise known as Olivet Heights. Unfortunately as an orphan who had just lost his father, his dream was truncated by lack of sponsorship, forcing him to forfeit the admission.
However, determined to weather the storm and succeed in life, he did not allow the vicissitudes of fate to deter him from pursuing his goals. In 1963, though young, and relatively naive, he ventured into business of buying and selling of raw food materials. A boy with the Midas touch, heaven smiled on him and his business flourished to the extent that he built his first house located at Sango Area in the heart of Shaki two years later at a tender age of 16.
As an ambitious young man determined to develop himself through the acquisition of Western Education, Kunle took an uncommon and bold step by enrolling at the Baptist High School, Shaki, temporarily setting aside his business despite its huge success. In 1972, he completed his secondary education with distinctions.
Between 1973 and 1974, Kunle worked with the Norspin Textiles, Kaduna, before proceeding to the then Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin, for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) from 1974 to 1976. He also had a brief romance with teaching Economics and Mathematics at the C&S College, Ilorin, between April, 1976 and September, 1977.
His academic brilliance coupled with his shrewd determination to succeed in spite of the hurdles earned him admission into four different universities across the north and south of the country. These include, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), and Bayero University, Kano (BUK). He, however, chose BUK owing to the advice and influence of his intimate friend, Prince Ajiboye Durotoye of blessed memory who at the time was a student of the institution.
This great feat afforded the brilliant Kunle Sanni the opportunity of an automatic scholarship award which he enjoyed throughout his studentship at the Bayero University, Kano. Coincidentally, an indigene of Omu-Aran, Chief Sir SAB Atolagbe, the Enija of Omu-Aran was the Secretary of the Kwara State Scholarship Board at the time.
In June 1980, as a testament to his brilliance and industriousness, Kunle Sanni graduated from the Bayero University, Kano, and was awarded BSc. (Hons.) degree with Second Class (Upper Division) in Economics. Upon graduation, he was mobilized for the mandatory National Youth Service, and he was posted to Ogun State, where he served at Alamuwa Grammar School, Ado-Odo from 1980 to 1981.
WORK EXPERIENCE
As stated earlier, Alhaji Abdul Kareem Adekunle Akande Sanni worked briefly at both the Norspin Textiles, Kaduna, and C&S College, Ilorin. Immediately after his NYSC, he was employed by the Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin, as Assistant Lecturer. A similar position had earlier been offered to him by two universities outside Kwara State which he turned down.
Barely three months of his resumption of duties at Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin, Alhaji Abdulkareem Adekunle Akande Sanni was offered another appointment by the Kwara State Civil Service Commission where he served the State in various capacities at different Ministries and Departments until his retirement in November of 2000.
He served at the following Ministries: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Finance (Pension and Audit department), Local Government, Commerce and Industries, as well as DFFRI and Kwara State Primary Education Board (SPEB), before he left the service to resume his already blossoming business.
In the year 2003, in recognition of his sterling and distinguished administrative career, former Governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki appointed him as the Chairman of the Panel of Inquiry investigating the Kwara State Primary Education Board (SPEB). Marveled by the dexterity and thoroughness of the report by the Panel, Governor Bukola Saraki gave an Executive Order recalling Alhaji Abdul Kareem Adekunle Akande Sanni back to the services of the Kwara State Government. He, however, respectfully turned down to his offer, as he preferred to remain and develop his private business outfits.
BUSINESS LIFE
After his retirement from civil service, Alhaji Abdulkareem Adekunle Akande Sanni returned to continue with the expansion and management of his hitherto abandoned businesses.
To the glory of Almighty Allah, the business empire has been so blessed to the level of what we can see and witness in the contribution of the SANRAB Group of Companies to the economic development of our dear Nation today, particularly in the areas of Oil and Gas, as well as Real Estate Development.
Community And RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Alhaji AbdulKareem Adekunle Akande Sanni, aka SANRAB, as one of the foundation members of the Aperan Harmony Club of Omu-Aran and by extension, a committed and staunch member and pillar of support for the OmuAran Development Association ODA, has contributed (and still contributing) immensely to the socioeconomic development of his dear community, OmuAran.
On the phase of religion, the history of modern development of Islam in OmuAran community cannot be complete without the mention of the philanthropic gestures of Alhaji Abdulkareem Adekunle Akande Sanni. Of particular note are his roles towards the acquisition of parcels of land and construction of a befitting Muslim cemetery in Omu-Aran.
On the ongoing remodeling of the Omu-Aran Central Mosque, the moral and financial contributions of Alhaji Abdulkareem Adekunle Akande Sanni cannot be overemphasized. He is also a strong pillar of support for the Omu-Aran Muslim Community in Ilorin.
To cap his modest contributions and services to the religion, Alhaji AbdulKareem Adekunle Akande Sanni built a world-class Mosque and Islamic Centre named after his late brother, Alhaji Yahya Olusola Sanni (may Allah be pleased with him) along the University of Ilorin Road, Tanke-Ilorin.
The famous white mosque which lies on the left side of the road to the better by far university is renowned for its illustrious contributions to Islamic knowledge in terms of the quality of its Friday sermon, memorization of the Qur’an and other Islamic sciences, as well as weekend lectures and classes for both the old and young. No doubt Alhaji AbdulKareem Adekunle Akande Sanni has carved a niche for himself and has his name inscribed boldly on the sand of time.
FAMILY LIFE
Alhamdulillah, Alhaji Abdulkareem Adekunle Akande Sanni, the Chairman and Managing Director of SANRAB Group of Companies is happily married to Alhaja Wulemat Bola Sanni and the union is blessed with four wonderful children and five amiable grand children
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in giving three happy cheers to the honoree of today who is being conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Aare Bobaselu of Omu-Aran Land.
