ABA: A HEART OF GOLD
THE PROFILE OF HON (PRINCE) ABAYOMI BABATUNDE AKINRUNTAN
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. Leadership is not about a title or a designation. A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way
- James Humes.
This is the story of Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan, a Prince of of the Oil-rich Ugbo land in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State who has combined royalty with philanthropy to catch a Niche for himself through his efforts to build a better society and inspire a legion of young people through exemplary Leadership.
Born to the Royal Family of Oba Akinruntan Obateru CON the Reigning Olugbo and Paramount Ruler of of Ugbo Kingdom, on October 21, 1973, Prince Abayomi ABA was a kid who had his eyes set on Educational heights right from childhood. With his father’s business firmly rooted in Ibadan, Oyo State in the seventies and eighties, the young Prince had his primary and secondary education in Ibadan.
He started at the Sacred Heart Nursery/Primary School and Command Secondary School, both in Ibadan, before embarking on a pursuit of academic knowledge which has taken him through the towers of about five tertiary institutions and still not done. Artistically inclined, he started at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, where read Art and Design and bagged a National Diploma in 1995.
Beside other Educational and Technical Qualifications obtained from home and abroad, Prince Abayomi holds an LL.B {Hons} in Law from the former Ogun State University (Now Olabisi Onabanjo University) Ago Iwoye. He has successfully completed several professional programs within & outside Nigeria
He was quick to become business-oriented like his father and the first pot of call was in the successful family business. He became a pioneer Management Officer of Obat ultra modern storage facility, the largest in Nigeria and third largest in Africa, situated in Apapa, Lagos State.
Since 1992, Prince Akinruntan has been actively involved in the private sector. After being an Industrial Trainee at Heinemann Educational Books Limited, Ibadan in 1992, he has been actively involved in the day-to-day operations of Obat Oil and Petroleum Limited, one of Nigeria’s major indigenous Oil Companies. Nine years after his apprenticeship as a trainee, 2001 precisely, he became the Operations Manager of Obat Oil, overseeing the operations and logistics at the company’s Head Office and Service Outlets in Ibadan.
By February 2003, Prince ABA rose to the post of Obat Oil and Petroleum Limited’s Director of Operations, as a result of hard work, having successfully brought the company’s operations in the oil sector to Olympian heights. As a Director and one of the Shareholders of Obat Oil and Petroleum Limited including its subsidiaries and sister companies such as Eko Oil Ltd., Theo Oil Ltd, Obat Refinery and Febson Hotels Nigeria Ltd. Prince Akinruntan has vast experience in the Nigerian Oil industry.
He has since not rested on his oars. He has participated in a number of training and professional courses both within and outside the country. Chiefly amongst are the Port Facility Security Officers’ (PFSO) Course and ISPS Code Compliance Training Course in United Kingdom, seminars and conferences for managers and administrators as well as executives in Nigeria. He is currently the PFSO overseeing Obat port facilities.
In 2006, Prince Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan was appointed as the Director, Operations for Febson Hotel Nigeria Ltd, an Ultra-Modern Facility in Abuja showcasing a Hospitality Industry, Shopping Mall with State -of –the- Art Gym and Obat Filling Outlets. He is a multitalented young entrepreneur with craves for systematic innovations. What endears him most to his admirers is his divested experience in hospitality and tourism.
Prince Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan has represented the company in many fronts, including the supervision of the company’s expansion programme in different parts of Nigeria, involved in business negotiations and acquiring of tankers of various tonnage to enhance speedy distribution of petroleum products in and outside the country. This singular task has taken him to many countries, including UAE and Greece. He has also been fully involved in the realization of the Obat refinery project. As a result of demand pull, he visited Tunisia (African Development Bank) and met with IFC and AFC members.
Apart from being an employee of Obat Group of Companies, his interests for business led to his investment into other business outfits which he heads. Those firms include; Princeaando Nigeria Limited (Oil and Gas), Bellefull Intergrated Resources Limited (Fishery Company) Aando Apartments (Hotels and Towers), De Ark Entertainment and Records. In 2011, he was appointed Group Executive Director, Operations, Obat Group before he retired for active politics in Ondo State.
Prince Akinruntan is one of the few Nigerians who believe in assisting the public and the less privileged in particular and see it as an exciting obligation. His love for the society gave birth to the establishment of The ABA Foundation.
ABA Foundation is a Non-Governmental and Charitable Organization incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria. It is a pet project of Prince Abayomi Akinruntan and his friends geared towards tangible amelioration of the economic, social and cultural burdens of the people of Ondo State in particular and Nigeria in general. The Foundation seeks to get appreciably involved in the capital and human resource development of the less privileged in our society through the provisions of educational, credit and social facilities.
The Objectives of ABA Foundation include:
· To make Education Accessible through Capacity Building
· To raise awareness on Girl Child and Women issues
· To inculcate values of Honesty, Hard work, Integrity, Discipline and Patriotism in the Youths.
· To provide avenues for Self Actualization of the under privileged.
· To Educate the Community on Health related issues.
· To mentor Youths on personal and skills development so as to improve their quality of life.
· To assist in curbing vices such as Human Trafficking and Prostitution amongst Women.
· To develop and administer enlightenment mediums on the activities of the Foundation and other humanitarian reliefs and other efforts.
· To affiliate or co-operate with any other Foundation(s) within or outside the country Nigeria, having similar aims and objectives with the Foundation.
Through the foundation, Prince Abayomi had impacted positively to his Federal Constituency (Ilaje/Ese-Odo Local Government) and Nigeria with the following programmes;
- SENSITIZATION of Okada Riders and NURTW for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency
- The event witnessed by representatives of FRSC and the distribution of Helmets and C-caution to Okada riders 500 beneficiaries and NURTW 200 beneficiaries.
- EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
- Primary and Secondary schools in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency were given textbooks, Note Books, School Bags, Mathematical Sets, etc.
- SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR STUDENTS
- In 2012 till date over 500 students have benefited from this scheme and their WASSCE through ABA Foundation in Ilaje/Ese-odo Federal Constituency were paid for.
- ABA FOUNDATION MICRO FINANCE SCHEME
- 200 Women in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency benefited from the foundation Micro finance support individually and in various trade groups.
- SKILLS ACQUISITION PROGRAMME 2013/2014
- In 2013, the foundation trained and certified 100 youths across Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in Tailoring, Hair dressing, Welding and Fabrication, Alumaco work, etc.
- ARTISIAN SUPPORT SCHEME
- The foundation purchased fishing nets and bows for Coastal Fishermen and Traders in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.
- FOUNDATION YEARLY ANNIVERSARY
- Children Christmas Party and Graduation of ABA Foundation Trainees for skills acquisition across Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency comes up every December.
- SKILLS ACQUISITION PROGRAMME 2015/2016
- In December 2015, the foundation engaged 250 youths across Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency for skills acquisitions 2015/2016 edition.
- VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHEME (APRIL 2016)
- Over 60 residents in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency were trained on how to produce Liquid Soap, Perfume, Deodorant, Insecticide, Dettol etc by ABA Foundation.
- WIDOWS EMPOWERMENT (JULY 2016)
- The Foundation gave out relieves materials and financial support to 105 widows in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.
- ORPHANAGE SUPPORT
- The Foundation visits Akure Motherless Baby Home and pledged her monthly support. This aside other support being made in the LAGOS Children Emergence and ORPHANAGE HOME across the Country.
- HEALTH PROGRAMME
- Recently, the Foundation has make moves to partner NHIS for Ilaje Community Mutual Health Scheme with over 3,000 beneficiaries.
His delights for political aspirations came to limelight in 2011 during the General Elections in which he was one of the strongest contesting Federal Legislative Aspirants under the platform of the then Labour Party (LP). Immediately after the election, Prince Akinruntan was appointed as the Pioneer Coordinator for Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). He remained focused and enjoyed supports from the constituency for the House of Representatives by-Election in 2014 which was also ceded to the other constituency by the party leadership for the purpose of equity and fairness in Ilaje Local Government Area.
Prince Abayomi’s massive constituency support later earned him the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket as candidate for the State House of Assembly election in 2015- Till date which he won with a wide margin & the candidate of APC 2023 election
Hon. (Prince) Abayomi Akinruntan as a Member of the Ondo State House of Assembly has been Chairman, House Committee on OSOPADEC; Vice Chairman House Committee on Sport/Youth and Information; Member, Member House Committee on Judiciary and Public Petition; Vice Chairman House Committee on Petroleum and Environment,Member, House Committee on Tender. Member House Committee on Public Accounts amoungst others. He is the Parilmentary Secetary of the 9th Assembly.
Being a participatory and effective lawmaker, he contributed to deliberations and successful passage of Bills listed below;
- A law to provide for the establishment, operations and functions of the Orange FM station and for other matters incidental thereto or connected therewith. As a Committee Member.
- A law to establish the Ondo State Agency for Road Maintenance and Construction and provide for its operation, structure and for other purposes connected therewith. Committee Chaired by Hon ABA being a formidable agency today in the State.
- A law to provide appropriate punishment for the act of Kidnapping and Abduction in Ondo State; matters related and incidental thereto. As a Committee Member
Prince Abayomi has, in appreciation of his kind gestures, bagged awards from organizations and individuals which include;
- Icons of Progress (ILAJE MERIT AWARD)
- Ondo State Movement For Development Merit Award As Youth Ambassador
- Award of Excellence a Role Model & Choir Patron (C.C.C) Akure Chapter
- Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria (FIIAN)
- National Award for Industrial and Business Development (NAIBD) Certificate of Honor for Accountability and Transparency (CHAT)
- Patron Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria
- Award of Excellence in Recognition of Support & Selfless Services toward Growth & Development of Humanity in Ilaje Nation.
- Merit Award on Social and Youth Development by Nigerian Sociology & Anthropology Student of Ekiti State University.
- Award of Excellence by National Association of Ilaje Students, Adekunle Ajasin University.
- Member Order of (Ilaje) Nation (MOI) by National association of Ilaje Students (NAIS) FUTA Chapter.
- Award of Excellence in Recognition of Support and selfless Services towards Growth and Development of Humanity in the entire Ilaje Nation by (NAIS) OAU Chapter.
- Award of Excellence in leadership in recognition others by Rotary Club of Ilorin District 9125, Nigerian.
- Award of Excellence tagged Icon of Youth Empowerment by Niger Delta Youth Council (National Body)
- Merit Award as the Most Student Friendly Parliamentarian by Students’ Representatives Council, FUTA Chapter.
- Award of Integrity, 2010 by Anti-Corruption Awareness Organization of Nigeria. (ACAON)
- Service of Humanity Award by Rotary Club of Akure District 9125, Nigerian.
- Award of Excellent Service in Humanity by International Association of Lions Club District 404A1, Nigeria Akure Sunshine Lions Club
- Platinum Member, Nigerian Red Cross Society Ondo State branch. 2016
- Humanitarian Service Excellence Award by Trace News Magazine 2016
- Award of Philanthropist Per Excellence by National Association of Ilaje Students 2016
- Award of Hounour as the Best Representative at the level of Empowerment by CLO, Akure South LGA 2015/2016
- Award of most Hospitable Legislator of the year by Igbo Political Platform 2016
- Award as Ondo State Legislator of the Year 2016 by Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ondo State Council 2016
His leadership qualities have also earned him positions like: - Chairman, the Paradise Hospitality Group (PAHMA)
- Member IBB Golf Club, Maitama, Abuja.
- Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan Foundation- ABA (A National Philanthropic Organization that is making waves)
- Associate Member, Institute of Chartered Management Accountants (ICMA)
- Member, Institute of Personnel Management
- Member, Civil Society Component of EFCC, Abuja.
- Youth Ambassador for Peace and Member of Universal Peace Federation and Youth Federation for World Peace.
- Member, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN)
- Alumnus, OlabisiOnabanjo University, Ogun State.
- Member, Ilaje Youth Peace Forum
- Electoral Officer of Law Students Association (LAWSA), OOU, 1994.
- Member of Law Students Association (LAWSA) OOU, Ogun State. 1992-1994
- Member of Civil Society Component of EFCC, Abuja.
Hon (Prince) Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan is widely travelled and married with lovely children.
