Olatunji Ariyo
Encyclopedia
Olatunji Ariyomo is an engineer and a technology advocate variously described as one of the 'issues in Ondo State
politics' and a 'firebrand'. Popularly called 'Tunji L'ght Ariyo, he is a youthful leader and motivator in Ondo State, Nigeria. He trained as an Energy Engineering expert at the University of Sheffield (England)
and as a Civil and Structural Engineer
at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria
. Ariyo is an advocate of a technology driven economic sector
in Nigeria. He was nominated International Poet of Merit by the International Society of Poets in 1995. He won the overall best candidate prize at the Professional Examination of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 2005 and has served twice as Senior Aide to the Governor of Ondo State, Nigeria on information technology. He was the pioneer coordinator of the Ondo State Information Technology Development Centre (2005-Feb. 2009). He was so appointed by Dr. Olusegun Agagu
in 2005. He is a playwright, a poet and the author of the book “Odundun, African Legendary Monarch” one of the approved texts for secondary school education in Ondo State.
Kennedy School
of Government's Science Technology and Innovation programme (2008 batch). As a youth involved in leadership, he initiated the current scheme allowing promising youths to be trained to acquire professional certification
in India. Six young natives of Ondo State benefitted from this scheme between January and March 2009. His earlier involvement in leadership was made possible by Chief Adebayo Adefarati
. The relashionship was strained following his involvement in an unsuccessful attempt to introduce a "vibrant and politically dynamic deputy" for the latter.
The computer literacy
level of civil servants in the state was also raised via a compulsory training programme administerred upon every public officer in the state. This was done by advocating and implementing a compulsory computer training programme for civil servant in the state. With the assistance of the Head of Service, Mr. Alaba Isijola, the state service in fact adopted computer literacy as one of the compulsory requirements in the annual promotion examinations for civil servants. Also, the state of the art ICT centre (SITDEC building) commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo on 24 June 2006 which is considered one of the key accomplishments of the Olusegun Agagu
administration was built by his team.
The Open Door to ‘Industrial Attaches’ and ‘National Youth Service Corp’ members also resulted in ICT knowledge empowerment for over 370 beneficiaries between 2003 and 2008. Under Ariyomo's team, information technology drive of the government was so intense that the governor of the state Dr. Olusegun Agagu
was pronounced the ICT Governor of the Year 2007 by NITTA – a prize he shared only with Senator Mamman Bello Ali
and His Excellency Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State.
In 2006, the then Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Prof. Peter Adeniyi
described Olatunji as a living testimony to the good quality of products of the Federal University of Technology Akure
. Professor Peter Adeniyi
is the current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Ado Ekiti
.
, a graduate of Civil and Structural Engineering
(B.Eng.) from the Federal University of Technology Akure
and has been trained at the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos and the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
. He is currently a Post-graduate
(research) student of energy engineering with primary focus on renewable energy
.
Ondo State
Ondo State, Nigeria was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It originally included what is now Ekiti State, which was split off in 1996. Akure is the state capital.-Government and society:...
politics' and a 'firebrand'. Popularly called 'Tunji L'ght Ariyo, he is a youthful leader and motivator in Ondo State, Nigeria. He trained as an Energy Engineering expert at the University of Sheffield (England)
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
and as a Civil and Structural Engineer
Structural engineer
Structural engineers analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of users or occupants...
at the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria
Federal University of Technology Akure
The Federal University of Technology Akure was founded in 1981 under a drive by the government of Nigeria to create universities that specialised in producing graduates with practical as well as theoretical knowledge of technologies...
. Ariyo is an advocate of a technology driven economic sector
Economy (activity)
An economy consists of the economic system of a country or other area; the labor, capital and land resources; and the manufacturing, trade, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area...
in Nigeria. He was nominated International Poet of Merit by the International Society of Poets in 1995. He won the overall best candidate prize at the Professional Examination of the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 2005 and has served twice as Senior Aide to the Governor of Ondo State, Nigeria on information technology. He was the pioneer coordinator of the Ondo State Information Technology Development Centre (2005-Feb. 2009). He was so appointed by Dr. Olusegun Agagu
Olusegun Agagu
Olusegun Kokumo Agagu was Governor of Ondo State in Nigeria from 29 May 2003 until February 2009, when a court voided his re-election as governor on account of electoral irregularities. He was replaced as governor of Ondo State by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, his arch political rival based on a court...
in 2005. He is a playwright, a poet and the author of the book “Odundun, African Legendary Monarch” one of the approved texts for secondary school education in Ondo State.
Public life
Tunji L'ght Ariyo (written fully as Olatunji Ariyomo) is a youth icon in Nigeria and he can be described as the pioneer of electronic governance system in Ondo State. He introduced the state's e-portal www.ondostate.gov.ng, security surveillance system, computerization of processes of internally generated revenue www.ondostate-bir.com which pushed the state's Internally Generated Revenue up by over eighty six percent) and has been one of the key advocates of electronic knowledge based system in Nigeria. He was one of four Nigerians sponsored by government to participate in the Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
Kennedy School
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
of Government's Science Technology and Innovation programme (2008 batch). As a youth involved in leadership, he initiated the current scheme allowing promising youths to be trained to acquire professional certification
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
in India. Six young natives of Ondo State benefitted from this scheme between January and March 2009. His earlier involvement in leadership was made possible by Chief Adebayo Adefarati
Adebayo Adefarati
Adebayo Adefarati was a Nigerian politician and a former governor of Ondo State Nigeria.Prior to becoming Governor of Ondo State, Adebayo Adefarati was appointed twice as commissioner under the late Yoruba and Afenifere Leader Pa. Michael Adekunle Ajasin...
. The relashionship was strained following his involvement in an unsuccessful attempt to introduce a "vibrant and politically dynamic deputy" for the latter.
Effort at Reformation
Olatunji Ariyomo's team attempted to change the way things were originally done in Ondo State within a space of 5 years via the computerization of different departments of government. His team achieved modest results. Examples include the fading out of typewriters in the state civil service and the automation of tax collections and administration in the state. While the latter was popular with the then governor and the majority of citizens of the state, he nonetheless incurred the hatred and the stiff resistance of a section of the State Board of Internal Revenue whose previous ability to control funds were terminated. The unprecedented increase in the state internally generated revenue in the year 2008 is a confirmation that reforming that sector was a successful step.The computer literacy
Computer literacy
Computer literacy is defined as the knowledge and ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with a range of skills covering levels from elementary use to programming and advanced problem solving. Computer literacy can also refer to the comfort level someone has with using...
level of civil servants in the state was also raised via a compulsory training programme administerred upon every public officer in the state. This was done by advocating and implementing a compulsory computer training programme for civil servant in the state. With the assistance of the Head of Service, Mr. Alaba Isijola, the state service in fact adopted computer literacy as one of the compulsory requirements in the annual promotion examinations for civil servants. Also, the state of the art ICT centre (SITDEC building) commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo on 24 June 2006 which is considered one of the key accomplishments of the Olusegun Agagu
Olusegun Agagu
Olusegun Kokumo Agagu was Governor of Ondo State in Nigeria from 29 May 2003 until February 2009, when a court voided his re-election as governor on account of electoral irregularities. He was replaced as governor of Ondo State by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, his arch political rival based on a court...
administration was built by his team.
The Open Door to ‘Industrial Attaches’ and ‘National Youth Service Corp’ members also resulted in ICT knowledge empowerment for over 370 beneficiaries between 2003 and 2008. Under Ariyomo's team, information technology drive of the government was so intense that the governor of the state Dr. Olusegun Agagu
Olusegun Agagu
Olusegun Kokumo Agagu was Governor of Ondo State in Nigeria from 29 May 2003 until February 2009, when a court voided his re-election as governor on account of electoral irregularities. He was replaced as governor of Ondo State by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, his arch political rival based on a court...
was pronounced the ICT Governor of the Year 2007 by NITTA – a prize he shared only with Senator Mamman Bello Ali
Mamman Bello Ali
Mamman Bello Ali was Nigerian Senator for Yobe South from 1999 to 2007, and the Governor of Yobe State from 2007 up until his death. He was a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party . He was receiving medical treatment for leukemia in a Florida hospital when he died.-References:...
and His Excellency Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State.
In 2006, the then Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Prof. Peter Adeniyi
Peter Adeniyi
Professor Peter O. Adeniyi, Officer of the Order of Niger is a distinguished Nigerian academician and administrator. In 1984 he was the winner of the John I. Davidson Award donated by the International Geographic Information Foundation....
described Olatunji as a living testimony to the good quality of products of the Federal University of Technology Akure
Federal University of Technology Akure
The Federal University of Technology Akure was founded in 1981 under a drive by the government of Nigeria to create universities that specialised in producing graduates with practical as well as theoretical knowledge of technologies...
. Professor Peter Adeniyi
Peter Adeniyi
Professor Peter O. Adeniyi, Officer of the Order of Niger is a distinguished Nigerian academician and administrator. In 1984 he was the winner of the John I. Davidson Award donated by the International Geographic Information Foundation....
is the current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Ado Ekiti
University of Ado Ekiti
The University of Ado-Ekiti was established on March 30, 1982 by the administration of late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, the first civilian governor of Ondo State.The university is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities....
.
Education
Tunji is a graduate of Energy and Environmental Engineering (MSc.) from the University of Sheffield (England)University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
, a graduate of Civil and Structural Engineering
Structural engineering
Structural engineering is a field of engineering dealing with the analysis and design of structures that support or resist loads. Structural engineering is usually considered a specialty within civil engineering, but it can also be studied in its own right....
(B.Eng.) from the Federal University of Technology Akure
Federal University of Technology Akure
The Federal University of Technology Akure was founded in 1981 under a drive by the government of Nigeria to create universities that specialised in producing graduates with practical as well as theoretical knowledge of technologies...
and has been trained at the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos and the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He is currently a Post-graduate
Postgraduate education
Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor's degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of higher education...
(research) student of energy engineering with primary focus on renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
.
Awards & Honours
- Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Senate of the Federal University of Technology AkureFederal University of Technology AkureThe Federal University of Technology Akure was founded in 1981 under a drive by the government of Nigeria to create universities that specialised in producing graduates with practical as well as theoretical knowledge of technologies...
(December 2007) - Honorary member of FUTAFederal University of Technology AkureThe Federal University of Technology Akure was founded in 1981 under a drive by the government of Nigeria to create universities that specialised in producing graduates with practical as well as theoretical knowledge of technologies...
Protocol List - Excellence Service Award by the Rotary Club International, Ijapo District (2006)
- Fellow, School of Environmental Studies, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.