Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in a flashback.
Who is this Man Rauf Aregbesola?
The Birth of a Leader
The fruit of the womb is a free gift from God that he gives to people as He pleases. One of the beneficiaries of this free gift was the family of Late Pa Rufai Ali Aregbesola and Alhaja Saratu Aregbesola of Ogbon-Arogbo area in the ancient city of Ilesha.
To this family, who were then resident in Ikare Akoko in Ondo state, a child was born in 1957 and to be precise on the 25th day of May. He was Rauf Adesoji. However, little did this family know that destiny has a unique role for this new born baby boy in the nation’s political experiment.
The school bell tolled on little Rauf when he was about age seven. He had his primary education between 1964 and 1969 at St. Gregory Primary School, Ikare-Akoko in Ondo state after which he was enrolled at Manuwa Memorial Grammar School at lju-Odo near Okitipupa, Ondo state for his secondary education having joined his older half-sibling and mentor — Jimi Aregbesola.
Rauf and his brother was later moved from Manuwa Memorial Grammar School and enrol them at Akoko African Grammar School in Arigidi Akoko, a rather short distance from Ikare. He was a science student at the school and achieved prominence which he had worked for and deserved. A reliable source revealed that, on attaining the senior class in high school, he used to Show empathy and soft spots for the junior students who were often subjected to harsh Punishment and exploitation.
Without mincing words, Rauf could be said to be a moral leader of some sorts and this probably reflects the kind of Upbringing he had received. Rauf had a very solid academic foundation and was reputed to have been active in literary and debating activities while in school He sat for his West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) and flew in bright colours of course with Division One.
Upon the completion of his secondary school education, Rauf had a break for one academic year to teach a….
To be continued.
