For many people, before last Saturday’s election in Oyo state, the name Kolawole Mohammed Balogun, popularly called Kola Balogun or MKB, might sound unfamiliar most especially among politicians outside the state.
For us, he is a one-man ‘mopo’, popular among the Ibadan lineage and one of the most trusted sons of the land. Despite that, he is also from the Olubadan ruling house and belongs to the Olubadan Ali-Iwo ruling house in Ibadanland, insideoyo.com reports.
Born on July 27th, 1956, MKB’s father, Ibrahim Ayinde Balogun of blessed memory was a cocoa produce merchant at Lalupon railway station, and the mother, Alhaja Awawu Adunni was the Iyalode “Elepo pupa” (Palm oil market men and women) of the entire Lagelu Local Government area of Ibadanland.
Kolawole Mohammed Balogun educational career took him through Ratibi Muslim Primary School, Oluyoro, Ibadan, St. Peter’s College, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and North Texas State University, Denton, Texas, USA.
He graduated with both the Bachelor of Arts (B.A) and Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Political Science.
In one of its bibliography reading via Goodreadbiography, Chief Kola said his parents taught him that hard work pays off, and “this I have lived by. Just like me, there are lots of our people with the same background, who work very hard every day, but still struggles because the playing field has been skewed seriously against them.”
“I come as an element of meaningful change with heart, and will work tirelessly for the people in making sure everyone become part of our progressive government,” he said while explaining the essence of democracy in Africa.
Kola Balogun had the vision of working with people not just uplift the state but uplift the individuals that make up the state. This is one of Kola Balogun’s promise for his home state, Oyo state and Ibadan.
Oyo State is known to be at the forefront of development blessed through the hard work of the people with good qualitative education, good health care services, flourishing industries, and great commerce.
He had one term determined to serve the state as governor but lost out but his determination push him to the present stage, Senator-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dr Balogun has over the years, worked successfully both in the private and public sectors in various capacities.
Here are some of his profile:
Kolawole Mohammed Balogun Private Sector Career:
Account Clerk, Tractor and Equipment Division of UAC, Lagos, Nigeria.
Warehouse Clerk, Food Specialties Nig. Ltd, Ilupeju, Lagos.
Chairman, Trans (Nig.) Assurance Co. Ltd. Ibadan, Oyo State.
Chief Executive, TestWide (Nig.) Ltd.
Administrator, Educational Services International, Dallas, Texas, USA
Property Manager, Sessions House Apartment Complex, Denton, Texas, USA.
Lab. Technician, Jack Eckerd Corporation, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Co-Founder, The African Voice magazine, USA.
Member, Editorial Committee, The African Voice Magazine, USA.
Research Officer, Educational Services International, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Kolawole Mohammed Balogun Political Sector Career:
Social Democratic Party Ward Delegate for Ward 1, Lagelu Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo state.
Social Democratic Party Delegate for Lagelu Local government area, Ibadan, Oyo state.
Social Democratic Party Auditor for Oyo State.
National Delegate to the 1993 Social Democratic Party National Convention.
National Secretary, Congress for National Census.
Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki’s Presidential Campaign Organization.
Commissioner for Works and Transport, Oyo State. 2006.
Commissioner for Commerce and Cooperatives, Oyo state. 2007 – 2011.
Professional Involvement and Writings
Kolawole Mohammed Balogun Publications/Research/Newspaper Article Contributions:
Special Problems of the Welfare States (Poverty, Deprivation, Homelessness, Inequality, and Social Stigma)
Democracy and Modern Civilization.
If Africa must survive (Newspaper article)
The new political season (Newspaper article)
Understanding the Role of the State in Developing Economies (Newspaper article)
Kolawole Mohammed Balogun Fellowships:
Fellow of the Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration (FCIDA).
Hobbies:
Athletics, Reading and Music.
Family:
Kolawole Mohammed Balogun is happily married with children.
