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Late Otunba Olutade Olaitan Abdul Mojeed Folorunsho Ismail, was born on November 22, 1938 in Ijebu Imushin in Ogun state. He was the fourth of 8 boys of his mother Alhaja Simbiat Jolaade Ismail, his rock and angel until her death in June of 1991.His father was Ismail Disu (popularly referred to as Aroworopo of Ijebu Imushin). He died when Otunba was 13, at the age of 50 years old.
Otunba attended the Moslem school Ijebu Imushin between 1946 and 1954 from where he proceeded, on a scholarship, to the Ijebu Muslim College Ijebu-Ode. He finished his senior year at the Muslim College with distinctions and proceeded to study Estate Management between 1960 and 1963, at the University of Nsukka, in the then Anambra State, on scholarship.
While at the University of Nsukka, the Lecturers in the Estate management were transferred to the Uk on sabbatical and as such the entire Department also transferred including Otunba to the College of Estate Management, University of London. He studied there between 1964 and 1966.
He began his career with the Greater London council as a valuer and after two years, in 1968 he moved back to Nigeria to join the Ministry of Lands and Housing in the then western region in Ibadan. He had a brief stint with the housing corporation, in Ibadan, as an executive estate officer, before finally settling into corporate world by joining Knight Frank and Rutley, an international firm of Estate Surveyors and valuers. He thereafter worked with the United Bank for Africa Limited, where he set up the property department and left as head of the same department. He started his own firm of chartered Estate Surveyors, Messers Ismail and Partners, in September 1976, where he remained active until his sudden passing away.
Otunba enjoyed playing chess and participating in debates on philosophical issues. He was also passionate about politics commencing as the speaker of the students assembly while he was in the university. He later on campaigned and was elected as a representative of Ijebu East in the Ogun state house of assembly under the second republic. Otunba was an active member of the Ogun State Elders Forum
He was a founder and board member of Ragolis waters, and Chairman Board of Directors ABB Nigeria Limited. He was Past President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), he was also a former Deputy World President of the International Federation of real estate (FIABCI). He served on several committees and advisory boards within his professional body, the Ogun state and Ijebu communities as well as Muslim community, until his death he was Chairman Ogun State Muslim Council Ijebu division. He was a member of the metropolitan club, Yoruba tennis club, Island club, Ikoyi club, the international Rotary club, Good will club, Hope family and a part of the great Bobayo of Ijebu land.
Otunba travelled a lot, he enjoyed learning about other cultures and generally encouraged those around him to do the same.
He was given the title Otunba Onilatan of Okepo by Late Oba David Jaiyeola, The then Oloko of Ijebu Imushin in 1982.
He married Titilola Odutayo on July 5, 1969. Otunba Tade Ismail had 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls, Gbenga, Rotimi, Sola, Toyin and Seun and 4 grandchildren.
Otunba died very peacefully at his home in Adeniyi Jones on October 20, 2008 at the age of 69 years 11months. Exactly a month to his 70th birthday on November 22.
He will be greatly missed.
The firm is now managed by Olugbenga Ismail MRICS
and Babafemi Ismail ANIVS. Who continue to serve the clients based on it founding principles. |
