FAMILY BACKGROUND
Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna (Alaofin II), the new and the ninth Olu of Ayegunle Gbede was born on 1st of September, 1965 into the family of Alhaji Haruna Oniayekan Abubakar and Late Mrs. Memunat Mebatonije Abu Ebisemi Molodu of Agoh Quarters and Esseh Quarters respectively in Ayegunle Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is happily married to Mrs. Taiwo Lateef, daughter of Pa Ezekiel Olorunmaye of Agringbon Quarters, Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Oba (Hon.) Lateef is a grandson of the late Abubakar Ikujemiya Alaofin of Agoh Quarters, Ayegunle Gbede.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna attended Ansaru-Islam Primary School, Ayegunle Gbede, Kogi State between 1973 and 1978 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in the year 1978. He went to Baptist Secondary Commercial School, Iyah Gbede, Kogi State between 1978 and 1983 where he acquired his Senior Secondary School Certificate (WAEC) in the year 1983. Oba (Hon.) Lateef proceeded to Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria between 2006 and 2007 where he earned a Diploma in Public Administration (Upper Credit Division) in the year 2007.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna worked with the Ilorin Local Government Area Council, Kwara State as a Revenue Officer between 1984 and 1987. He was the Graphics Artist & Draftsman from 1987 to 1990 at Ola Anobi Graphics Art, Ilorin, Kwara State. Oba (Hon.) Haruna left Kwara State for Ayegunle Gbede to serve his people at the grassroots level. He contested for the position of Councilor for Ayegunle/Iluhafon Ward under the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1991 and won, defeating the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Following his victory, Oba (Hon.) Haruna represented the people of Ayegunle/Iluhafon at the Ijumu Local Government Area Legislative Council, Kogi State from 1991 to 1993. He was involved in farming and agricultural businesses between 1993 and 2009 before being appointed as Senior Special Assistant on Legislative Matters by the late Hon. Joseph Adeyemi Owotogbe, the former Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area Council, Kogi State, Nigeria. After a brief cabinet reshuffle at the Council in 2010, Oba (Hon.) Haruna was re-appointed as Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Women Empowerment under the same administration until the year 2011. He was appointed as Supervisory Councilor for Budget and Planning by Hon. (Dr.) Remi Odutola, the former Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area Council, Kogi State in the 2013. He held the office until the year 2015.
POLITICAL ACTIVISM
Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna is an experienced politician, political strategist, and grassroots mobilizer. He has been instrumental in the political successes of many politicians in Kogi State, including Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) and Capt. Idris Ichala Wada, both former Governors of Kogi State; Senator Smart Adeyemi and Senator Daniel Dino Melaye, both former Senators representing Kogi West Senatorial District; Hon. Tajudeen Ayo Yusuf and Hon. Samuel Abiodun Ojo, both former Members representing Kabba-Bunu / Ijumu Federal Constituency, Kogi State; the late Hon. Joseph Adeyemi Owotogbe and Hon. (Dr.) Remi Odutola, both former Chairmen of Ijumu Local Government Area Council; Hon. S. K Adekunle; and Hon. Victor Adewale Obafaiye, former Members of the Kogi State House of Assembly. Most recently, he has been instrumental in the success of Hon. (Arch.) Salman Idris, current Member of the House of Representatives representing Kabba-Bunu / Ijumu Federal Constituency, Kogi State and others.
BUSINESS LIFE
Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna is a dedicated businessman involved in farming and agricultural businesses immediately after his service at the Ijumu Local Government Area Legislative Council in the year 1993. He is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HarLat Guest House, Ayegunle Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna is a community developer, sociable individual and popular figure. He has contributed immensely to the growth, progress, and development of Ayegunle Gbede, Gbede Land, Ijumu Kingdom, Okun Nation and Kogi State. Oba (Hon.) Haruna is an active member of Ayegunle Gbede Descendants Union and Ohon Peoples’ Foundation, socio-cultural and non-governmental organization respectively both in Ayegunle Gbede, Kogi State. He is currently Gbede District Coordinator, Ijumu Unity Group, Kogi State. He was once the President of the Agoh Youth Association, Ayegunle Gbede, Kogi State.
MERITORIOUS AWARDS
Due to his selfless efforts towards the growth, progress, and development of the Ayegunle Gbede community in particular and Ijumu Kingdom in general, Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna has received some awards from recognized unions in the kingdom. On the 29th of December, 2013, Ijumu Students’ Union under the leadership of Comrade Alabi Olabode Thomas honored him with a special award as “Symbol of Hope” for his contribution to the development of the Ijumu Students’ Union. Additionally, he received an award of excellence from Ayegunle Gbede Descendants Union, Lokoja Branch in recognition of his selfless service to the Ayegunle Gbede community on the 25th of November, 2017.
SPECIAL SKILLS & HOBBIES
Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna possesses sound transferable and digital skills such as communication skill, speech writing, leadership skill, public speaking, interpersonal relationships, social media knowledge, and time management skill. He also has working knowledge of Microsoft Word. Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna is a multi-talented individual who enjoys conducting basic research and reading books especially storybooks. He has a passion for community work, politics and traveling.
ASSUMPTION OF THE OLU OF AYEGUNLE GBEDE THRONE
His Royal Highness, Oba (Hon.) Lateef Folorunsho Haruna (Alaofin II) was installed as the new and the ninth Olu of Ayegunle Gbede on the 21st of May, 2024. This significant event was facilitated by the Ayegunle Gbede Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs via Kingmakers and solidified through the presentation of the staff of office and the letter of appointment by the Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, Oba Williams Ayeni with the support of the Caretaker Chairman of Ijumu Local Government Area Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Haruna (DStv) on behalf of the Government of Kogi State marking a new chapter in the rich history of the Ayegunle Gbede community.
