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Funmilayo Olayinka was a Nigerian politician and former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State. She was born on April 20, 1960, in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Olayinka was a woman of many firsts, as she was the first female Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and the first female to be elected as the Chairman of Ado Ekiti Local Government Area. She was a trailblazer in Nigerian politics and a role model for many women in the country.
Early Life and Education
Olayinka was born into the family of Chief and Mrs. Akinola Adeyeye in Ado Ekiti. She attended St. Louis Grammar School, Ikere Ekiti, where she obtained her West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1977. She proceeded to the Federal School of Arts and Science, Ondo, where she obtained her Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1979. Olayinka later attended the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1983.
Political Career
Olayinka started her political career as a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the early 1990s. She was appointed as the Chairman of Ado Ekiti Local Government Area in 1999, becoming the first female to hold that position. In 2006, she was appointed as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Ekiti State.
In 2010, Olayinka was chosen as the running mate to the then-governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Kayode Fayemi. They won the election and Olayinka became the first female Deputy Governor of Ekiti State. She served in that capacity until her untimely death on April 6, 2013, after a long battle with cancer.
Political Records
Funmilayo Olayinka’s political records include:
- Chairman, Ado Ekiti Local Government Area (1999-2002)
- Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ekiti State (2006-2010)
- Deputy Governor, Ekiti State (2010-2013)
Personal Life
Olayinka was married to Mr. Lanre Olayinka, a journalist and former Commissioner for Information in Ekiti State. They had four children together.
Net Worth
Funmilayo Olayinka’s net worth in different currencies are as follows:
| Currency | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| US Dollar | $1 million |
| Nigerian Naira | ₦400 million |
| Canadian Dollar | C$1.3 million |
| Ghana Cedi | GH₵5.8 million |
| Kenya Shilling | KSh107 million |
| South Africa Rand | R14 million |
| Uganda Shilling | UGX3.7 billion |
| India Rupee | INR73 crore |
It is important to note that these figures are estimates and may not be accurate.
Awards and Nominations
Olayinka received several awards and nominations during her lifetime, including:
- 2011 Zik Prize in Leadership Award for Good Governance
- 2011 Ekiti State Merit Award for Excellence in Leadership
- 2012 African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) Award for Excellence in Leadership
Funmilayo Olayinka was a remarkable woman who made significant contributions to Nigerian politics. Her legacy lives on, and she continues to inspire many women in the country.
For more information about Funmilayo Olayinka, please visit her Wikipedia page.