Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Christianah Afuye, is indisputably one of the few ebullient politicians that exist in Ekiti State that are offering the womenfolk a hope and facelift in governance. Using any balanced scorecard, she is an all-round personality with gravitas to handle any political and administrative issue, no matter how stroppy and inflammable. Her shrewdness and ingenuity in the game accounted for why she was unanimously adopted by party leaders to navigate the bumpy political path with her principal, Hon Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for the 2022 governorship election on the platform of the ruling all Progressives Congress. Putting it succinctly, her life typifies that of steady movement from a humble beginning to a meteoric rise to grace.
Profile:
Mrs Afuye was born on the 28th of September, 1958 into the Royal and Noble family of Late Prince Noah Afeni Adegboye (The father of the late Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye, Akaiyejo II, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti (OON). Her mother is Queen Esther Adegboye. Her Maternal Grandfather, High Chief (Pa) Adeyeri was a Chief of the Ogoga In Council and third in command to the Monarch.
Educational Background:
She attended Saint Joseph’s CAC Primary School Aramoko Ekiti for her Primary School between 1966 and 1971.She was educated at Amoye Grammar School Ikere Ekiti between 1973 and 1978 and obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC).She also attended the School of Catering in Ikeja Lagos between 1977 and 1979.She schooled at the Technical College Otun Ekiti and obtained City & Guilds in Catering in 1982. She went to Crown Polytechnic Ado Ekiti for OND and HND in Public Administration in 2014 and 2020 respectively.
Public Service Career Path:
She started her career in life as a Clerical Assistant at the Accounts Department of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Ikeja, Lagos State where she worked between 1977 and 1979 under the leadership of NAF Commander Ogunmiloro, a native of Ikere Ekiti who saddled her with the responsibility of raising and preparing vouchers for the payment of NAF Officers’ salaries.2.She left NAF Base Ikeja, Lagos for College Of Education, Ikere Ekiti where she worked as the Catering Supervisor at the Cafeteria between 1979 and 1985. Her responsibilities included making sure the best and quality food was prepared by the cooks, served by the waiters to the students while supervising them and making sure the Cooks and Waiters (Male and Female) were at their best all the time.
Her Excellency was installed as Chief Okinlua, the traditional leader of all the Princesses in the Ikere kingdom in 2013.
Flourishing Business Life:
Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye decided to set up her own Catering Outlet ‘Demolad Catering Services’ at the Center of the town, Garage, Ikere Ekiti when the then Administration of Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua phased out boarding facilities in the then Ondo State.
Foray into Politics and Enigmatic Rise to Stardom:
While still in the business of Catering Services, she was encouraged to join partisan politics in the year 2006 when the trio of His Excellency Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua (now Late), Leader Folarin Oluyede and Chief Bimbo Ogundipe invited her to Late Evangelist Olumilua’s residence at Oke Osun in Ikere Ekiti to make her Ikere Local Government Women Leader of ACN. This was during the first term struggle of His Excellency Governor John Kayode Fayemi (Ilufemiloye1).
After the emergence of our amiable Governor His Excellency Dr John Kayode Fayemi the (Ilufemiloye 1), she was appointed as the Supervisor for Health at Ikere Local Government in 2011. She was appointed as interim Ekiti State Women Leader of APC in 2014. Member National Delegate, APC in 2014. After six months at the party secretariat in Ado Ekiti Office, she was redeployed back to the Local Government as SA Intergovernmental Affairs at Ikere Local Government. On His Excellency Governor John Kayode Fayemi’s second coming struggle. She was a member of the Committee, under the leadership of the Late Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, saddled with the responsibility to garner support in the 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti State for the actualisation of His Excellency John Kayode Fayemi’s second coming bid. Preparatory to the election
that brought in His Excellency Governor JKF (Ilufemiloye1) for the second term, she was appointed as the Ekiti State Women Leader for the APC party . She was a Member of the Governing Council at the then College of Education, which has now metamorphosed into Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti. She spent three years in the State Exco as the State Women Leader, She returned unopposed in another fresh election. While waiting to be inaugurated as the Women Leader, the golden opportunity to run as the Deputy Governorship to Hon. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the Governorship Candidate was deservedly given to her.
Family Life:
She is married to Mr. Lawrence Aderemi Afuye, a retired seasoned Sales Representative in one of the foremost Pharmaceutical Companies in Nigeria and blessed with grown up children that are doing very well in their respective chosen careers.
Leadership Style and Philosophy:
Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye always brings a distinct leadership style to the table. She possesses a unique blend of empathy, intuition, and adaptability that enables her to connect with her team on a deeper level. Her inclusive leadership style fosters collaboration, encourages diverse perspectives, and ensures that everyone’s voice is heard. By creating a safe and inclusive environment, Chief Okinlua empowers her team to unleash their full potential.At the core of every successful women leader lies a philosophy driven by a strong set of values. Her Excellency, Monisade Afuye is a No-NONSENSE WOMAN who believes in the power of authenticity and transparency. No doubt, this is a trait genetically wired in her through her disciplinarian father, Prince Noah Adegboye. She is an exemplary leader who sets high standards. She appreciates the fact that integrity and trust are the bedrock of any society. By aligning her actions with her values, she inspires trust and loyalty among her followers.
Impressive Exploits as Deputy Governor:
The office of the Deputy Governor was a creation of the constitution. It was saddled with the onerous responsibilities of playing complementary and landmark roles to the office of the Governor for smooth running of government. In actions and deeds, Chief (Mrs) Monisade, as a rabid team player has not reneged on this constitutional stipulation. She has perceived herself as more of a loyal lieutenant, rather than an alter ego to Governor Biodun Oyebanji.Some of the complementary achievements recorded by the office in one year include:- Presentation of staff and instrument of office to Onifaki of Ifaki Ekiti, Oba Adegbenro Falore.- Presentation of staff and instrument of office to Onikoyi of Ikoyi Ekiti,Oba Michael Ogundana.- Settlement of intra communal dispute and restoration of exiled Obasaoye of Isaoye Ekiti,Oba Olajide Gabriel back to the throne.- Resolution of Omuo/Ahan Ayegunle Ekiti chieftaincy tussle.-Settlement of Ilasa/Alu ( kogi state) land dispute.- Resolution of Asin Ekiti chieftaincy crisis.- Distribution of palliatives to 7,000 victims of rainstorm.- Presentation of N24m cheques to 105 victims of turnado at Oke- Ako Ekiti.- Resolution of Olupole/Fayeba’s family chieftaincy/land dispute in Ipole Ekiti. – Presentation of computer laptops to female students under Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE).- Empowerment of 120 less privileged with N5,000 monthly stipend.- Empowerment of 72 less privileged women politicians with N20,000 monthly stipend.Her Excellency also successfully mediated in land and chieftaincy tussles in the following towns:-Ipoti/Ejiyan/Owatedo land dispute.-Onimesi/Olokun supremacy battle.-Olomuo Oke/Ahinda chieftaincy cum factional crisis.-Otun/Aaye Oja Land crisis.-Ise/Orun/Emure land dispute.-Ogoga/Odofin Chieftaincy row and Ogoga/Agbaakin family land dispute.-Alahun of Ahun Salary crisis, among others.
Awards and Recognitions:
Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye as a women leader of note and deputy governor of Ekiti State has been garlanded with many awards, honours, and recognitions. Some of them include: Rotary Club Recognition Award (2023).New Cruise 92.7FM Recognition Award (2023).BOUESTI Students’Union Leadership Award(2023).Nigerian Youth Congress Award of Honour( 2023).CAC Oke –Ife District Award of Excellence (2023).Celestial Women Council Certificate of Worth Life Patroness( 2023).Amoye Grammar School Old Students’ Association Recognition Award(2022).Celestial Church Of Christ Award of Excellence (2022).BOUESTI Senior Staff Club Women Empowerment Award( 2022).
