AN Awoist and former deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ayodele Shittu has said that contributions of the foremost industrialist from Offa, in Offa local government area of the state, Chief Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye, in manufacturing and industry have impacted positively in personal and nation’s economy.
Speaking with Tribune Online in Ilorin on Tuesday, Hon. Shittu described the late philanthropist as a patriot who made many people millionaires through the distribution of Okin Biscuit that he manufactured in 1980.
“Okin biscuit was a staple for school-going children and homes. Okin biscuit was served in marriages, naming, burial ceremonies, in offices and for entertaining guests. Distributors of this brand became millionaires and the personal economy of millions was positively impacted. This contributed to the GDP of this sector, saved forex and provided numerous indirect jobs,” he said.
Hon. Shittu, who said that the leadership qualities of late Adesoye had helped to put the ancient Offa town on the map of Nigeria, added that he was a man of many parts as a pioneer Quantity Surveyor, businessman, philanthropist, industrialist, community leader and educationist.
The former Kwara lawmaker, who commiserated with children, family members and people of Offa as the late industrialist was committed to mother earth, said that the Adesoye International College, Offa, founded by the renowned educationist had impacted on the educational advancement of the country.
“Chief Adesoye, fondly called ‘Expee’ (Experience) by his peers and fans during his teenage days because of his dexterity on the football field, exceptional brilliance in the classroom, leadership qualities at that tender age, rose to become a colossus whose inimitable activities conspicuously put Offa in the map of this country”, he said.