What people don’t know about my father —Omisore’s daughter

Ibukunoluwa Adejola Omisore, eldest daughter of Senator Iyiola Omisore, a former deputy governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Osun State during the 2014 governorship election, is a Law graduate of the University of Ibadan, with a Master’s degree (LLM) from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom. She has since been called to the bar. She speaks on life as a lawyer and how her father has continued to be her source of inspiration.

 

How would you describe your childhood experience with a father who as an engineer and politician sometimes had to be away for most of the time? 

My daddy is a very caring and loving father; as a result I have a lot of wonderful memories with him while growing up. I remember when we were young, daddy used to take us out every weekend despite his busy schedule. He would take us to our village in Ile-Ife and Ifewara (Osun State) during Christmas and for family functions.

I remember him visiting me one day in my hostel at the University of Ibadan, and when my friends and roommates met him, they were the happiest that day. His love for education is amazing. Daddy would go through my results every term and encourage me to be the best in class.  He taught me simplicity and how to accommodate different people. I also learnt to be religious and philanthropic. He always gives because he cannot afford to see people suffer around him.

There are so many things people don’t know about my father. Being someone who is publicity shy, many people misconstrue his positions and intentions on many issues. He does not like to respond to issues that affect him in the media. He is given to charity and helping many in need but would not make a hue about such.

He is a devout Christian and he encourages us to continue to trust in the Lord in all our endeavours. My dad is a very intelligent and disciplined man. I always look forward to discussing issues with him. He seems to know a lot concerning every a profession. Even as a lawyer, I have benefited immensely from his wealth of knowledge. He is extremely humble and always calm. He can’t even hurt a fly. Daddy is also very funny; there is never a dull moment with him.

 

How has your journey in the law profession been?

I graduated from the University of Ibadan, and I studied Law (LLB). I attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar afterwards. Thereafter, I proceeded to the University of Warwick, United Kingdom for my masters and was awarded with Master of Laws (LLM).

 

What else do you know about your father that you think the public doesn’t know?

My daddy is very passionate about Nigeria, most especially the people of Osun State. This is evident in his various philanthropic activities and his contribution towards the development of the state in all sectors. He is a nationalist; he sacrificed most of his time, resources and efforts towards the development of Nigeria and Osun State of his dream.

He also loves to dance and sing to Christian songs. He loves neatness and orderliness. He does not tolerate failure or academic laziness. He also hates lies which he considers as a serious sin and a proof of cowardice.

 

 How true is the claim that you are from a royal family?

My dad is the grandson of Lowa Omisore and the late Olufewara, Oba Titus Adetoba of the Oseganderuku ruling house in Ifewara, where his mother, Princess Emilia Adejola ruled as regent until her death in 2006. His father is Oba David Olajide Omisore of Ayepe, Olode, Ile- Ife.

 

Just how much do you know about his professional practice?

Many people don’t know that my dad is a world-class engineer, who has consulted for local and multinational agencies, such as the World Bank or that he just recently obtained a PhD in Public and Private Partnership. He is a world-class engineer with specialty in infrastructure development and public private partnership.

He actually started his early professional life with the firm of Drake and Gordham while in the UK in the early 80s where he received on-the-job training and rose to top management positions. As Drake and Scull (Nig) Ltd, the same firm took him back home to Nigeria where he worked on major engineering projects. It was while working at Drake and Scull that his project management skills were honed. He later established his own engineering firms: Mechelec Consultants –an consultancy outfit and Chrisore Engineering Ltd, an electrical engineering firm.

On the consultancy side he was involved in the execution of several World Bank-assisted projects and ADB/AD- assisted projects in virtually every part of Nigeria, including many projects for blue chip companies, banks, embassies, just to mention but a few. He is very successful in his professional endeavour and has also diversified into several areas of the economy.

He was in the process of taking Chrisore Engineering to be listed on the Stock Exchange before the duties of elective political office beckoned on him.

 

Your appearance is simple, is this as a result of your upbringing?

There is a lot of simplicity in everything I do and comfort is important to me. I could be conservative and I like to play safe. I take that after my dad.