Adeyemo Alakija
| Adeyemo Alakija | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | Placido Assumpcao |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Sir Adeyemo Alakija, KBE (25 May 1884 – 10 May 1952) was a Nigerian lawyer, politician and businessman. He served as a member of the Nigerian legislative council for nine years starting in 1933. In 1942, he became a member of the governor's Executive Council. Alakija was president of Egbe Omo Oduduwa from 1948 until his death in 1952.
He held the chieftaincy titles of the Lisa of Egba and the Woje Ileri of Ile-Ife
Alakija was born to the family of Marculino sometimes called Elemeji and Maxmilliana Assumpcao; he was the youngest of the seven children in the family. His father was of Egba ancestry and his mother was the daughter of Alfa Cyprian Akinosho Tairu of Oyo. His eldest brother Maxwell Porphyrio Assumpcao-Alakija was a barrister in Bahia and father in-law of Olumuyiwa Jibowu and one of his brothers who became his law partner was Olayimika Alakija, a former member of the Nigerian Legislative Council. Alakija attended St Gregory's Catholic School before moving to CMS Grammar School, Lagos, and later studied at Oxford University in the early 1930s, and became an ardent proponent for the provision of tertiary education to Nigerians during the colonial period.
After finishing his secondary education, Alakija worked with the colonial government from 1900 to 1910. He then proceeded to study Law in London earning his qualification in 1913 and thereafter opened a law practice in Lagos. In 1913, Alakija and his siblings changed their last name from Assumpcao to Alakija. His law firm was successful but his foray into elective politics met opposition from Herbert Macaulay, a former friend of his but whose politics diverged as a result of the Lagos Eleko crisis. Alakija was opposed to Eshugbayi Eleko, the Oba of Lagos and the Oba's supporters including the Jamat Muslims and Macaulay. He was a candidate in the 1923 legislative elections but lost. However, from 1933 to 1941, he was a nominated member representing Egba division.
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