Dr. Oluwole Solanke (PhD, FCIB), an academic leader, financial expert, columnist, and Chief/Principal Lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa in Kwara State, Nigeria, has been installed as the Otun Baba Ijo, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Offa Circuit.
The scholar is Chairman Caretaker Committee Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN), 1977 set .
A columnist with THE IMPACT newspaper, Dr. Oluwole writes a weekly column titled “Life Reflections: Practical Philosophy”. His writings are published every Tuesday.
The scion of Baba Bishop, the Late Rt. Revd. (Dr.) Samuel Kọlawọle Ṣolankẹ, former Bishop of Kwara and Remo Dioceses,was installed on Saturday, October 10th, 2026.
Dr. Ṣolankẹ who was honoured for his service to the Church and the need to do more was installed with 16 other committed members of the MCN, Ọffà Circuit.
According to the Kwara Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Revd. Joseph Osifuwa, who presided over the ceremony, the installation was to make members of the church more committed to the work of God.
In his words, “It is a call to responsibility and it is only members of the church that can be so called because leading people is a difficult burden but there’s sufficient grace for the so called.
Bishop Osifuwa, noted in his sermon that Jesus Christ Himself asked the elect to feed His flock, urged the new chiefs to be careful how they tread the new path.
”Lead the flock of God to Calvary,” he urged them.
The Presbyter and Minister in charge of the Circuit, Very Revd. M.S. Afọlabi congratulated the new chiefs and welcomed visitors, including Sis. Deborah Osifuwa, the Bishop’s wife, to the service.
The brand new Ọtun Baba Ijọ, Chief Dr. Oluwọle Solanke read the first Bible passage for the service, which was taken from the Old Testament book of Numbers chapter 11, verses 11 to 17.
The members of the church installed as Chiefs included Chief J. A. Ogundiran as Baba Ijọ, Chief Mrs. J. A. Ọladipọ as Iya Ijọ, Susan C.A. Adegbitẹ as Ọtun Iya Ijọ, Sir Gbenga Aleminu as Balogun Ijọ, Chief J.O. Dare as Baba Isalẹ Ijọ, Bro. Joshua Enemali as Ọtun Baba Isalẹ Ijọ, Chief J.O. Ilọri as Majẹobajẹ Ijọ and Mrs. Juliana Folami as Majẹobajẹ Obìnrin Ijọ.
Also, Bro. Kunle Alli as Baba Adura Ijọ, Bro. K.O. Abọaba as Baba Ẹgbẹ Idapọ Ọkùnrin Ijọ, Susan T.D. Bakare as Iya Ẹgbẹ Idapọ Obìnrin Ijọ, Mrs. E. A. Alli as Iya Igbagbọ Ijọ, Susan Yinka Macarthy as Ọtun Iya Ewe Ijọ, Bro. Ṣẹgun Ajibade as Ọtun Majẹobajẹ Ọkùnrin Ijọ, Sis. Tọlani Adeniyi as Ọtun Majẹobajẹ Obìnrin Ijọ and Sir Ayọ Ṣijuwọla as Alatunṣe Ijọ.
Dr. Oluwole Solanke holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Phd) from the prestigious University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom. He currently serves as the Acting Dean at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, where he mentors the next generation of business and finance professionals.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and an international speaker, he has made presentations at conferences across Europe, and trained professionals in the United Kingdom. His deep understanding of human dynamics, combined with a wealth of life experiences, drive his commitment to sharing valuable insights on relationships, loyalty, and personal fulfillment.
