By Shola Oshunkeye
Permit me to commence this article with a candid disclosure. I initially presumed that the subject of this piece was the very same individual, the same name I had become acquainted with since early 1991. This was the year I encountered the then Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, an American-educated pharmacist and international entrepreneur, who, alongside his associate, Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, affectionately known as ‘Serubawon’, was revving their engines to vie for the offices of Governor and Deputy Governor of Osun State under the banner of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
It was during the Third Republic. At that time, I served as an Assistant News Editor with the groundbreaking Weekend Concord, Nigeria’s inaugural Saturday tabloid. A female aide of Alhaji Adeleke was a frequent visitor to our office in Lagos, consistently delivering press releases and campaign-related narratives from Ede and Osogbo to our Editor, Mr. Mike Awoyinfa. Regardless of how close we were to production deadlines, we invariably accommodated her requests.
Before long, I had the opportunity to meet Prince Adesuyi Haastrup, the deputy gubernatorial candidate. As an Ijesa individual making significant strides in human interest journalism in Nigeria, we formed an immediate rapport. Fortuitously, the duo triumphed in the elections and assumed office in January 1992. Our camaraderie deepened to the extent that I nearly became Prince Haastrup’s Chief Press Secretary later in their tenure.
Now, Prince Haastrup had a tall, fair-skinned young assistant named Lati, a native of Ilesa, my hometown. I cultivated a good relationship with him, as I did with most other staff members.
Now, let me fast forward the narrative. One day in February 2025, I journeyed to Ilesa to pay my respects to the newly installed Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, during his Ipebi (traditional seclusion) in the palace of the Ogboni of Ilesa, High Chief Saka Fapohunda. As we were concluding our discussion, Kabiyesi’s phone rang.
“Lati, bawo ni o? (Lati, how are you?),” the Owa inquired in his characteristic soft-spoken manner.
Kabiyesi’s phone was sufficiently loud for me to hear the voice on the other end informing His Imperial Majesty that he was en route to Ilesa and would proceed directly to the Ogboni’s palace upon his arrival. “Olorun a mu e de layo, (God will bring you here safely),” Kabiyesi prayed, then informed the voice: “Lati, I would like you to meet someone. His name is Mr. Shola Oshunkeye. I will provide you with his number. He will reach out to you.”
I anticipated Baba would terminate the call at that juncture. He did not. Instead, he handed me the phone and instructed me to converse with Lati. Until that moment, I retained the mental image of the Lati I had known decades ago, who by now should be in his mid or late fifties. However, the voice on the other end was markedly different from the Lati I had engaged with in the early ’90s. This new Lati and I exchanged pleasantries and concluded our conversation. Precisely at 8 a.m. the following day, I arrived at Lati’s residence in Ilesa. Then, the veil was lifted.
High Chief Lateef Akande Bakare, the Ajirowa of Ijesaland, widely known as LAB, was already awaiting my arrival. To my astonishment, he captivated me with his unpretentiousness! Clad in a simple T-shirt paired with ash-colored trousers, he sat behind a modest desk situated near the entrance of the living room, fervently typing on the keyboard of his Apple laptop while concurrently engaging in a virtual meeting. Upon my approach, he sprang to his feet, extending a hand of welcome, and gestured for me to take a seat before his diminutive table.
Moments later, he muted the meeting and provided an expansive overview of the impending grand coronation of Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III. He elaborated on the committees that had been established and expressed his and Kabiyesi’s earnest desire for me to join their ranks and contribute my expertise in media and publicity. Judging from the manner in which he engaged with me, one might have surmised that the Ajirowa and I had been comrades for over two decades. He was affable, candid, and straightforward. Yet, I “ain’t seen nothin’” yet, as the Americans would say. The Ajirowa revealed himself in numerous delightful ways as the countdown commenced. With a deep sense of gratitude, I instantly accepted the great honour to be part of history.
World-class academic, and former Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Wale Omole, was the Chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee. The Ajirowa was the Vice Chairman. And what a dynamite we had in this amazing duo. With the solid backing of the Owa, they established 12 sub-committees comprising over 60 people of dignity, class and character from across the globe to organise the various components of the grand coronation, scheduled to start on Friday, May 16, 2025, and end on Sunday, May 25.
Their eyes firmly fixed on the goal-to deliver a world-class event that would be referenced for a long time, they not only proved to be influential leaders who model ethical behaviors but also excellent problem solvers whose curiosity, creativity and analytical mindset drive continuous improvement.
As Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the historic occasion, I worked closely with LAB. A workaholic, LAB provided effective leadership at meetings, rallying chairmen of the various sub-committees towards the corporate objective. Without micromanaging, he led with single-minded purpose, acting decisively, dependably and responsibly at all times. He proved to be a perfect embodiment of steadfastness and trustworthiness, an outstanding administrator who behaves ethically in any scenario. He has an infinite capacity to absorb pressure, never losing his cool no matter how crushing the compression may seem. He is a Titan who just gets stuffs done no matter the odds. Little wonder his friends call him: Small Body, Big Engine. Laugh, if you may. But dynamites, as they say, come in small packages. And LAB is a dynamite. Terrific.
Did you just ask; why all this grammar? It is because LAB, a metropolitan citizen, a man of means and multifarious enterprise across diverse locations, is 70. He turned 70 upper Friday, June 20, 2025.
But he neither rolled out the drums nor clashed the cymbals on his natal day. He was 10,666 kilometres away from Nigeria. He had flown 11.83 hours to participate in the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada, and also honour his wife who was recently unveiled as the District Governor Elect for Rotary International District 9111 Nigeria. Looking for a committed Family man? LAB is one.
This article, therefore, is a toast to a titan who rules his world with astonishing resoluteness, conviction and faith. A perfect symbolism for courage and conviction. A man who, like the Biblical Daniel, is imbued with the spirit of excellence. A redoubtable leader who not only commands respect but also inspires, and serves as a model of great inspiration to his followers. A man who, though loves and serves God with his all, places humanity above religion. A man who, despite being a devout Muslim, participates freely and at home with other religious faiths, particularly Christianity and Indigenous Faith of Africa (Egbe Ijo Orunmila Ato).
Profile
Lateef Akande Bakare, FCA, FBR, was born in Ilesa, Osun State, on Monday, June 20, 1955, a day in Anglo-Saxon known as “Moon’s Day”, a day in creation that is remarkable for strength, boundless energy, creativity, and massive opportunities.
He had his early education at the Nawair-Ud-Deen Primary School, Muroko Road, Ilesa, whilst he concurrently attended the Ansar Ul Islam Quranic School, Ilesa, for his Islamic education. For his secondary school education, LAB proceeded to Atakumosa High School, Osu, Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun State.
A man of insatiable appetite for knowledge, LAB attended the prestigious Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, where he studied accountancy, graduating with flying colours. Aside from Yaba College of Technology, LAB is also an alumnus of Oxford Brookes College of Oxford University, United Kingdom, and Executive Business School of Wharton College, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America.
In 1976, and at just 21, he scored a major goal in his chosen profession when he qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant with automatic admission as an Associate Member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). In all, LAB has chalked up almost five decades of respectable post-qualification experience in all fields of accountancy, financial and management consultancy.
A man of many parts-businessman, accountant, tax consultant, business insolvency expert and philanthropist, LAB, a Paul Harris Fellow, holds the Professional Fellowships of several reputable institutions, including:
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), United Kingdom
Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria
Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria
Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria
Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria and several others.
LAB started his accountancy career with Pannel Fitzpatrick & Co in 1974, moved to Deloitte Haskins & Sells in 1976, got seconded to Deloitte UK in 1979 as an International Exchange Staff, and in 1984, he was admitted as a Partner.
An avid reader, LAB is endowed with uncommon brilliance and intellect that puts him ahead of his peers and makes him vastly knowledgeable about virtually every aspect of life, from engineering to humanities.
In 1987, he was appointed a Member of Deloitte’s Global Technical Committee, and in 1979, he became the proud recipient of Deloitte UK’s Computer Software Development Award.
LAB was a major participant (at the professional level) in the implementation of the 2nd Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree (The Indigenization Decree) of 1977 and Consultant to the Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation (TCPC), now Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
After 16 years of meritorious service, nationally and internationally, Lateef Akande Bakare retired in 1991 as International Quality Assurance Partner in the world’s largest Financial Assurance and Consulting Services firm-Deloitte Haskins & Sells, now Deloitte & Touche. Thereafter, he went into private business, and founded his group of companies, in addition to other landmark engagements.
They include:
Founder and Managing Partner of Lateef Bakare & Co, as well as Adetona, Bakare & Co respectively, both Integrated Firms of Chartered Accountants engaged in Taxation, Insolvency, Management Consultancy, Business and Process Re-engineering Services.
Limited Partner in VANDT Advisory Partners LP, an investment advisory and financial consulting services firm.
Serving in various capacities in many companies where, for almost 50 years, he provided his expertise in audit, taxation, financial and management consultancy, secretarial, insolvency and business restructuring services.
Served, and still serving, as Non-Executive Director in many quoted and unquoted companies.
Served as Independent Non-Executive Director (NED) of a Tier 1 Bank, where he concurrently functioned as Chairman of the Strategy Monitoring and Finance Committee, as well as the Board Audit Committee (the only NED with that singular honour); he was member of two other Committees in one of the largest banks in Nigeria with operations in many other countries.
Currently, Chairman of a major publicly quoted company incorporated in 1928 by Royal Charter, and Non-Executive Director in two other public limited companies and several private companies.
A strategy, financial and management advisor of repute with experience in all sectors of the economy in a career spanning almost five decades and still counting.
Public Sector and Social Services
LAB has wide ranging public sector and social services experience that include serving as: National Secretary General, Chapter President and National Vice President of JCI Nigeria in 1984, 1985 and 1986, respectively. A 1984 JCI TROT Graduate in Montreal, Canada; 1987 JCI Major Emphasis Theme Coordinator; he is now a Senator of the JCI, conferring life membership status.
He also served meritoriously as National Coordinator of The West African Enterprise Network between 1999 and 2000; and Assistant Honorary Secretary and Honorary Secretary of The Hope Family in 1998 and 2000 respectively. He held the latter position till 2010.
Politics
LAB’s footprints can also be found in the political landscape of Nigeria. These include, but not limited to serving as a member of The Hope Family, the strategic family that managed the Hope ’93 SDP election activities.
By 1998 when the current political dispensation started, LAB had risen to the officer grade in The Hope Family and was involved in several strategic political and tactical activities nationally, particularly in the South West.
He had a stint in partisan politics as gubernatorial aspirant under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State in 2007 and ran what was generally acclaimed as the most formidable ideologically and intellectually based political structure and campaign across the nooks and crannies of the state.
LAB remains committed to societal egalitarianism, operating under a free market and responsible capitalism as epitomised by his popular slogan: “A society that does not take care of its poor, cannot guarantee the safety of its rich”.
A man at home with all segments of the society, LAB has, over the years, built a massive network of friends and influences across the country with links across all societal groupings irrespective of status, creed or religious affiliations.
Faith and Humanity
Based on his acceptance of the JCI Creed and Rotary’s 4-Way Test, LAB is a strong proponent of humanity above religiosity.
A devout Muslim and member of both Nawair-Ud-Deen (NUD) and Nasiru Lahi li Fathi (NASFAT) Islamic Societies, LAB also participates freely and is, indeed, at home with other religious faiths. especially Christianity and Indigenous Faith of Africa (Egbe Ijo Orunmila Ato).
He serves as Trustee in several not-for-profit and development focused organisations.
LAB is the current President of The Ijesa Society, a Lagos-based association with significant interest in the development of Ijesaland. He is also a trustee of the Ijesaland Mineral Resources Development Forum, IMRDF, Ijesaland Community Development Assembly, ICDA, and member of several other intervention groups in Ijesaland.
Currently the Financial Secretary of the Osun Development Association,
LAB, a Paul Harris Fellow, is a Rotarian and a major donor to The Rotary Foundation. He was honoured as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Nigeria in 1985 and is a proud recipient of several Fellowships, Regional, National and International awards.
As a testimonial to his outstanding contributions to the development of Ijesaland, as well as his vast knowledge of the historical trajectory of the land, the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, on December 29, 2024, conferred LAB with the Honorary Chieftaincy Title of AJIROWA OF IJESALAND.
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.” says the holy book in Proverbs 22:29. That diligent man is LAB. Now, stand up, fill your glass, and let’s drink to the continuous wellness, wealth and ethereal peace of this icon, and lover of God and humanity, High Chief Lateef Akande Bakare at 70.