On Friday, March 12, 2021 news filtered in of the demise of Barrister Tunde Olashore, an erudite lawyer of no small means. The reactions that trailed the news from both old and young citizens of Egboro land was a testament to the fact that the community has again lost an illustrious son.
Born into the Ajagbusi-Ekun Royal family of Iloko-Ijesa on 19th February, 1937, his father was late Oba Samuel Oyerinde Olashore and his mother was from the Fasosin family of Oke-Ogun, Ijebu-Jesa.
The young Prince had a staggered primary education which took him through different missionary schools. He attended Holy Trinity School, Omofe, Ilesa, St. Matthew’s School, Ijebu-Jesa and later, St. Peter School, Minna, Niger State. He obtained his first school leaving certificate in 1951. He further post primary class in 1952 at Holy Trinity School, Kano after which he proceeded to St. Peters College, Zaria for a two years spell to train as a teacher between 1953 and 1954. He then worked as a teacher in the Anglican Mission from 1955 to 1959.
To further his education, he studied and passed the General Certificate of Education of the University of London both at the ordinary and the advanced levels in 1960 and 1961 respectively. He thereafter proceeded to the United Kingdom to study Law at the University of London where he obtained the Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) in June 1964. He attended the Nigeria Law School and on 30th April, 1965 he was called to the bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
As a lawyer, Barr. Tunde Olashore was sound, brave and stood tall among his peers. His legal practices extended to Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo and indeed almost every part of Nigeria.
Prince Olatunde Olashore was involved in the politics of the First Republic as a member of the defunct Action Group of which late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the leader. In the Action Group, he was Housing Secretary of the party in the then Niger Province (now Niger State) between 1956-1958 and Publicity Secretary of the United Middle Belt Congress/Action Group Alliance during the same period.
He was councillor for Ijebu-Jesa in the then Obokun Local Government council between 1976-1979, and member of the defunct Constituent Assembly which was responsible for the making of the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The late Prince was a Director of the Nigeria General Insurance Company Limited (a subsidiary of Oodua Investment Company Ltd). He was also a Director of the First Bank of Nigeria Plc between 1980-1983.
As a lover of his community, Prince Tunde Olashore was at different times the Social Secretary, Secretary General and National President of the Ijebu-Jesa Social Club (IJSC). He held the position of president for twelve years during which the General Hospital at Ijebu-Jesa was built by the club. He was 1st Vice-president of Ijebu-Jesa Unions’ Conference (IJUC) and later President between 1996-2013.
The late erudite lawyer was a very religious person who had absolute faith in God. He was a family man who was very much loved by his children and indeed the entire Olashore family.
Prince Olatunde Olashore bagged many local and international awards. He was also presented a prestigious Meritorious Service Award by HRM Oba Felix Taiwo Aribisala, the late Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa.
Prince Olatunde Olashore will surely be missed by all and sundry.
