Babatunde Raji Fashola, was born in Lagos at the Island Maternity Hospital on June 28, 1963. A fifth generation Lagosian and a direct descendant of the patriach of the Fashola family in Isalegangan. He is also a descendant of the Shomade family of Isale Eko through his paternal grandmother as well as a descendant of the Bashua and suenu families of Lagos.
He studied at the University of Benin from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B.(Hon), degree in 1987.He was called to the Nigerian Bar as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in November 1988 after completing the professional training programme at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos which he undertook between 1987 and 1988.His legal career of over one and a half decades, commenced in the law Firm of Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe an d Belgore, where he cut his legal teeth as a litigator over such wide-ranging areas of specialization as, intellectual property (registration of trade marks), commercial law, covering general contracts, company activities, mergers, acquisitions, right issues, ownership of shares and equity of corporations, as well as land disputes, criminal law and chieftaincy matters, in all of which he has come to acquire appreciable expertise and vast experience.Political career
Babatunde Fashola commenced a four-year tenure as the Executive Governor of Lagos State in Nigeria on May 29, 2007; this was after a successful four-year tenure as the Chief of Staff to his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Fashola had during his tenure as Chief of Staff also dubbed as the Honourable Commissioner to the Governor's office. He was the first person to hold both offices simultaneously.
Before and during his appointment he had had the privilege to serve the State in various capacities, including:
- Secretary of the Lands Sub-Committee of the Transitional Work Groups. 1999.
- Member of the panel of Enquiry into allocation of houses on the Mobolaji Johnson Housing Scheme at Lekki, 2000.
- Member of the State Tenders Board- 2002- 2006.
- Member of Lagos State Executive Council-2002-2006.
- Member of the State Security Council-2002-2006
- Member of the State Treasury Board-2002-2006
- Chairman Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of Asset distribution among Local Government.
Fashola, a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has been variously honoured with awards and certificates of merit including the Distinguished Alumnus Award conferred on him by the University of Benin Alumni Association in recognition of contributions to the Alumnus association and humanity.
He is also a recipient of Lagos State public service club Platinum Award for outstanding contribution towards development. As well as Alliance for Democracy " Igbogbo Bayeku Local Government Award" in recognition of activities towards the success of the party.
Babatunde Fashola is also a Patron of the Law Students Association of the University of Benin and he is the second law graduate from the University of Benin and the first member of the Nigerian Law School graduating class of 1988 to be conferred with the Rank of Senior Advocate. He is also the First ever Chief of Staff to be so honoured.
Notably amongst his professional affiliations are his membership of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
Family and lineage
He is married to Mrs. Abimbola Emmanuela Fashola and they have children.
Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) is a descendant of the patriarch of the Fashola family, Alfa Bello Fashola of Princess Street in Isale Gangan, Lagos.
On the Fashola family tree, he is the great grandson of Bello Fashola, a philanthropist and a very close friend of Esugbayi Eleko, who contributed morally and financially to the struggle to return Esugbayi Eleko to Lagos after the Oba's banishment from his kingdom by the then colonial government.
Bello Fashola had 137 children with Tiamiyu Bashorun Fashola as the eldest child.
The direct linkage is as follows: Bello Fashola begat Tiamiyu Fashola, who begat Raji Olayinka Fashola, who begat Ademola Fashola who begat Babatunde Raji Fashola.
He is also linked to Isale Eko through his paternal grandmother who is a direct descendant of the Shomade/Bashua family of Obun Eko and Suenu chieftancy family house.
His paternal great, great grandmother was Jarinatu Okunnu from Isale Eko Onilegbe family whilst his maternal great grandmother is from Idumagbo Isale Eko of the Suenu Chieftancy family.
His historical antecedent spans over five generations.
Fashola, quite unlike most politicians in Nigeria goes by the simple prefix of "Mr" and can be seen in traffic just like any other motorist devoid of that familiar Nigerian trapping of power, wailing siren
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