Alani Bankole

Suarau Olayiwola Alani Bankole was born on September  17th, 1941 in a little village called Iporo Oju Ogun in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. He came after his parents, Alhaji Rufai Gbadebo Bankole and Alhaja Simiat Bankole had waited for four (4) years without an issue. He is a businessman and politician.

Alani Bankole Age

Alani Bankole is 82 years old.

Alani Bankole Early Life

Bankole grew up as a merchant and farmer, being the son of an influential Chief. His grandfather, Somuyiwa, was the second son of Bankole. When the Muslims came to Abeokuta, he was converted and was named Salami. His brother, Osho Aminu, was made the Olori Ode of Iporo after their grandfather, but when the Ogbonis invited both of them to take Ogboni titles, they both declined on the grounds that it was not right for them as Muslims to hold Ogboni titles, which was generally associated with being fetish even nowadays. They were of the opinion that Olori-Ode was just a show of their proficiency in hunting and spiritual dexterity.

Chief Alani Bankole’s father, the late Alhaji Rufai Gbadebo Bankole, who until his death was the Jagunna of Iporo Muslims too, was not interested in Ogboni chieftaincy. As a young man, Chief Alani Bankole was very adventurous. The more he got honoured with different chieftaincy titles, the more he realised that his forebears were not very correct in their assessment. Before his father died, he had become the Sagua of Iporo and Sagua means heir apparent.

Alani was the first person to attend St. Peter’s Day School in his village. He gained admission into secondary school 3 years after primary education because of his Muslim faith. He gained entry into Baptist Boys' High School (BBHS) after several efforts. He became a Petrol Station attendant at age 15, was Captain of his School football team, President of his school's Literary and Debate Society, and Class Prefect in his final year.

Alani Bankole Career

In January 1966, Bankole received three job offers from Nigerian Railway Corporation, UAC, and Federal Office of Statistics. He opted for Federal office of statistics where he worked as Assistant Statistical Officer from 1966-1967. While there, he painstakingly improved himself academically, he wrote and passed his GCE A’ Levels (Economics and Government). From the Federal office of statistics, 25 of them were sent to Achimota College of Statistics, University of Ghana in 1967. He also holds a senior management course certificate from the Nigerian Institute of Management in the year 1978.

Shortly after his father’s demise, he became the Balogun and a Kingmaker, which is the highest title in the Ologun (Warriors Lineage). As Balogun, you are the Commander-In-Chief of the army. He said when he became Balogun, he realised that there was nothing fetish in the position of Oluwo Iporo. It was clearly the Head of Government of the town.

At the age of 36, Bankole had become a millionaire in Naira, Pounds and Dollars. He was the first Nigerian to venture into IATA Air chartering where he was chairman of IML Air Chartering Nigeria Ltd from 1975-1980 and also a Director at IML Air Services , UK from 1979-1981.

Since 1980, he has been the Chairman of Vuysteke Construction Company Limited. He also acts as the Chairman, S.O.A. Properties Limited and the chairman, WAAP foods and Allied Products

As a politician, Chief Bankole has made an indelible mark in his political pursuit. His vast experience made him a success in all the positions he held. They include: The State Deputy Chairman of NPN from 1980 to 1982. At the same time he was a member of the National Executive Council of NPN. He is also a Governorship candidate of the NPN in 1983 Elections in Ogun State He was also a founding member of several political parties. 

Alani Bankole Personal Life

Bankole is married to Atinuke Bankole, the Ekerin Iyalode of Egbaland. His second son, Dimeji Bankole, was the Speaker Nigerian House of Representatives between November 2007 and May 2011. In 2012, Chief Bankole married Bola, a 25 year old graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University (O.O.U). He now has about five wives. One of his wives, Chief (Mrs) Adunni Omotayo Bankole, died in January 2015, in Maryland, Lagos State, after a protracted battle with a heart-related illness.

Alani Bankole Awards

Bankole holds the Yoruba traditional titles of Oluwo of Iporo Ake and Seriki Jagunmolu of Egbaland.

Alani Bankole Net Worth

His net worth is not available.

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