Jonathan A. Obafemi Olopade born 1926 was a renowned industrialist and one of Nigeria’s distinguished personalities.

A structural engineer by training, he ran a chain of business ventures. Notable among some of his close friends were former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Asiwaju Alex Duduyemi, Chief John West and many other.

The business magnate attended Wesley Methodist School and proceeded to the United Kingdom to further his education. He studied structural engineering at a college of technology in United Kingdom.

Career

Olopade started his professional career in 1963 at Messrs. G. Maunsel & Patners in the United Kingdom where he worked as a Junior Engineer on the White City/Baker Street Road construction in London. He was also involved the traffic survey in the New diversion of traffic from the Centre City in Chester, England.

After few years of working abroad he set up his business in Nigeria. He started buying and selling with the British people which include importation of food items, drinks, frozen food from South Africa to sell to big companies like UAC and Leventis. He also imported textile and other materials from China to be sold to textile factories.

In addition, his company was the first to introduce Titus and Sardines to Nigeria. Likewise, importing toilet rolls and paper napkins from England before it began producing in Nigeria.

Off buying and selling, Olopade ventured into manufacturing of syringe, condom and needle with its factories in Calabar. However, his companies were banned and locked up by the Nigerian government under the cover of security and safety reasons.

Despite this, he had the largest and oldest travel agency in Nigeria, with clients mainly accountants, engineers and architects.

During his 90th birthday celebration, Olopade launched his book, titled “Yoruba for Every Season and Citizen.” He passed on September 10, few weeks after his 95th birthday.

A former Minister of Defense and Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro described him as a passionate and patriotic Nigerian who played active roles in the struggle that birthed Nigeria’s independence.

He added that Chief Olopade lived an exemplary life and would be missed for his brilliance, wisdom, and unequalled and insightful analysis of issues.