FORMER WORKS DIRECTOR, JACOB OYEKANMI, FOR OMO-ATATA HALL OF FAME
The National leadership of Ekinrin Adde Community Development Association (EACDA)will on the 23rd of June 2023 induct Engr.(Dr) Olufemi Jacob Oyekanmi into its prestigious Omo-Atata Hall of Fame.
This was made known by the association’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Adewale Victor Adekanye while unveiling the names of distinguished personalities to be so honored at the Awards night which precedes the historic Ekinrin-Adde Day event slated for 24th June 2023.
Engr. Olufemi Jacob Oyekanmi was born in Ekinrin Adde, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State on the 12 of April 1963 to the family of Chief Reuben Babalola Oyekanmi who also held the Chieftaincy title Olondo of Ekinrin-Adde and Madam Folake Oyekanmi.
He attended African School II Ajegunle, Lagos and Army Children School Sobi Hill Barracks Ilorin where he bagged the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC)before proceeding to Government secondary school Omu -Aran in Kwara State for his secondary education in 1977.
He obtained a B.Eng (Hons) in Civil Engineering in 1987 from the renowned University of Ilorin, Kwara State. He got his M.Sc in Transport Management Technology in 1995 from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri and more recently a Ph.D in Transportation Planning&Management in 2021 from the same Institution.
Dr. Oyekanmi is an ardent believer in continuous professional education and intellectual development. This is evident in the many courses he attended both locally and in the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, India , south Africa and Kenya.
He began his Engineering practice in 1988 as a site Engineer with Jafco Construction company Ltd, Dawaki road Kaduna where he was involved in the construction of Ranchers Bees stadium, Kaduna. In 1989.
Dr. Oyekanmi joined the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as a Pupil Engineer after a short stay with the private sector in 1989 . He rose through the professional cadre as a highways engineer for 34 years and recently retired from the Federal civil service as the Director (Highways) overseeing all Federal Roads in the south-south zone of the country.
During his service in the Ministry, he was involved in rehabilitation and construction of numerous highway projects in the country.
Dr. Oyekanmi has received recognition and praise for his numerous contributions to the public Service in particular and society in general: To mention a few, In December 2020, he was awarded ‘Ambassador for Peace’ by the United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Center (UN-POLAC). In September 2022. he was given a community Service Award by the Rotary Club of Aladinma – Owerri in recognition of his immeasurable support and outstanding contribution towards the growth of community.
He received a letter of Commendation from the Honorable Minister of Works & Housing of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola on 1st March, 2022 for his meritorious contribution to the progress of the Ministry and the Nation at large.
Dr. Olufemi Jacob Oyekanmi loves academics and this is also evident in the number of academic publications credited to him so far . The following publications in internationally recognized journals in the United Kingdom, the United state and India are all to his credit
Estimation of the Impact of Overloaded Truck on the Service Life of Pavement Structures in Nigeria.” International Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 2020 9(2), 41-47.
“Analysis of the Extent of Overloading on Nigerian Highways.” International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology. 2020 6(1), 22-29.
Analysis of incremental load damaging effects of Overloaded Trucks on Federal Highways pavement structures in Nigeria” journal of Transportation Technologies, 2020, 10, 306-324.
Estimation of Pavement Damage Costs Attributed to overloaded Heavy Goods Vehicles on Nigerian Highways” International Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 2021 10(1) 10-19.5.
Load Damaging effects of Overloaded Trucks on Federal Highways pavement structures in Nigeria
Research Developments in Science and Technology, Vol.5, BP International Publisher, 2022, (12) 140-156.6.
Model for Estimating the cost of Overloading on Nigerian Roads (chapter 22) In Transport Management Studies in Nigeria:
A Quantitative Modeling Approach, Festschrift in Honour of professor Innocent Chuka Ogwude, University of Ibadan press ISBN 978- 978-8550-45-7
Dr. Oyekanmi is a very passionate family man. He is married to Dr. (Mrs) Nnenna Oyekanmi PhD. The union is blessed with Children.His passion for his Community Ekinrin-Adde is unsurpassable and evidently visible.
