Kogi Youth Development Association (KYDA) Conferred Ambassadorial Award on Vice Admiral (Dr) Chief. Joseph Ajayi(Rtd) “CON” As Kogi Youth Ambassador of the Year.
20th –04 –2024
Profile:
THE JAGUNNOLU OF OWE LAND (KABBA)
Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi, was born July 1st, 1949, in Gbeleko Kabba, Kogi state, he attended St Barnabas Secondary School, Kabba, before gaining admission into
Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA) in January, 1970.
On completion of his officer cadet training at the NDA and midshipman course in the United Kingdom, he was granted Presidential Commission into Nigeria Navy (NN) in the rank of
Sub-Leutenant in 1972. Admiral Ajayi is a ‘Hydrographic/Oceanographic Survey Specialist.
The Admiral attended series of military courses locally and abroad, prominent among them are the Basic Hydrographic Survey course in India, Advanced Hydrographic and oceanographic course in USA, Staff course at the Command and Staff College (CSC) Jaji and National Institute of Policy and Strategyic Study (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos, where he was awarded member on the National Institute (MNI). Among other decorations of the Admiral are Meritorious Service Star (MSS) and Distinguished Service Star (DSS). It is noteworthy to mention that the senior officer was one of the recipients of the 2003 National Award whom President Conferred with the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON). He was also conferred with Honourary Doctorate Award by St. Clement University, London. Admiral Ajayi has held various command appointments both ashore and afloat in the Nigeria Navy.
He was the Flag Officer Sea Training before his appointment as the Chief of Defence
Intelligence, Deputy Defence Adviser (DDA) London, from 1991 to 1995 and thereafter the
Defence Adviser (DA) London during the difficult period of diplomatic face-up between
British and Nigeria Government
1994/1995.
He brought his experience as a diplomat to
bear in advising and counsel
newly appointed Defence Adviser (Das) as the Chief of
Defence Intelligence (CDI)
Furthermore, the Admiral resumption as the CDI in the advent of democratic government
was saddled with the task of focusing the operation of the agency to conform to the
democratic dispensation. The
task he has achieved with huge success. His tenure has also
witnessed the restructuring of the Agency for efficiency, establishment of the Defence
Intelligence School (DIS), as well as the building of a new office complex, building of the
permanent site of the Defence Intelligence School (DIS) at Karu; Abuja Clinic; Sports
complex, Senior Staff Club; Staff canteen and Directors’ quarters. On the welfare of the
civilian staff of the Agency, Vice Admiral Ajayi constituted a pension scheme for their
retirement; he made provision of accommodation for both officers and junior staff of the Agency.
Since the inception of the present democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999, the agency under his dynamic leadership has contributed positively in areas of security both within and internationally, these contributions include: (a) Counter intelligence role in support of OP HARMONY (Nigeria/Cameroon crisis
(b) Support to other security agencies during internal security crises
(c) Prompt and up to date analysis of national security issues and delivery of same to appropriate quarters for decision making.
(d) Security monitoring, analysis and advises on the just concluded general elections.
APPOINTMENT HELD:
(a) Commanding Officer, Naval wing, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
(b) Commanding Officer, Nigerian Naval Ship.
(c) Commanding Officer, Nigerian Naval Survey Ship, LANA
(d) Staff Officer Operations, Western Naval Command
(e) Chief Instructor Nigerian Naval College Onura, Onne-Port Harcourt (Naval Training
College for Cadets)
(f) Commanding Officer, Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS), AKASO, (Training School for
Ratings), Port-Harcourt.
(g) Deputy Defence Adviser, Navy London from 1991-1993
(h) Defence Adviser, Londen from 1994-1995
(i) Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos.
(j) Flat Officer Sea Training, Sea Training Command, Bonny Camp, Victoria Island, Lagos.
(k) He was the Chief of Defence Intelligence for six years until his retirement from service
with effect from 01 August, 2005. It is to be noted that the President then, Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR promoted him to Vice Admiral (3 Star General) because of his
dedication to duties.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Admiral Ajayi had contributed alot in the development of Oweland especially in the areas of employment for Okun Indigenes and provisions of welfare to
some schools and market in Kabba town. He had also been rendering assistance to some
religious groups (Christians & Muslims). He has empowered Kogi especially Okun indigenes in his private companies and farms
He launched an NGO about 10 years ago named Vice Admiral & Mrs Ajayi
EDUCATION FOUNDATION which is a non-religious, non-political, non-profit organization basically set-up to support the educational needs of children of widows and the under
privileged people of Kabba and Ikale towns of Kogi and Ondo States About 100 candidates from
University have benefitted from this foundation.
The Vice Admiral is married to Mrs. Rachael Abosede Ajayi and blessed with five (5)
children, three (3) boys and two (2) girls who are doing very well in the United Kingdom.
His hobbies include-play lawn tennis, squash and reading.
Admiral Ajayi is Someone who has been able to Set a Standard of Excellence through his tremendous Services to humanity. He exemplifies the Spirit of Philanthropy through extraordinary support towards community development Programs in the Community where he comes from. He has always been leading by example in the giving of time and financial resources.
It’s important to note that our Award recognizes a Significant and enduring commitment to Philanthropy through direct philanthropic support Service that Support Charitable causes of other Philanthropic initiatives to improve people’s lives in the Society.
This Award is meant to Celebrate him because he embodies integrity, leadership and accomplishment that defines excellence in the field of Philanthropy.
Admiral Ajayi is an individual who always take Stands on issues important to him and willing to push himself to Still do better to make life easy for those in need.
His love for the less privileged made him to established a Scholarship Scheme meant to take care of the indigent Students across Kabba/Bunu LGA of Kogi State and this Scholarship is an incredible source of Financial Assistance to the less Privileged Students who find it difficult to care for basic necessities in School and most importantly Payment of their School Fees.
According to Hon. Olakunle Jagun who received the Award on behalf of Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi said the Awardee is someone whose whole life bore a shining Stamp of Sincerity and truth which he always loved and advocated with Socratic Passion. Hon. Olakunle Jagun further said the Awardee has in so many ways equipped many of the young ones to overcome difficulties to achieve success in their various endeavors. He also said the Scholarship Program initiated by Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi is basically meant to Shape the lives of young impressionable Students to give them hope of a better tomorrow and also bring out the best in them.
The Chairman of Kogi Youth Development Association, Comr. Olorunhudo Samuel Taiwo thanked Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi for being a blessing to the “Have Not” Through his tremendous Services to humanity. He also thanked him for bringing up a Scholarship Program meant to equip the less Privilege Students to have access to care for basic necessities in School most importantly, payment of their School Fees.
In his final words, Comr. Olorunhudo Samuel Taiwo appreciate him for given the less Privilege Students and Youths the opportunity to have the best of hope that tomorrow will be greater than today.
Congratulations Sir.
