HON. CHIEF (MRS) ALICE MOBOLAJI OSOMO
(Director)
HON. CHIEF (MRS) ALICE MOBOLAJI OSOMO
Profile
HON. CHIEF (MRS) ALICE MOBOLAJI OSOMO was born on 23rd June 1936 into the Royal family of Gbaluwe of Igbotu in Ese-Odo Local Government of Ondo State. Her parents were ALBERT IYIADE GOGO, a Prince of Igbotu and SADIAT GOGO, and a descendant of Onikoyi family of Lagos who married into the Royal Family of Igbotu.
She had her Primary Education between 1944 and 1948 at Igbobini Methodist School and between 1949 – 1952, she attended the Methodist Girls’ School Shagamu, Ogun State, a school run and managed by the Missionaries, among who were Rev. and Mrs. Mellor and Miss A. C. Layzell.
She attended the United Missionary College, Ibadan, Oyo State between the years 1953 – 1955, and thereafter embarked on a Teaching career. She practiced in the teaching profession for a few years teaching in different schools in the then Western Region. Her teaching ability was recognized and she was awarded a scholarship by the Western Region Government of the LATE OBAFEMI AWOLOWO to pursue a diploma in Education at the North Riding Teachers Training College Scarborough, Yorkshire, England between 1960 and 1962.
She later enrolled at the Inner Temple Inns of Court, London to study Law. She qualified as a Barrister at Law and was called to the English Bar in 1967. Upon her return to Nigeria, she attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1968.
HON. CHIEF (MRS) A. M. OSOMO entered the Legal Practice soon after leaving the Nigerian Law School and was in active practice between 1968 – 1979, having established a practice vast in all areas of the Law with a particular emphasis on Land Law, Real Estate Development and Conveyancing Matters.
In the second Republic, she participated in politics and joined the Unity Party of Nigeria. She was a staunch follower of the party in Ondo State and in 1979, she was made the Commissioner for Trade, Industries and Co-operatives, a position she held until 1983, when the 2nd Republic was terminated.
As the Commissioner for Trade, Industries and Cooperatives, she worked diligently to ensure the establishment of numerous industries and cooperatives amongst which were the Ire Bunt Bricks Bricks factory, Ire-Ekiti, Oluwa Glass Industries, Igbokoda, Ile-Oluji Cocoa Industries, Ile-Oluji, Ifon Ceramics, Ifon, Confidence Insurance Company Limited, Owena Bank Plc, and scores of Cooperative Societies and small scale Industries.
Her performance as Commissioner for Trade Industries and Cooperatives was commended by the late PA ADEKUNLE AJASIN in whose cabinet she served as well as collogues in the cabinet and the citizens of the then Ondo State (now Ondo and Ekiti States). As a result of her performance whilst a Commissioner in the cabinet of PA ADEKUNLE AJASIN, the late Elder statesman, nominated her to serve in the cabinet of the late head of State GEN. SANI ABACHA from 1993 to February 1995 as Minister of Establishment and Management Services. She acquitted herself creditably having been responsible for Implementing Civil Service reforms and harmonizing of pensions of Civil Servants within a short period of her stay.
The late PA ADEKUNLE AJASIN once referred to her as a “Woman of Integrity and Ability”. She was made a Director of NICON Insurance Plc between 2001 – 2003 by PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, who also appointed her Minister of Housing, Lands and Urban Development in 2003 – 2005. Within the short period of her stay in the Federal Ministry of Housing, she made indelible impact on the ministry.
On her 70th Birthday Celebration, PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO wrote this “The nation salutes your contributions to its development as a politician, administrator and manager in the housing sector. You have been a worthy role model to our women folks and girls, and enriched the lives of many who had the opportunity of coming into contact with you. Even during moments of crisis and adversity which punctuate every public officers career you have weathered the storm with equanimity and commendable dignity”.
Her involvement in the Private Sector has been extremely rewarding. She has been responsible for the development of many Housing Estates in various parts of Lagos State, one of which is Estaport Estate, Ikeja where CHIEF M. K. O. ABIOLA resided. She is the Chairman of Estaport Group of Companies, comprising companies that deal in Real Estates, Mortgage Banking, Education and Agriculture. She is the head of Chambers of A. M. OSOMO & CO. She is currently Chancellor of the Missionary Diocese of Irele-Ese Odo Anglican Communion.
She was married to Late CHIEF ADEKUNLE OSOMO for over thirty years before his demise in 1992; it was indeed a happy marriage blessed with children, who have become successful professionals in their own rights as well as Grandchildren. She is widely travelled and she enjoys reading, writing and music during her leisure.