Christopher Oluwole Rotimi

Christopher Oluwole Rotimi (born 20 February 1935) is a retired Nigerian Army brigadier general, diplomat and politician, he served during the Nigerian Civil War, and was the Governor of Western State while Nigeria was under military rule from 1971 to 1975. Oluwole Rotimi became the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States in 2007.[1]

For other people named Rotimi, see Rotimi.
Brigadier general
Christopher Oluwole Rotimi
Governor Western State
In office
1 April 1971 – July 1975
Preceded byRobert Adeyinka Adebayo
Succeeded byAkin Aduwo
Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States of America
In office
March 2008 – 9 October 2009
LieutenantNull
Preceded byGeorge Obiozor
Succeeded byTunde Adeniran
Personal details
Born (1935-02-20) 20 February 1935
Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
Political partyUnknown
Alma materKing's College, Lagos
University College Ibadan
OccupationSoldier
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Rank Brigadier general

Early life

Oluwole Rotimi was born 20 February 1935, in Abeokuta, Nigeria to a Yoruban family.[2] He attended Agooko Methodist School, Lisabi school, Olowogbowo Methodist School as well as Kings College Lagos, after which he earned a BA at the University College Ibadan.

Oluwole Joined the Nigerian Army in 1960 and served as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He rose to become the first African Deputy Quartermaster General and the third non-white Quartermaster General of the Nigerian Army in 1966. During the Nigerian Civil War Oluwole Rotimi provided logistics support for the Federal Government's war efforts. He became the commander of the Ibadan Garrison between 1969 and 1970.[3][4]

Governor of Western State

After the war Oluwole Rotimi became the Military Governor of Western State of Nigeria in 1971, under Yakubu Gowon in succession to Brigadier Adeyinka Adebayo.[5][6] During his time as governor, the state had peace and development.[7]

Projects As Governor
  • The Cement Factory at Shagamu
  • The Wire and Cable Factory in Ibadan
  • The Ceramic Factory in Abeokuta
  • The Wood Processing Factory in Ondo
  • The palm oil Mill at Okitipupa.

1975 coup

In 1975, Oluwole Rotimi was removed from office as governor of Western Nigeria after the 1975 coup d'état. The following administration led by General Murtala Mohammed, commissioned a panel to investigate corruption amongst that past governors of the past administration. Oluwole Rotimi, together with Mobolaji Johnson-Brigadier (Lagos State Governor) was one of the only two governors exonerated.[8]

Under Obasanjo

In 1999 Gen. Oluwole Rotimi was appointed by the President Olusegun Obasanjo as the Head of a Commission of Inquiry for the Investigation of Federal Government Landed Property.[9]

Oluwole Rotimi was honored with a National Award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2003.

In 2005, Oluwole Rotimi was appointed a member of the National Constitutional Review Conference representing his home state-Ogun State.

Ambassador

Oluwole Rotimi became the Ambassador to the United States of America in March 2008.[10][11][12] He was sacked from the post in March 2009 by the President of Nigeria, Umaru Yar'Adua after allegations of insubordination.

References
  1. Oyo State past and present. Nigeria: Ministry of Information, Youth, Sports & Culture. 2002. p. 30.
  2. Siollun (2009) p. 30.
  3. Adebayo Oyebade, Toyin Falola. The foundations of Nigeria. Africa World Press, 2003 ISBN 1-59221-120-8 p. 262.
  4. Olufemi Vaughan. Nigerian Chiefs: Traditional Power in Modern Politics, 1890s–1990s. Boydell & Brewer, 2006 ISBN 1-58046-249-9 pp. 135, 204
  5. Africa contemporary record: annual survey and documents. Colin Legum, Africa Research, Ltd, John Gordon Stewart Drysdale. (eds) Africana Pub. Co., 1977. p. 1959
  6. James J. Olulẹyẹ. Military leadership in Nigeria, 1966–1979. University Press Ltd., 1985 p. 77, 176
  7. Akinola, Anthony. "Rotimi on regionalism and military rule". Guardian NG. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  8. Corrupt soldiers face court martial. African Business. 1 April 1994.
  9. The Illegal Land Deals Archived 1 May 2003 at the Wayback Machine. This Day. 16 November 2004
  10. Brigadier-General (Rtd) Oluwole ROTIMI, CON. Ambassador, March 2008 – March 2009 Archived 26 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine, nigeriaembassyusa.org. Accessed 20 May 2009
  11. Nigeria: Appraising the Ambassadorial List. Nathaniel Jonah. Leadership (Abuja) 9 October 2007.
  12. Chinese incursion into Nigeria: In whose interest? Layi Adeloye and Sulaimon Adenekan. Punch. Sunday, 6 January 2008.
  • Max Siollun. Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture 1966–1976. Algora Publishing, 2009 ISBN 0-87586-708-1 pp. 30, 70, 92, 186–187, 223.


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