Alani Bankole
Chief Suarau Olayiwola Alani Bankole is a Nigerian Egba businessman and chieftain from Ogun State. He was the Chairman of West African Aluminum Products Plc.[1] He holds the Yoruba aristocratic titles of the Oluwo of Iporo Ake and the Seriki Jagunmolu of Egbaland.[2]
Education and personal life
He is an alumnus of the prestigious Baptist Boys' High School in Abeokuta.[3] He was married to Atinuke Bankole, the Ekerin Iyalode of Egbaland, amongst his other wives; their son is Dimeji Bankole, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.[2] He is also the founder of Freight Agencies Nigeria Ltd, the first freight company in West Africa. Some of his protégés include, Chief Sanya Abiola Chairman CEO Altimax Metal Industries and several captains of industries, governors, senators and house of representatives members.
Political career
He was an Ogun State gubernatorial candidate on three separate occasions;[4] he ran on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1979[5] and again 1983, but was replaced by Soji Odunjo the latter year. He joined the National Republican Party (NRC) in 1989, and later became a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party. He became National Vice Chairman[6] and later acting National Chairman before leaving that party for the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in 2000.[2]
In 2004, he predicted a reorganization of Nigerian politics in which the ANPP, PDP, and Alliance for Democracy (AD) would break apart and the remnants would regroup as two parties.[7]
References
- Odebode, Niyi (2007-08-16). "MAN backs NIPC on investment issues". Punch Online.
- Adeyemo, Ademola (2007-11-02). "Bankole the Father…". Thisday online. Leaders & Company. Archived from the original on 2007-11-03. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
- Folarin, Dare (2004-01-24). "It's 81 Years of BBHS!". Thisday online. Leaders & Company. Archived from the original on 2005-12-04. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
- Bamidele, Yemi (2007-11-07). "My son won't be a stooge –Bankole's father". Daily Trust online. Retrieved 2007-11-17.
- Okoror, Fred. "Ex-ANPP chief, Bankole, backs emergency rule". The Guardian. BNW. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
- Adebayo, Moshood (2007-11-02). "Dimeji can't afford to fail – Father". The Sun News On-line. The Sun Publishing. Archived from the original on 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
- Oyinlola, Muyiwa (2004-07-03). "PDP, ANPP and AD will break-up and fuse into two parties – Bankole, PDP chief". The Sun. BNW. Retrieved 2007-11-04.