November 26, (THEWILL) – Chief Suarau Alani Bankole, father of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, has emerged as the Apena of Egbaland in Ogun State. He was conferred with the chieftaincy title by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, at a colourful ceremony held in Ake palace, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Oba Gbadebo said that Chief Bankole’s emergence after voting by all the nine kingmakers followed the demise of the former occupant of the seat. According to him, the seat of Apena is statutory in Egbaland, saying the position is a part II Chief and the occupant draws salary and entitlements like other chiefs.
The octogenarian, while thanking the traditional ruler for the honour, promised to bring his experience to bear on the new position. The chieftaincy conferment is coming barely six weeks after his son, Dimeji, welcomed his first child with his second wife, Aisha, the stepdaughter of Atiku Bagudu, current Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, at a London hospital.
Aisha, who has also been a bundle of joy for Bankole, came into his life after the former Speaker and presidential aspirant divorced his first wife, Olaitan, in 2017. He decided to give love a second chance when he tied the knot with Aisha, a lawyer and graduate of the University of Hull in the United Kingdom in 2021.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
