Recent convert to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family, Jimi Agbaje, on Monday clinched the party’s ticket to contest the Lagos State governorship election in 2015. He defeated former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musilu Obanikoro, and others in an exercise tainted by protest and violence. The following are quick facts about the man with the slogan “JayKay is Ok”.
- Joseph Olujimi Kolawole Agbaje was born on March 2, 1957 to Chief Julius Kosebinu (Banker) and Mrs. Margaret Olabisi (teacher) Agbaje.
- He grew up a Catholic and was as a Mass Server in the Church.
- He attended St. Mary’s Private School, Lagos and Corona School, Apapa for his primary education; St. Gregory’s College, Obalende for his secondary education before proceeding to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy), Ile-Ife for his university education.
- A pharmacist by training, he is Managing Director of Jaykay Pharmaceutical & Chemical Company Ltd.
- He is a Fellow, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN); Fellow, West African Post Graduate College of Pharmacists (FPCPharm), and Merit Award Winner (MAW), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (Lagos State).
- He has held various professional appointments which include National Chairman, Nigerian Association of General Practice Pharmacists (1990 – 1993); Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter (1994 – 1997); Chairman, 1994 National Conference Planning committee of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and National Secretary Nigerian Association of General Practice (1987 – 1990).
- He was a member, Lagos State Task Force on Fake and Adulterated Drugs (1989 – 1993), member Essential Drug Formulary and Essential Drugs List (1986 – 1993) and Member Lagos State Hospitals Management Board (1994 – 1997).
- Appointed National Treasurer of Afenifere in 2000. He was Lagos Coordinator of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and member Save Nigeria Group (SNG).
- He contested the 2007 Lagos governorship election on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) with behind the scenes support from aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Congress (AC).
- He sits on the Board of organisations including Vigeo Holdings Limited, Oakwood Park Ltd and Atlantic Hall Secondary School Epe.
- He was awarded the national honour of the Order of The Niger (OON) by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 for his contribution to the pharmacy profession and politics.
- He is married to Abiola (nee Bankole), a lawyer, and they have three adult children (two male and one female).
