Rear Admiral Olufemi Olumide OFR; mni; NN (Rtd); FNSE; was born on 6th April 1938 to Emmanuel Adeoye Olumide and Agnes Ojuolape Olumide (n. Ajose). He was the third of five children and their second son. He attended the C.M.S. Girls School, Lagos from 1944 to1948. He then went on to the Lagos Baptist Academy, Lagos between 1949 and 1952. From there, he proceeded to Igbobi College, Yaba, for his A-Level from 1953 to 1957. He was admitted subsequently in the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology, Ibadan Branch from 1958 to 1960. From there he moved to the Zaria branch of the same institution from 1960 to 1963. He qualified B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering in 1963. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy as a Direct Entry Engineering Officer in July 1963 with the rank of Probationary Sub-Lieutenant in the Department of Marine Engineering.
He served the nation in key positions including Federal Civil Commissioner, Member Federal Executive Council and Member Supreme Military Council from July 1975 to February 1976. He was Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Transport during the General Yakubu Gowon administration and later, Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Works and Housing during the late Murtala Muhammed administration. Between 1976 and 1978 he was appointed a member of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Governing Council by the government of the day.
He attended several specialist Engineering courses including Direct Entry Sub-Lieutenants Course at H.M.S. Victory, Portsmouth, U.K from 1963 to 1964, Marine Engineering Specialist Course H.M.S Sultan, Gosport, U.K., with Sea-Time service on H.M.S. Monkton (a Royal Navy Mine-Sweeper) from 1964 to 1965, Gunnery School, H.M.S. Excellent, Portsmouth, U.K. in 1965.
He also attended a Post-graduate Naval Architecture Engineering/Constructors Course at Royal Naval Engineering College, Manadon, Plymouth U.K., P.G Engineering Course Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, U.K., and University College, London 1966 to 1969. Rear Admiral Olumide also attended Senior Staff courses and the Naval Shipyard Management Course, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, U.S. in 1973. He was a member of the pioneer Senior Executive Officers' Course No 1 (SEC 1), National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State from 1979 to 1980.
The flagship NNS Aradu, a frigate conceived and built to specification for the Nigerian Navy was delivered on 21st December 1981. This project, the first of its kind, materialized under his supervision. It is an enduring testament of his engineering prowess. He was fondly referred to as the "Father" of the vessel.
During the course of his career, Rear Admiral Olumide held several positions and special appointments some of which are:
Officer-in-charge Naval Dockyard (9th October 1972 - 12th March 1973); General Manager Naval Dockyard (23rd June 1973 - 4th November 1973); Flotilla Technical Officer (5th November 1973 – 10th June 1974); Flag Officer Naval Dockyard (23rd October 1978 – 9th January 1979); Chief of Material Naval Headquarters (10th January 1979 – 30th November 1982);
As Base Engineering Officer (B.E.O) Naval Base, N.N.S. Beecroft, Apapa 1963 – 1965 and Marine Engineering Officer (M.E.O) afloat, N.N.S 'Nigeria' (Frigate Flagship) last year of Civil War. 1969 to 1970. He retired from active service in December 1983 as Rear Admiral. In 1983 he received the Order of Merit and was decorated with the insignia of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, O.F.R.
He retired to Abeokuta, his home town, in 1983 after a distinguished career. He loved farming and engaged in numerous church and community development programs in his retirement. He is survived by his wife Mrs Adeola Durotimi Olumide (n. Banjoko) and seven children: Michael Olusegun Olumide, Adedayo Benjamins-LANIYI (n. Olumide) & Olatunde Benjamins-LANIYI, Oluwakemi Watchorn (n. Olumide), Ojuolape Abili (n. Olumide) & Kanayo Abili, Oluwayemisi Akinjide-Akosile (n. Olumide) & Akinjide Akosile, Iyadunni Olubode (n. Olumide) & Olusegun Olurotimi Olubode, Emmanuel Adeoye & Theresa Anunsu Olumide (n. Unah) and grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings; Prof Olufolabi & Mrs Folasade Olumide (n. Solarin), Rev Oluseye Olumide, Arc. Olufolahan & Mrs Temilola Olumide (n. Oluyemi). He was predeceased by his parents Emmanuel Adeoye & Agnes Ojuolape Olumide and his elder sister Mrs Olufunmilayo Denloye (n. Olumide).
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY FOTOLIGHTHOUSE.
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