The Life and Times of Ex-Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade.
By Sesan Akinbowale
Navy Captain (Rtd) Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade was a man whose life was steeped in service—first to the Navy, then to the state, and finally to the nation.
A decorated officer, administrator, minister, and politician, his journey reflected discipline, ambition, and patriotism. His passing on May 11, 2025, marked the end of an era for many who saw him as a pillar of leadership and integrity.
His Birth and Early Life
Born on 30 November 1954 in Ipoti-Ekiti, a town in present-day Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Caleb Olubolade was raised in a traditional Yoruba setting. His early life was rooted in values of hard work, discipline, and service—qualities that would come to define his public and private personas.
Education and Military Training
Driven by a passion for national service, Olubolade was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 1974. His academic and professional training was both rigorous and international. He attended the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College in the United Kingdom in 1975 and later proceeded to the Naval College of Engineering in India in 1979. These experiences sharpened his skills and laid the foundation for a distinguished military career.
Career in the Navy
As a naval officer, Olubolade rose steadily through the ranks. His career was marked by dedication, discipline, and a profound sense of duty. By the end of his military tenure, he had become a Navy Captain, a position from which he eventually retired in 1999 with honor.
Appointment as Bayelsa Military Administrator
On 9 June 1997, during General Sani Abacha’s military regime, Olubolade was appointed the first Military Administrator of the newly created Bayelsa State. In this role, he was instrumental in laying the foundation for governance and cultural identity in the young state. Notably, on 4 May 1998, he established the Bayelsa State Council for Arts & Culture, a legacy that endures.
Life as a Federal Minister
Following Nigeria’s return to democratic rule, Olubolade's contributions continued at the federal level. On 6 April 2010, under Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, he was appointed Minister of Special Duties. Over the years, he also served as Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and later as Minister of Police Affairs, roles through which he impacted national security policies and public administration.
Adventure Into Politics
Olubolade's foray into partisan politics saw its peaks and challenges. In 2006, he was briefly arrested during a House of Representatives by-election in Ekiti South II Federal Constituency, an episode that did little to deter his ambition. Initially aligned with the Action Congress (AC), he later joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the same year.
He went on to serve as Chairman of the Ekiti State Project Monitoring Committee under Governor Segun Oni. In 2014, he was a front-runner for the PDP governorship ticket in Ekiti State and officially declared his ambition on 22 February 2014 at the PDP State Secretariat in Ado Ekiti.
How He Died
On 11 May 2025, tragedy struck. Olubolade, at age 70, slumped while playing lawn tennis at a local sports facility in Apapa, Lagos. Despite immediate efforts to revive him, he was later pronounced dead at Obisesan Naval Medical Hospital. His death was confirmed in a statement by his children, Oluwayemisi Akinadewo and Dayo Olubolade, who highlighted his active and independent lifestyle until his final moments.
Condolence Messages
The news of Olubolade’s death triggered an outpouring of grief from across the country. In a heartfelt message, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, Minister of Police Affairs, described him as “a true leader and dedicated servant to our nation.” He noted Olubolade’s “unwavering commitment to the security sector” and emphasized that his legacy would live on.
Gaidam also added, “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of a statesman who served with honor and integrity. May his spirit of leadership inspire generations to come.”
A Life Remembered
Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade's journey was one of service—from his youthful days in Ekiti to the helm of state and national leadership. A soldier, an administrator, a minister, and a statesman, he leaves behind a legacy of courage, competence, and commitment to the Nigerian nation.
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