One of those prominent personalities who made the list of 19 Nigerians on the second batch of President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial nominees is Dr Iziaq Adekunle Adeboye Salako.
The President’s Chief of Staff, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, had on July 26th delivered the long-awaited list of the second batch of ministerial nominees to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who, without much ado, read it to his colleagues during plenary in the upper legislature and all Nigerians, as well.
And among the 19 new ministerial nominees is Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Adeboye SALAKO.
Salako, who hails from Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, is many things rolled into one. He’s a reputable Public Health Physician, health activist, politician, public analyst, community mobilizer, writer and radio presenter.
No doubt, his highly elated kinsmen across the five local government areas of Ogun West are upbeat about the news of his nomination by President Tinubu as one of his Ministers-designate. This is not surprising, as his appointment is coming decades after a Minister was last chosen from the marginalised Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State.
Politically, Salako has fought many battles on this very rough and murky turf and recorded myriads of victories. Recently, as the Director-General of the Yayi Campaign Organisation (YAYICO), he pulled his political weight, mobilised his people, both in the urban centres and the grassroots of Yewa/Awori to successfully deliver Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly called Yayi, in the 2023 National Assembly election as the Senator for Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State.
No doubt, his highly elated kinsmen across the five local government areas of Ogun West are upbeat about the news of his nomination by President Tinubu as one of his Ministers-designate. This is not surprising, as his appointment is coming decades after a Minister was last chosen from the marginalised Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State
Academically, he holds an MBBS degree from the prestigious University of Lagos (UNILAG) and a Master in Public Health from the Lagos State University (LASU). Salako is a certified Colposcopist and Sonologist.
Dr Salako’s tour of duty as a medical personnel has seen him working in different places across the Nigerian landscape. He has worked in many tertiary health institutions, including the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Onicha General Hospital, Ebonyi State, St Raphel Hospital, Lagos, Mucas Hospital, Lagos and the Lagos State Health Service Commission, where he rose to the position of a Senior Medical Officer before leaving the government job to pursue other visions and endeavours.
By dint of hard work, resilience and due to his untiring community activities and impactful youth mobilization efforts, this grassroots mobiliser was appointed a Commissioner in Ogun State in 2007 without being a card-carrying member of any of the then existing political parties.
His impactful stewardship as a Commissioner during this period saw him serving in three different strategic ministries – Agriculture, Housing and Health. In these ministries, Salako proved his dexterity and competence by introducing some innovations which promoted public health and the general welfare of the good people of Ogun State.
And for these unprecedented feats he achieved while superintending over these three key ministries, several reputable organisations and bodies, even beyond the confines of his home state of Ogun, including The Nigerian Tribune Newspapers, Lions International Club (District 404), Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Property and Environmental Writers Association of Nigeria, Lagos Housing Fair, Nigeria Union of Journalist, National Association of Resident Doctors (LUTH Branch) and the Yewa Traditional Council, to mention a few, duly recognized him with awards and other laurels. In continuation of his award-winning streaks, in 2020, Salako was appointed as the Chairman, Ogun Hospitals Management Board and he was subsequently adjudged the ‘Best Government Parastatal Chairman’ in the state in 2021 by the Gateway News Magazine.
This highly experienced medical personnel is also the pioneer President of Majo Noble Club of Ayetoro (MANCA). Salako is the visioner of the great club, who alongside others, built the foundation that has sustained and lifted MANCA to its current high pedestal of enviable achievements and recognition.
The activist was also a student leader, who served in several capacities, including as President, Association of Medical Students University of Lagos; Vice President, Federation of Africa Medical Students Association and Parliamentarian/Caucus Leader, University of Lagos Student Union.
Politically, Salako has fought many battles on this very rough and murky turf and recorded myriads of victories. Recently, as the Director-General of the Yayi Campaign Organisation (YAYICO), he pulled his political weight, mobilised his people, both in the urban centres and the grassroots of Yewa/Awori to successfully deliver Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly called Yayi, in the 2023 National Assembly election as the Senator for Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State
Professionally, Salako is a member, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria and the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA). He served as the Publicity Secretary of the Lagos State branch of the NMA between 1993 and 1994.
While serving his fatherland through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in 1994/1995, Salako emerged one of the top 10 youth corps members in the old Abia State. He also won the Golden Handshake Award of President Jimmy Carter of the United States of America for his efforts at eradicating Guinea Worm that had hitherto ravaged the population in Onicha Local Government Area of old Abia State (now Ebonyi State).
Dr Salako has also been involved in many voluntary activities and is currently serving as a member of the Advisory Board of Quality Management Development Institute, Lagos; member, Afisu Olabimtan Foundation, Ilaro; Secretary, Board of Trustees, HOW Foundation, Abeokuta, and Secretary, Board of Trustees, Ayetoro Central Initiative for Development.
Salako also sits on the Board of some profit-making organisations and he is currently the Chairman of Klasik Healthtech and Pharma Nigeria Ltd, Remade Pharmacy and Health Stores and SetUp Solar Nigeria Ltd.
This highly experienced and reputable medical practitioner is also well-travelled. He has attended conferences and delivered papers in many professional fora both in Nigeria and in other countries across the world, including Accra, Ghana, United Kingdom (UK), London, New-Delhi, India and Ottawa, Canada.
Dr Salako is happily married with children.