Early life and education
Taiwo Adebowale is a Nigerian civil rights advocate, political activist and grassroots mobilizer. He was born in Gyadi-gyadi in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State on March 28, 1979. He hails from Ipetu-Ijesha in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State. Popularly known as Jante, Taiwo, on the paternal side, is the great grandson of Idaro Olojo, a fearsome amazon and head of a renowned family of rainmakers), and the grandson of Chief James Adebowale Ogunlusi, the Obagbe of Ikeji-Arakeji from the compound of Ejelu, and Elizabeth Olajuyinu from the compound of Chief Faya Ajeboriogbon in Ifofin, Ipetu-Ijesha.
On the maternal side, he is the great grandson of Abigail Omidolapo (Eyejero of Ikeji-Arakeji) in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, and Adelola Magaji from Magaji compound; the grandson of Prophet Gabriel Ogunjemiluyi and Oluwaremilekun Ebire of the Ebire compound of Ikeji-Arakeji.
Jante had his elementary education at Army Children School, Bukafo Barracks, Kano (1986-1991), and secondary education at Government Secondary School, Bwari, Abuja (1993-1999). He then proceeded to the University of Jos, and then the University of Abuja. In Unijos, he was assistant secretary general, National Association of Political Science Students.
Career.
Jante plunged headlong into activism soon after school, working at African Development Studies Centre (ADSC), and as programme officer at Youth Media and Communication Initiative (YMCI), publishers of YOUTHLink magazine. YMCI later metamorphosed into the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL). He has also worked in a variety of projects implemented through Transparency and Anti-corruption Campaign in Africa (TRACA), Polio Eradication Initiative, Faith In Nigeria Initiative, Nigeria Political Embassy and Recruiter Embassy.
He served as member, World Bank Civil Society Consultative Forum, and the National Strategy Group that introduced political volunteerism into politics in Nigeria. Jante is a prominent apostle of volunteerism as an instrument for achieving society’s positive goals. He was volunteer in Make Your Votes Count, a voters’ enlightenment project; YOUTHLink magazine, and Team Ribadu Strategy Group.
A highly enterprising and resourceful individual, Jante as SS2 student was more popular among the students than the school’s head boy. That drive for success, and the burning desire for results have set his eyes firmly on politics where he hopes to make hay from the popular clamour for the youth to take active part in politics and determine the destiny of the country.
With his fluency in English, Yoruba and Hausa and, more important, his passion for service, Jante, who is also a businessman and CEO of Jante Global Links, is poised for an impactful presence in Nigeria’s politics.
