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Mr. Alani Ogunlade
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Alani Ogunlade who likes to be known
as the 'Village Boy' was born in Oshoba Village, Ifo Local Government in
Ogun State, Nigeria. His father, Joseph Oniyiku Ogunlade was an elder in
the village when Alani was a child. Alani attended the elders meetings
where the affairs of the village were deliberated with his father. In
African Culture, A young person does not talk in elders meeting. 'You
listen and absorb a wealth of wisdom', says Alani. According to Alani,
he learnt the basics of excellent customer service and selling on credit
from his mother.
Alani grew up as a favorite son of the village community. He started his
schooling at Christ Church School, Oshoba. In 1958, Alani moved to
Lagos, former capital city of Nigeria. He attended Saint Finbars College
in Lagos for his secondary school education. He traveled to United
States in 1970 making his first stop in Washington D. C. He received his
Undergraduate degree in Accounting from Bowie State University Bowie,
Maryland
While in Washington D.C., he worked at The Museum of African Art which
is now part of the Smithsonian Institute. He moved to Atlanta in 1976 to
pursue graduate studies at Georgia State University where he received
his MBA in Risk Management and Insurance. He was instructor of Risk
Management and Insurance at Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta
University. He served as Finance Director for Economic Opportunity
Atlanta.
Since 1985, he has owned and operated State Farm insurance Agency in
College Park. Georgia. Alani is very involved in his community
especially in the schools and youth programs.
Alani had many sweet memories of his village, such as waving to Queen
Elizabeth of United Kingdom, who was passing through the village during
Her cross country train tour of Nigeria before the country’s
independence in 1960; religious and cultural festivals and moonlight
story telling series. The most profound is his inclusion in the drumming
and masquerade society of the village at an early age.
On moving to Atlanta in 1976, Alani co-founded
the African Dance Ensemble with late Dr. King Farouk Brimah. The group
has been transformed into a major cultural group in United States under
the name Heritage Drummers and Dancers.
Alani and his wife Vickie are blessed with a son, Olatoye, and daughter,
Omobola. They are members of Cascade United Methodist Church and reside
in Sandtown Community of South Fulton in Atlanta Georgia.
Alani Ogunlade is very involved in community
activities in United States as well as Nigeria. He is the founder and
President of KAVA (Keep A Village Alive),
www.kava-africa.org, a
non-profit
organization committed to improving
quality lives in African Villages. In 2004, KAVA built a modern eight
classrooms elementary school in Oshoba Village. He is a member of the
Board of African Children Fund, Board member of the Arts Exchange in
Atlanta, Business Partner with Clayton County Schools
 | Birthday: Jan 30 |
| Birthplace: Nigeria |
| State of Origin: Ogun
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| Education: Graduated, B.sc in
Accounting & MBA in Risk Management & Insurance |
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Contributions/Service to the Nigerian
Community in Diaspora:
- Promotion of African Culture in US
- Founded African Cultural Dance Company in
1977 for this purpose
- Has performed for numerous organizations,
dignitaries including the former President Olusegun Obasanjo of
Nigeria for free,
- Currently, building a cultural and
learning center in his village of Oshoba
- Center will focus on promoting African
Culture locally as well as on international level
- Has contributed immensely towards
supporting fundraising effort events in local nonprofit
organizations in Atlanta (eg Eko Club Atlanta $1500)
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| "Let the
house rat hear and pass the message along to the bush rat",
....King's town crier |
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