HAPPY 60TH DIAMOND JUBILEE BIRTHDAY TO CHARLEAN JIDE OLUKANNI.
SCOBA CEC felicitates with Charlean Olajide Edward Olukanni a.k.a Eddie Okonta/Eddie Kumalo (Stanza 789/SCOBA UK CHAPTER) as he celebrates his landmark Diamond Jubilee (60th) birthday, today (02/11/2020).
Charlean Olukanni was born on November 2, 1960 to Late Pa Oladapo Olukanni and Late Madam Modupe Olukanni. He started Primary School at age 5 - at St. Peter's Primary School, Isona, Ilesa; gained admission into St. Charles' Grammar School, Osogbo in September 1973, but left in September 1977 at the beginning of his First Term in Form 4 to live with his mother in Ibadan. He completed his secondary education at Ibadan boys high School, Ibadan.
After his WASCE, he gained employment into National Bank of Nigeria Limited (Ogunpa Branch, Ibadan) as a Clerk between 1979 and 1983.
Thereafter, he gained admission to Emile Woolfe College of Accountancy, Handcourt Holborn in London, where he studied Banking from 1983 to 1986. Between 1986-1988, he registered with the London Chamber of Commerce and underwent a professional training and examination that culminated in his obtaining a Diploma in Management Studies and an MBA. In 1988, he joined the Civil Service at Saint Katherine House Kingsway Road, Holborn EC1 in the Marriages and General Department, as a young Graduate/ Executive Officer.
He later got a job at the University of East London at the age of 40 for a new challenge. Whilst he was a member of staff at the University of East London as a Facility Personnel, he had a privilege to study again. This time, he studied Law on scholarship in the same university between 2000-2005 and obtained an LL.B (Hons) and an LL.M (specialising in International Law). These afforded him the opportunity of then registering as a Graduate Member with the Institute of Legal Executives.
Upon qualification, he got a job at the Citizen Advice Bureau at Cranbrook Road, Ilford, London as an Advisor in Legal Matters. Not done, upwardly mobile Edward later moved to work at the Redbridge Council doing the same job for 4 years; and then to Havering for 10years; and Camden for 1year and presently at Newham Council, practising Criminal Law, Litigation, Enforcement and collecting revenue for the Local Authority via prosecutions.
On the side, he started a retail private business in 1995, specifically in Nigerian grocery fruits, fish and Butcher Shop at Tower Bridge Road, Bermondsey, SE London. Very resourceful Eddie added another shop to this at Forest Gate Sebert Road E7 ONL, London in 1998. A jolly good fellow, a very strong member of SCOBA UK Chapter, Charlean Olukanni is also an active and financially responsible member of Stanza 789, his distant location away from home notwithstanding.
Also known as Eddie Okonta and Eddie Kumalo, Jide loves and enjoys all sports, especially Boxing and MMA simply because of Nigeria's two great stars Anthony Joshua (AJ) and Israel Adesanya. *It is still a mystery to him how he came about those nicknames that have stuck over several decades now*
We remember his cousin, Late Charlean Ishola Owosho (also a member of Stanza 789), who passed on a few years back. May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace.
Charlean Jide Olukanni is happily married to Mrs. Happy Olukanni and both are blessed with 7 children (5 girls and 2 boys) and 3 grandchildren.
The Central Executive Council rejoices with Eddie, his wonderful family, Stanza 789, SCOBA UK, friends and associates on this landmark Diamond Jubilee birthday. We wish him many happy returns in good health, successful endeavors and longer life.
Big congratulations, Eddie!
Signed:
Pius Adesakin
Publicity Secretary
SCOBA CEC 2018/20
