Hurray!!! Mr. Joseph Adeleke Alassan is today marking three scores and ten on the planet earth courtesy of the mercy and special grace of God who has spared his life throughout his journey in life. Truly speaking, God has been very gracious to him and his immediate family to have witnessed this special day. The holy book for the Christians–the Holy Bible, in Psalms 90:12 says, “Teach us how to count our days, so that we may acquire a heart of wisdom.” This is a call to all believers of God to always be appreciative of Him for keeping them alive to see a new day, week, month and year. To see any of these times mentioned above is by the special grace of God and He must be given all the honours and adoration.
For many who may not know
Mr. Joseph Adeleke Alassan, here is a brief run-down of his bio-data.
Mr. Joseph Adeleke Alassan, mni is an erudite urban planner and astute administrator, he was born on 6th February, 1953. He is a native of Ogori in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Young Joseph started his journey in education right from his community, Ogori and in 1966, he was already admitted to Ocheja Secondary School and graduated from there in 1970. He later proceeded to Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State between 1971 and 1972 for his ‘A’ level programme. Adeleke graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State where he bagged Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology in 1976. He obtained M.Sc. in Urban and Regional Planning in 1979. He equally obtained a certificate from University College, London in Urban Land Use Planning in 1982. Mr. Alassan was at United Nations Center for Regional Development in Nagoya, Japan for a certificate course in Regional Development in 1988.
His search for a thorough professionalism in his chosen field of study took him to Potchesftrom University, South Africa where he obtained United Nations Environmental Programme Sponsored Certificate course on Environmental Technology Assessment in 1996.
Alassan’s dedication to duty as well as his powerful vision for a well-planned towns and cities in Kogi State earned him sponsorship to attend a one year managerial course at the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Mr. Joseph Adeleke Alassan was employed by the Kwara State government as pupil town planning officer in 1977. In 2003, Alassan rose to become a director of environment in Kogi State and he served as a permanent secretary between 2003 through 2012. After his retirement from active service, Mr. Alassan was appointed as the Chief Technical Adviser to the United Nations HABITAT (Kogi Structure Plan) in 2013, a job he performed well to the admiration of Kogi State government.
He is a renowned environmental expert and consultant to a number of factories across the country. He is involved in structure plan development for at least four cities in Kogi State under the United Nations HABITAT. He has been in the forefront for the planning of tourism proposals and activities for Kogi State as well as for Lokoja Anglican Diocese. He has been a member of planning and master plan implementation committees of the proposed Walter Miller University, Diko. Equally, Mr. Alassan is the Deputy Registrar Land, Lokoja Anglican Diocese. Currently too, he is an assistant coordinator of the Children Sunday School, Crowther Memorial Church, Lokoja.
Mr. Alassan is loving, hardworking, selfless, honest and committed to whatever he is assigned to do. He is strongly committed to serving God through his church, the Anglican Church Communion and humanity. He is prayerful for the peace of the nation.
It is noteworthy to mention here that Mr. Alassan has paid his dues at community level. He has strong passion for Ogori in all areas of its development. He has passion to help the younger generations in area of counseling, finance and material support to them. The aged too have benefited from his largesse for many years in the past.
Mr. Alassan is a winner of several awards and accolades across Nigeria. He is a recipient of Outstanding Service Award from Lokoja Anglican Diocese during her Silver Jubilee anniversary as well as the Best Practices Award by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Planning Consultative Forum Initiative in 2004. He is happily married and the marriage is blessed with children.
Finally, the 6th day in the month of February every year will always be remembered in the life of this great man, family and friends. It is an occasion to thank God for His provision, protection, kindness, care and support since stepping on this planet. As Mr. Alassan clocks 70 years today, it is a wonderful thing to thank almighty God for allowing him to see every minute of his life, a life no mortal can control. It is on this strong reason that some of his close associates join other Nigerians to thank God for graciously adding a year to his age today. We spiritedly felicitate with him on this special occasion of his birthday. We heartily toast his gracious and celebrated life and pray that the good God to bless his new age with his heart’s desires. Have a swell birthday and rejoice in God. Happy birthday sir!
—Mr. Felix Udebu and Associates