Profile of the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The newly-elected Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, is a man of many parts who has distinguished himself as a politician, technocrat, businessman, and philanthropist.
Early Life and Education
Born on September 19th, 1948, into the Ajimoko royal family of Ijesaland in Osun State, Prince Haastrup attended Eko Boys High School from 1963 to 1967. He later proceeded to the Federal School of Science for his A-levels and earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Politics and Public Service
Upon his return to Nigeria in 1981, Prince Haastrup ventured into politics and was elected as the Deputy Governor of Osun State in 1990. He championed public sector reforms in Nigeria and executed various projects for federal and state governments. He secured public-private participation contracts with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Federal Housing Authority Nigeria (FHA) and executed multidisciplinary projects for the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Department of Solid Minerals in Nigeria.
Business Career
Despite his success in politics, Haastrup recognised that his true calling lay elsewhere. After completing his tenure as deputy governor, he turned his focus to business and entrepreneurship. In 2002, he founded ENL Consortium Limited, which has grown into a conglomerate with interests in power, port operations, hospitality, estate development, and more. He has also chaired various non-political and political establishments, such as the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation and the Electoral Committee for Gubernatorial, Senatorial, and Representative Primary Elections, among others.
Philanthropy and Family Life
Prince Haastrup is a devoted philanthropist, with his foundation, the Clement Adesuyi Haastrup Foundation (CAH Foundation), providing educational scholarships to students locally and internationally. He is happily married with children and a devoted Christian.
