Rear Admiral Ezekiel Adewoye Abolarin
Rear Admiral Ezekiel Adewoye Abolarin (rtd) psc+ fwc+ DSS OFR
- EARLY LIFE
Ezekiel Adewoye Abolarin was born in Rore, Irepodun LGA of Kwara State in 1950, and completed his primary education at Rore/Ipetu Community School and Native Authority School OmuAran. From 1965 to 1969, he was at the Government College Zaria (now Barewa College Zaria) for his secondary education and finally completing his Higher Education in Offa Grammar School, Offa in 1970.
- MILITARY CAREER
Abolarin joined course 9 as a cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna on 3 January 1971, proceeding to Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth England in April of the same year. Immediately after been commissioned as an Acting Sub-Lieutenant in May 1973, he proceeded to INS Vendurathy Cochin, India in 1974 for his Sub-Lieutenant technical course and also specialized as a Communication Officer in the same establishment in 1980.
Abolarin attended Command and Staff college, Jaji as a member of CSC Course7 and graduated in July 1985. He also attended National War College Course 4, between August 1995 and July 1996.
- POSTING AND APPOINTMENT
Rear Admiral Abolarin held several appointments both at sea and ashore, some of which are: Flag Lieutenant to Bendel State Military Administrator (Vice Admiral Abdullahi (rtd)) between 1976 – 1977, Commanding Officer NNS JEBBA, Staff Officer Rating at NHQ, Executive Officer NNS AKASO in Port-Harcourt, Officer-in-Charge Seamanship Training School Port-Harcourt and also First Lieutenant Nigerian Naval College – Onura Port-Harcourt. His first major sea Command was as Commanding Officer of a Missile Carrier Fast Attack Patrol Ship-NNS SIRI. He was a Directing Staff at Naval Faculty – CSC Jaji between December 1985 and January 1988; Staff Officer – officers and Director of Personnel Services at Naval Headquarters.
He was Assistant Director – Training, Defence Headquarters; Director of Naval Signals-Naval Headquarters; Secretary to the Chief of Naval Staff between September 1993 and January 1984, Commanding Officer NNS ANANSA (a major base) in Calabar from January 1994 to August 1995. He was also Commanding Officer NNS QUORRA (A Naval Training Establishment in Lagos) from Aug. 96 to Aug. 98; Director of Plans Defence Headquarters from 1998 to 1999.
Other key appointments held between 1999 and 2005 were Directing Staff at National War College Abuja (1999 – 2001), Deputy Commandant Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji-Kaduna (2001 – 2003) and Chief of Administration Defence Headquarters Abuja (2003 – 2005). He retired from the Nigerian Navy in August 2005 after serving for 35years. Rear Admiral Abolarin was conferred with the National Honour Of officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) shortly after his retirement in December 2005 by the then President of Nigeria – Chief OlusegunObasanjo.
- DECORATIONS OF AWARDS
His Decorations and Awards are:
- Decorations
FSS – Forces Service Star
MSS – Meritorious Service Star
DSS – Distinguished Service Star
OFR – Officer of the Federal Republic
- Awards
psc+Passed Staff Course (+)
fwc+ Fellow War College (+)
Admiral Abolarin travelled extensively during his career and after retirement. Some of the notable places he visited were UK, Germany, Italy, Israel, France, Canada, India, China, USA, Russia Federation Turkey, and a number of African countries.
- POST RETIREMENT LIFE
The Admiral has engaged himself after retirement in fish farming and supplies of Communication Equipment to few organizations including the military.
He has also attended Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Bible College and obtained Higher Diploma in Theology. He also attended the school of Discipleship under the same mission.
The Admiral has been honoured by his Community, with a chieftaincy title of Chief Bobatolu of Rore Land, as recognition of his contribution to the Community.
God has used him in no small measure to be a blessing to many in his community and beyond when in the service and in retirement. He is one of the pillars of progress in Rore and has always been ready to contribute his quota towards the upliftment of his community to enviable status.
- MARITAL STATUS
Admiral Abolarin is happily married to Mrs. Ebunoluwa Abolarin and both have 5 children and 8 Grand children. He is Justice of Peace (JP).