What a humble beginning from typical Ibadan parents of Kudeti and Idi- arere descendants, Alhaji & Alhaja Oladimeji Oladejo Arapaja The young Arapaja was born on the second day of the week, Monday 10th November 1958.
His elementary education voyage started in Ibadan Public Day School, Komoboje, between 1966- 1972. He proceeded to Lagelu Grammar School, Agugu, for his Secondary School Education from 1973- 1978. While in Secondary School, he was made President of the Muslim Students’ Society. The role he played beyond expectations and earned him accolade in those times.
His father, Alhaji Oladimeji, was an active political chieftain and ardent follower of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his lifetime. Pa. Oladimeji was a true progressive man and committed Awoist. He lost his life during the Awolowo presidential campaign at Iwo, Osun state. This was about to bring about a kind of delay in his academic pursuit abroad, which later succeeded in January 1980.
He jet off to the United Kingdom in the year mentioned above. He obtained a diploma in marketing from the Institute of Marketing in the UK. He also obtained a diploma in business administration from the University of Wales, Institute of Science, and technology. The young promising Arapaja equally bagged a Masters degree in business administration (finance & marketing) from the same university, Cardiff, UK, precisely December 1986.
Arapaja returned to his father’s land in February 1990 and observed his National Youth Corp Service (NYSC) at the Alluminium Rolling Mills, Ota, Ogun state.
He dabbled into politics in November 1991 and elected as National Delegate (ward 1& 2) in the Ibadan Munipal Government (IMG) for his unprecedented commitments. He contested for House of Representative under SDP and asked to step down by the leaders of the party.
He was elected Chairman, Ibadan South East local government (Mapo) twice between 1992 and 1996. He was elected House of Representative between representing Ibadan South East/North East Federal Constituency from 2003- 2007. He was the Deputy Governor to Late Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala between 2007 and 2011.
He was appointed Ambassador to two different sovereign states of Jeddah and Republic of Iran(Baghdad) on concurrent accreditation, thus making him envoy to two countries simultaneously The unusual record so far.
Arapaja, while in Jordan, facilitated the establishment of the Jordan Chapter of Redeemed Christian Church of God under the supervision of Pastor E. A Adeboye with Pastor Sam Nkama as the pastor in charge.
In November 2014, he installed the Dean of Africa Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, an office held until the 6th of August 2015.
Arapaja was elected as National Vice Chairman (South West) PDP in Osogbo, Osun state. Shortly after, he rose to the Deputy National Chairman PDP (South), the position he is currently holding.
He is the Asiwaju Bashorun Atunluto of Ibadan land confered on him by Late Oba Yusuf Ogundipe Arapasowu 1. The appellation of OLUOMO OF IBADAN LAND was added to his nomenclature by his political father and generalissimo of Oyo state politics, Late High Chief Lamidi Adedibu
He is a member of prestigious institutions such as the Institute of Marketing and International Association of Book- keepers. He is happily married to Chief (Mrs) Abiodun Arapaja and blessed with glorious children.
Arapaja remains a man of political profile in Oyo political history. He has to his credit thousand of followers across Oyo political space, the record is speaking. He remains unsurpassable as a reputable administrator, grassroot politician, humanitarian, and versatile human manager.
