Olaokun, first child of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, is a medical doctor who practised as a physician in the UK before founding and publishing the British Journal of Cardiology. He was an active member of the Nigerian pro-democracy movement and General Secretary of NALICON (National Liberation Council of Nigeria). He was also a member of New Nigeria Forum where he collaborated with Dr Kayode Fayemi to publish NigeriaNow, the pro-democracy newsletter.
He, along with a small team of activists (Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kayode Fayemi and Wole Soyinka) worked together to establish Radio Free Nigeria which was later renamed Radio Kudirat, a shortwave station, which broadcast daily to Nigeria. He returned to Nigeria in 1998, following the death of military Head of State, Sani Abacha.
He was, at a time, the Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, where he spearheaded the establishment of Araya, a Community-based Health Insurance Scheme.
Credit: Ethnic African Stories
