In loving memory of our father, Olalekan Akinremi Shobowale Benson, Sr, 75, who passed away on August 2nd.

Olalekan was born on September 9, 1946 to the renowned Shobowale Benson family of Ikorodu, Lagos. His father Chief Abudu Oke Benson was one of the pioneers of transportation

 in Nigeria, The Benson Transportation Service. His mother Agbeke Benson nee Buraimoh came from the Rademo Ruling House. Both parents hailed from Ikorodu, Lagos State. He was the first of his mother's five children.

He attended Ikorodu Methodist for his elementary education. At a young age, he lost his mother and was placed in the care of his uncle, Chief TOS Benson: Minister of Information, Broadcasting & Culture for Nigeria. Chief TOS sent him to the United Kingdom for a year at the age of 12. He then attended CMS Grammar School for secondary school and Adeola Odutola College in Ijebu -Ode for advanced school. He obtained a B.A. in Political Science from Cuttington College Liberia in 1969 through A.I.D. scholarship.

He traveled to the US in 1970 to pursue his Masters in Political Science at UW-Madison. While attending college, he met Louise Young and they were married in 1972. They were blessed to have six children, 4 boys and 2 girls.

Ola’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to start selling African Imports at ‘Strictly African’ at the Grand Avenue Mall in 1983, then open a second store in 1984 at Bayshore Mall called the Talking Drum. He also was the first African business to start selling at Summerfest. He continued to sell at fairs and events in many states throughout his lifetime.

Aside from his family business, Mr. Benson also taught Special Education with Milwaukee Public Schools. He taught for 20 years and he obtained his Master in Special Education from UW-Milwaukee in May 1996. While working in the education field, he worked as a mentor to new teachers with MTEC (Milwaukee Teacher Education Center) and was elected President of MMABSE (Milwaukee Metropolitan Black School Educators). After retiring in 2010, he returned to Nigeria and continued to work in education to improve parent involvement and participation in their children’s education.  He established an education business - Completing the Circle Consultants which provided seminars and workshops with the involvement of the Ministry of Education Lagos State. He has always loved children. Whenever there was a baby in the room, he’d gravitate towards them and would ask if he could hold them. He had great baby calming skills.

Mr. Benson loves the Lord. He contributed in many ways to the development of all the churches he attended; this includes City of Praise in Milwaukee and RCCG in Madison.

Olalekan is survived by his siblings;  his six children Ola, Jr. (Natalie) Benson, Tristan (Seemi) Benson, Shareen (Keith) Gawla, Tracey (Devyn) Benson, Troy Benson and Sabrina (Matt) Benson; his ex-wives, Louise Young-Benson and Christiana Adejumoke Ayanwale; his seven grandchildren, Camoren, Abery, Mira, Dante, Dominic, Zayvion, and Danil; and his wife Miriam and her two daughters, Aishat and Balikis.

May his soul rest in peace.