By joshua 
VIVID PORTRAYAL OF OBA AMB. DR. FREDRICK DUROJAIYE BALOGUN F.CIBMA, US, JP, IREDE I, OLU LAGEDU VI, OLU OF APATA
FAMILY BACKGROUND.
Oba Amb. Dr. Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun F.CIBMA, US, JP, Irede I, Olu Lagedu VI, Olu of Apata was born in June 1980 at the early hours of that day.
There came a cry of a golden gift (a bouncing baby boy) into the family of High Chief Pius Ologbonyo Balogun, the Obajemu and leader of Ipatun Kingdom of Olu Lagedu dynasty of Apata Ipatun in Lokoja Local Government Area and Mrs. Victoria Olorunfemi Pius, daughter of High Chief Amupitan, the Obamudi of Apaa Bunu District in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area both in Kogi State.
This young Prince was born at old Aherin Bunu. The journey of his life began when his mother left Aherin Bunu for Olle Bunu where she stayed with her aunt.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun started his elementary education at St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Olle Bunu in 1986 while in 1987 his Uncle (Chief Michael Ejenhi) who lived at Aherin quarters in Aiyede Bunu came to carry him in order to continue with his education. He was then enrolled into United One Primary School, Aiyede Bunu from 1987 to 1992 where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate.
In the same 1992, Oba Frederick relocated to Oyo to meet his biological father. He was enrolled into secondary school at Bishop Delisle College, Lokoja where he started his Secondary Education and obtained his National Junior Certificate in 1996.
Oba Amb. Dr. Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun, then proceeded to Government Science Secondary School, Lokoja because of his quest of becoming a Mechanical Engineer. Unfortunately, his dream was aborted due to circumstances, therefore, he took a transfer to Okebukun Bunu High School between 1998 and 2000 where he obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate. As a determined and promising young boy, he was offered admission into Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja for his Preliminary National Diploma.
Having successfully completed his Pre-National Diploma, he was offered admission to study Business Administration and Management Studies, he graduated and had is National Diploma in Business Administration in year 2003. He went further to secure admission in the same institution, was awarded Certificate of Higher National Diploma in Business Administration in 2009.
Oba Frederick never reneged in his quest for learning. He was offered admission at Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho for his Post Graduate Diploma in Management Science in 2011. He went further to pursue his career at Masters level in the same institution where he was awarded Masters Degree in Human Resource in 2013.
Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun attended Havila Institute of Holistic Medicine (HIHM), Lagos in 2016. He is presently a P.hD student (Leadership and Strategic Studies) student of History and International Studies Department at Federal University, Lokoja.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun was employed by Dangote Cement PLC on the 3rd January, 2004 as Office Assistant to the Chief General Manager. In the same year, he was redeployed to Drawing Office Department where he was trained and became a professional in printing, duplicating, and distributing of drawings for the construction of Line 1 and 2 Cement Plant.
In 2005 he was redeployed to Mines Department because of his fast learning skill to be trained on ROC L8 computerized drilling machine by the manufacturers where he became professional and was part of the people who constructed the mine’s exploration and crusher ramp. Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun was trained on some other heavy equipments and he was eventually the one heading Drilling Department before he left the company in the year 2006.
In 2008, Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun contested for Councillorship under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent the good people of Oworo Ward. Sadly, his intention for good representation was truncated due to influences, he was appointed Special Adviser, Media and Communication by Alhaji Yabagi Bologi, the then Executive Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area between 2008 to 2010.
BUSINESS LIFE
Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun is a business icon who started his business career when he was buying and selling farm produce as a teenager. After his National Diploma in 2003, he delved into purchase and supply of building materials, and later went into construction. He is one of the most successful indigenous contractors within his locality. He is the Chairman of D.F Projects Limited, SkyGo Integrated Ventures, DUFAB Natural Health Care.
POSITIONS HELD
He was a Timekeeper at United One Primary School (1991-1992), Health Prefect in his Okebukun High School (1999-2000), Auditor General of National Association of Business Administration and Management Studies (NABAMS) at Kogi State Polytechnic (2002-2003), Treasurer, Obajana Contractors and Suppliers Association (2008-2011) Auditor General, Apata Development Association (2006-2012). He was also the Secretary, Obajana Youth Development Association (2006-2009), and the Youth President, Obajana Youth Development Association (2009-2013).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun is a Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).
Member, Nigeria Council of Physician of Natural Medicine (NCPNM).
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Business Management Administration (F.CIBMA).
PHILANTHROPY
Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun is widely regarded as a father to the orphans and husband to the widows with his numerous benevolent programmes ranging from feeding, scholarships from Primary to Tertiary institutions, skill acquisition programmes for both indigene and non indigenes of Apata Ipatun, employment, counseling etc.
MERITORIOUS AWARDS
2017 Kogi Community Development Award in recognition of his contributions to the development of Kogi State by BEBM Exhibition.
Award of Exemplary Leadership by Advocacy for Youth Leadership in Governance, Kogi State (2019).
Distinguished Fellowship award for promoting peace, understanding and attracting development in the area of education, health and roads (2020).
United Nation Ambassadorial Award in recognition and contribution to human capital development in line with MDGs (2021).
Award of Honour in recognition towards road safety in Nigeria by Federal Road Safety Corp (2022).
Award of Excellence in recognition of his passion and support for indigenous languages by Linguistic Association of Nigeria and Federal University Lokoja (2023).
Humanitarian Icon Award in recognition of his humanity traits by National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) (2023).
Award of Recognition of Outstanding support and development of education in Kogi State by National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (2023).
National Patron, Nigerian Hunters and Forestry Security Service (2024).