Samuel Kolawole Oredipe was born in Iperu, the most populous town in the Remo region of Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State on Saturday, March 17, 1973. He is a sports enthusiast, an author, a journalist and a sports writer. He is presently the Director General, New Media of the Bayelsa State Government.
For his secondary education the young Kola attended AHS, Iperu, graduating in 1994. His quest for higher education took him to the Federal University of Technology, Akure from where he bagged a Bachelor of Technology degree in Applied Geology in the year 2000.
He is a geologist by training but was attracted to the exciting life Mass Communication has to offer. It therefore did not come as a surprise to those close to him when he enrolled for a Post graduate diploma programme at the University of Port Harcourt to study Linguistics and Communication Studies in 2016.
Driven by a zeal to be the best in his field, Kola Oredipe went further to acquire a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies also at the University of Port Harcourt. Oredipe is a proud holder of a Doctorate degree, specializing in Development Communication.
His working career started with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). He was posted to Bayelsa as Correspondent between July 2008 and March 2013.
He was posted to Edo State where he served as Head of News, Radio Nigeria Bronze FM between December, 2013. His stay in Benin was short-lived as he was posted back to Yenagoa as Head of News, Radio Nigeria Creek FM in February, 2015. In April 2018, he was appointed Acting General Manager, Creek FM. He served in that capacity for four months before being transfered to Port Harcourt as Zonal Head of News on September 1, 2018.
Sometime in 2020, he was appointed as Director, New Media, Bayelsa State Government before being elevated to the rank of Director General, New Media, Bayelsa State Government, a position he holds till date.
Unlike some persons who may have challenges crossing from one profession to another, Oredipe seamlessly crossed from the study of the way rocks, rock formations, minerals and other earth materials change over time, to the practice of journalism. He neatly captures that experience in his book, "Crossover Journalist".
Since he was posted to Bayelsa State, Dr Oredipe has lived a quiet life. A detribalised Nigerian, he has integrated himself with Bayelsans, eating their food, attending their social programmes and doing everything just like the natives. If he does not tell, one will readily think he is a Bayelsan, especially when one sees or hears him defending Bayelsa State as well as the policies and programmes of the state government. And this is not because he is a government appointee. He was doing this long before becoming an appointee.
As a demonstration of the fact that he sees himself as a Bayelsan, Oredipe has adopted an Izon name, "Peremobowei", meaning "he who comes with wealth and good fortune".
He is the Vice Chairman of the Bayelsa State Athletics Association. Over and above that, he is a man who knows the meaning, and value of giving back to society. He is very intentional in grooming Bayelsa youths.
It is in furtherance of his commitment to giving back to the society that he founded the Samkay Athletics Academy, Yenagoa, to groom young Bayelsans to become future champions.
Speaking of the Athletics academy, the founder and Chief Executive, Dr Kolawole Oredipe said, "For us at Samkay, we aim to discover talents that we would nurture to become champions in athletics. We will complement the efforts of the state government to boost sports development in the state".
Dr Oredipe, who was a middle distance runner in his school days, said the driving force behind the establishment of the academy remains his passion for track and field events and also his desire to give back to the sports that gave him the platform to participate at two NUGA Games while in the University.
The D-G New Media has committed personal funds to donating athletics equipment to the state Athletics Association and schools as well as organizing athletics meets and clinics. He donated training bibs, starting blocks and hurdles to the athletics association and donated three spike shoes to outstanding athletes at the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama. The Academy, founded in January, 2024 has organised four athletics meet and a clinic for secondary school students. He also mentors young athletes.
Speaking of what kind of a boss Kola Oredipe is, one of his staff, Dennis Renner said "He has an amiable nature and his simplicity is second to none. He is magnanimous with his knowledge and experience in journalism practice. As a boss, he is hardworking and sues for excellence from his staff. He is generous in all ramifications, especially, financially".
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Toney Yemoleigha said "I have always admired his professionalism and creative eloquence to perspectives in the presentation of reports while he reported for Radio Nigeria. He has brought that same touch to his new assignment in government. I'm sure the younger generation of Journalists in Bayelsa State can learn a lot from Dr Kola Oredipe".
Dr Oredipe, who was 52 yesterday, assured that he will never be tired of giving back to athletics.
An avid supporter of Chelsea FC, Oredipe is happily married to Oluwakemi Tawede.
