Odutola Brothers, Henry Ford and Automobile history

By Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth

The American entrepreneur and manufacturer - Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor company on June 16 1903, the exact first birthday anniversary of T. Adeola Odutola, first President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) - having been born on June 16 1902.

Ford manufactured millions of cars named and modelled as T. Ford. I wonder what the 'T' in T Ford stands for. T in T. Adeola Odutola stands for Timothy.

Henry Ford and Adeola Odutola both set up Rubber plantations for manufacturing tyres.

Ford failed in his manufacturing of tyre ambition, but Odutola succeeded, establishing one of the most prominent and pioneer tyre factory in Africa.

Interestingly, on March 16 1958, the 53rd birthday anniversary of another tyre merchant now late, Jimoh Odutola (Kid brother of Adeola Odutola), Henry Ford rolled out the 50th  millionth Automobile from his assembly line.

Henry Ford and Adeola Odutola both passed away in the month of April: Ford on April 7 1947 and Odutola on April 13, 1995.

So when we celebrate the existence of the Ford Motor Company, the producers of the model T. Ford, we are invariably celebrating the life and times of T. Adeola Odutola , one of the first African entrepreneurs to be featured in the Time Magazine.

Henry Ford has a Foundation established in his name as a legacy of his service to humanity.

Adeola Odutola also has a Foundation established to mark his service to humanity and keep his legacy as an entrepreneur.

Interestingly, the Chairman of  Adeola  Odutola Foundation is Prof Akin L. Mabogunje born on October 18 1931 - the day the great inventor, Thomas Alva Edison passed away. Henry Ford was Chief Engineer to Edison during his life time.

* Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth, who write on Uncanny Resemblances' contributed this from London, England.