How Osoba facilitated my emergence as Alake – Oba Gbadebo
Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo at the weekend disclosed that the former Governor of Ogun State and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Olusegun Osoba, contributed to his emergence as the traditional ruler of the town.
Oba Gbadebo disclosed this while speaking at the special award and luncheon as part of activities to mark the 37th annual Lisabi Festival, held at Adire Hall, Ake Palace, Abeokuta.
The monarch, going down memory lane and in appreciation of Osoba’s role towards his emergence, recalled that the former governor was the first person to put a telephone call across to inform him (Gbadebo) to start preparing for the royal stood after the passage of Oba Oyebade Lipede.
Oba Gbadebo said the involvement of Osoba, spurred him to show interest and commitment in attaining the royal seat of his forefathers.
‘I want to appreciate the role of Akinrogun, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who was the first person to call me to prepare for the throne after the passage of Oba Oyebade Lipede. He called to congratulate me and tell me to start preparing for the stool. I now said I am ready to take the heritage of my forefathers’, he explained.
The monarch added that he is pleased that unity and cooperation exist among the traditional rulers in Egbaland and beyond. He appreciated Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, for injecting love among the traditional rulers through his conduct.
The monarch pointed out that in the history of Egbaland, he was the first traditional ruler to maintain one wife, recalling that his late father, a traditional ruler in the ancient town, paraded ten wives.
He appreciated his wife for tolerating him in over five decades of marriage, despite his profession as a soldier, businessman and traditional ruler.
On the awards bestowed on some Egba indigenes, the first-class traditional ruler stated that the award was necessary to show appreciation to the awardees for their contributions to the growth of Egbaland, assuring that it would be a continuous exercise.
Those honoured for their outstanding contributions to the development of Egbaland and Nigeria as a whole during the event were a former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; industrialist, Chief Olatunde Abudu; and renowned juju musician and gospel preacher, Chief Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi.
Others are the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; a retired Primate of Anglican Church, Primate Jasper Peter Akinola; and co-founder of the Guaranty Trust Bank, Fola Adeola and others.
