KWAM 1: The making of the new Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland
Even though, I’m of Oyo stock, nonetheless, I have very deep affection for the Ijebus on account of their spirit of resourcefulness. Without any shadow of doubt, the Ijebus are very hardworking, focused and shrewd species, with tremendous and admirable entrepreneurial skills. Their entrepreneurial exploit knows no bound. It seems generational!
Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola, a business legend of Ijebu descent, born in 1902 and died in 1995, pioneered modern indigenous entrepreneurship in Nigeria and indeed, was the first president, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. He was dominant in fabrics, fish stalls, cocoa and palm trading business enterprises. The business mogul also ventured into buying fleet of Lorries that he deployed to transport produce to Lagos for export. He also had tremendous presence in gold mining then in Ilesa, as well as sawmilling.
In modern times, Otunba Mike Adenuga jnr, Obafunso Otudeko, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Chief (Mrs) Folorunso, Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, all of Ijebu stock and many others have taken off in jet speed, from where Pa Odutola stopped, bestriding Nigeria business landscape like colossus and taking absolute charge and control of all the nation’s business facets from banking to oil & gas, to telecommunication, manufacturing, mining and even, agricultures. One can’t help, but salute their unique spirit of always striving for success and nothing, other than success.
The Ijebus are also privileged to have an indefatigable and very supportive royal father who stands always like Rock of Gibraltar behind his subjects in all business and other human endeavors. And, the monarch does this by always deploying all resources within his reach, influence and contacts to battle any external aggressions against any of his subject.
Nigerians vividly recalled how the highly revered monarch deployed everything to back and support the founder of Globacom, Otunba Mike Adenuga (jnr) when ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to trample on him, using the federal might.
The same monarch mobilized all the Yoruba Obas to ensure that the late Sani Abacha buckled under immense pressure to spare the life of Lt. Gen Oladipo Diya when the latter was accused of leading a coup to overthrow Abacha government. This is the type of royal father every community desires!
Most importantly, It’s to the credit of HRM Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (CFR) that, Ojude Oba Festival, the annual event that brings the Ijebus of different classes, groups and sex together in an atmosphere of festivity, great feast and conviviality has been sustained till date since 100 years ago when the historic initiative begun. No other kingdom in the entire Yorubaland and perhaps, Nigeria has this type of classy, glamorous, and indescribable annual event that brings together all her people under one umbrella for the purpose of fraternity.
Meanwhile, always identified by the respected royal father to lead each class or group is an accomplished, prominent and distinguished Ijebu man or woman with obvious records of achievements in business, accounting, law, medicine engineering, banking & finance. This is being done to sustain the high standard and lofty heights the annual event has attained and more importantly, the heritage of the Ijebus.
Therefore, when the illustrious, stupendously wealthy, London-trained Lawyer, Founder of First City Monument Bank and the one who generality of Nigerians have come to refer to as Doyen of Nigerian banking, Otunba Subomi Balogun, who was the immediate past holder of title of “Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland” died recently, the people of the kingdom expected the Royal Father to sustain the tradition by opted for character of high academic standard and laurels, and of course with records of life accomplishments.
But, to the surprise of all, Oba Adetona opted for Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Omogbolahan Anifowoshe popularly known as KWAM 1 to be new title holder of Olori Omo Oba of the kingdom. Although, K1 is an entertainment mogul, he’s no less an achiever of high standards in his chosen field, with enviable records of achievements and accomplishments, deploying his great musical talents to bring honors and glory to the entire Ijebuland.
Wasiu Ayinde of Ojusagbola royal lineage of Ijebu-Ode, born on March 1957 in Agarawu area of Lagos Island is a hugely successful fuji music icon with phenomenal fame in Nigeria particularly in South West Geo-Political zone and other Yoruba speaking communities in Kwara, Kogi, Edo, Delta and Yoruba dominated countries across the globe especially in Canada, London, Texas, Amsterdam, Torino, Brazil, even in Germany.
It’s a gross understatement to submit that people of the South-West and other lovers of contemporary music are indeed obsessed with his brand of music, rooted in the works of Fuji Creator, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister but, which K1 hugely popularized with the fusion of Juju, Apala, Yoruba blues and other styles & genres, a combination that has become so much appealing to all age groups, sex, professionals and irrespective of religion.
Till date, the creative and highly innovative Fuji lord might have recorded more than 100 Albums and sold millions to his faithful across the globe. Amongst his efforts was the one that actually opened the doors of fame and wealth for him-Talazo, which came to the musical sphere in 1984. There are several others like Ilekun Ayo, Fuji Fusion, Orin D’owo, Let the Music Flow, Oluaye in Berlin, Ara Edide, Majo N sho and Thinking about you. Other fantastic efforts from his stable are Woro, Sun sun, Asikiri, Solo Makinde, Mode mode, Ariya Ma N son. Omo Naija, Awade, Ade Ori Okin and many others
Over the years, KWAM 1 has taken his Fuji music to virtually all the nooks & crannies of Europe, America, as well as several African countries, with massive crowd always in attendance at his concerts.
It’s also instructive to note that no Nigerian musician, dead or alive has projected the image, brand and identity of the Ijebus more than Wasiu Ayinde Omogbolahan. The musical legend has particularly succeeded in properly situating Ikorodus, Agarawus, Oju Inas, Epes, all of Ijebu stocks in the world map, always projecting their people and brands locally and abroad with slightest opportunity.
KWAM 1 is also a hugely successful business man and entrepreneur with vast interests in Estate, Confectionary/Bakery, Hospitality, Bar, Agricultures with bias for Animal Husbandry.
What mostly intrigued this writer about this musical icon is his impressive network of friends he has built over decades. It’s curious that he’s very close to President Bola Tinubu, all the governors in the South West, top political chieftains in Yoruba land and across the country. He’s a very close associates of virtually all Monarchs within the South West zone, most especially in Lagos and Ijebu environs.
Meanwhile, as if he had premonition that one day, he would be conferred with that illustrious title of Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland, he, a couple of years ago relocated from his Lagos Okota’s Castle of Peace Mansion to a sprawling Estate called KI Ojusagbola Villa in Ijebu Ode to begin a live of splendor and that of royalty.
Without any doubt, Wasiu Ayinde Gbolahan has shown character and resilience from a very humble beginning. He has eloquently proved that with self-belief, handwork, perseverance, as well as trust & confidence, one could fulfils his destiny.
It’s therefore clear that, one of the distinguished and highly revered monarchs this country has ever produced, HRM Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba A gba Otewole was meticulous, circumspect, very thoughtful, pain-staking and spot on in appointing the Fuji Icon to step into the shoes of Olori Omo Oba Akile Ijebuland that the deceased Otunba Subomi vacated.
We only beckon on Almighty to grant Ayinde Wasiu wisdom, strength, divine grace and direction from His Throne in heaven to function properly in the office.
Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)
LAGOS BASED FINANCIAL CONSULTANT,
09077509348
Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB, CTP, MBA) Lagos Based Financial Consultant
09077509348.
