It was a week-long of activities as the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo marked his 75th birthday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
It was indeed a colourful and high display of royal glamour and splendor as the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo (Okukenu IV) celebrated his 75th birthday in grand style befitting of the revered throne.
And for five days, Abeokuta, Ogun State, was a beehive of activities as guests thronged the city from far and near to honour the royal father.
Top notch politicians, businessmen and first class monarchs graced the occasion giving the occasion its deserved prestige. Also, the ceremony created ample time for the subjects to partake in the festivities.
Part of the activities was a press conference where the paramount ruler who has ruled since 2005, among other things, stated that peace and unity among the Egbas was one his achievements.
Speaking on his challenge on the throne, the monarch said it was the inability of his people to patronise the adire and ofada rice and called on his subjects to promote them. On unity of the Yoruba race, the Alake called for healthy rivalry.
Lepers were not left out as they had an audience with Alake through his representatives with the Bale of Lepers’ Colony, Elder John Odunawo, calling on ruler to prevail on Ogun State Government and notable Nigerians to assist in improving on their well-being.
They also appealed to the Egba monarch to facilitate developmental programmes and capacity building.
Leader of Alake’s delegation, the Seriki of Egbaland, High Chief Tosin Fadare, assured the lepers that the monarch would look into their demands.
Also, at the Ake palace ground in Abeokuta the Alake who is the Chairman of the State Traditional Council, conferred chieftaincy title on some notable indigenes of the state. They include legal luminary, Dr. Yemi Oke as Bada Bamofin of Egbaland, a textile merchant, Chief Folashade Amode, as Imole Aje of Egbaland, Chief Victor Abiodun Adebayo, Aare Bobagunwa of Egbaland, Chief Jonathan Oluwole Odekunle, Bada Asojuoba of Egba, Chief (Mrs) Abisoye Oduntan, Erelu Asiwaju Baamofin, Chief Adejare Sobayo, Elebute Egba and Chief Gabriel Adeyemi Oduntan as Baamofin of Egbaland.
In the morning of September 14, the birthday of Oba Gbadebo special Muslim prayers were held at Alake’s palace and followed by church service at Saint Peters Cathedral, Ake, not far from the palace. The Anglican Bishop of Otukpo, Benue State, David Bello, preached at the service.
The Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, was among personalities at the church service. Amosun eulogised the monarch, saying his reign has brought peace and progress to Egbaland.
Other dignitaries at the church include former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Olu and Paramount ruler of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Deputy Governor of the state, Yetunde Onanuga.
Former juju musician and now gospel singer, Ebenezer Obey entertained guests at the reception at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo led Baptist Boys Old Students Association’s performance and presentations.
In his exaltation, Osinbajo also narrated how his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari told him a story of how Buhari and Alake were disengaged from the military same day via similar letter.
“A few days ago while I was speaking with Mr President and I told him that I will come here [birthday ceremony]… He told me that he and the Kabiyesi suffered the same fate in the military as there were disengaged same day. Today, one of them is the President and the other is one of the grand monarchs in Nigeria,” Osinajo said.
Osinbajo also unveiled a book titled “Giants Strides of a vintage monarch” in commemoration of the Alake’s birthday.
Gbadebo was born on 14 September 1943, into the Laarun Ruling House. He is a grandson of the sixth Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo, who ruled from 1898 to 1920, and is a nephew of Oba Gbadebo II.
Young Gbadebo attended Baptist Boy High School, Abeokuta and Ibadan Grammar School then he went to University of Ibadan in 1965, obtaining a Bachelor’s Arts degree in 1969. He joined the army in 1969, and attended Staff College, Jaji, from September 1978 to August 1979 and retired as a colonel.
