By Bukola Badmus, 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, which was part of activities to mark the 37th annual Lisabi Festival, held at Adire Hall, Ake palace, Abeokuta.
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 were 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; amongst others.
The monarch going memory lane and in appreciation of Osoba’s role towards his emergence, recalled that it was the former governor who 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 following the involvement of Osoba, and for his genuine zeal and love towards him, he was spurred and decided to show interest and commitment in attaining 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 get 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 am ready to take heritage of my forefathers’, he explained.
The monarch added that he is please that unity and cooperation is much among the traditional rulers in Egbaland and beyond, and specifically appreciated Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola for equally injecting love among the traditional rulers through his conduct.
The first-class traditional ruler on the awards bestowed on some Egba indigenes, stated that the award was necessary to show appreciation to the awardees in view of their individuals’ contributions to the growth of Egbaland, assuring that it is going to be a continuous exercise.
The monarch pointed out that in the history of Egbaland, he is the first traditional ruler to maintain one wife, recalled that even his late father who was a traditional ruler in the ancient town paraded ten wives.
He appreciated his wife for tolerating him even after over five decades of marriage, pointing out that this is even in spite of his profession as a soldier, businessman and traditional ruler, stressing that he would continue in ensuring that peace does not lack in his domain.
No comments:
Post a Comment