Osoba instrumental to my emergence as Alake — Oba Gbadebo

 The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Ogun State, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, at the weekend revealed how a former Governor of  the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, was instrumental to his becoming the Alake.

The monarch gave vivid accounts of his journey to the revered throne of his forefathers.

He said this while speaking at the special award and luncheon, which was part of  the activities to mark this year’s annual Lisabi Festival celebration. 

He expressed appreciation for Osoba’s role towards his emergence as Alake, 

 Oba Gbadebo who was flanked by his Olori and Chief Osoba, who is also the Akinrogun of Egbaland, recalled that the former Governor was the first person to put a telephone call across to inform him to start preparing for the royal stool after the passage of Oba Oyebade Lipede. 

He pointed out that following the involvement of Chief Osoba, the genuine zeal and love towards him, he was spurred and hence, decided to show interest and commitment in attaining the royal seat of his forefathers.

According to him: “I want to appreciate the role of Akinrogun, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who was the first person to call me to get prepared for the throne after the passage of Oba Oyebade Lipede. 

“He called to congratulate me and told me to start preparing for the stool. I then said I was ready to take the heritage of my forefathers.”

The former military officer turned royal father pointed out that in the history of Egbaland, he was the first traditional ruler to maintain one wife, saying that even his late father who was a traditional ruler in the  Kingdom paraded 10 wives.

The monarch 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 to ensure that peace does not lack in his domain. 

The monarch also expressed the high level of  unity and cooperation  among the traditional rulers in Egbaland and beyond, and specifically appreciated the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola for equally injecting love among the traditional rulers in the Kingdom and beyond through his conduct.

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Speaking on the awards bestowed  on some Egba indigenes, Oba Gbadebo stated that the award became necessary to show appreciation to the awardees in view of their individuals’ contributions to the growth of Egbaland, the state and the country in general, assuring that it was going to be a continuous exercise.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the Lisabi Festival, Chief Rasheed Raji explained that the celebration was an annual event organized to bring all Egba sons and daughters home and abroad together with the view to showcasing robust and rich culture and tradition of Egba Kingdom.