Oba Abdulrazaq Ademugba turned 65 a few weeks back in Ago-Iwoye but he didn’t throw a big party as he would have wanted to. He would have really wanted to mark the milestone age but he changed his mind to reflect the mood of the nation and to avoid hosting a huge gathering. All he did was to host thanksgiving prayers at the palace after which those who made the prayer session were given take-a-way packs.
One striking thing is that the handsome Kabiyeesi does not look 65. He has been able to keep his refreshingly young look. He has forever looked handsome. He is also blessed with flawless skin that glows and he keeps to all the rules of personal hygiene which makes him keep looking fine and stylish all the time.
He is also lucky to have an Olori who pays a lot of attention to Kabiyeesi looking good all the time. She has made Kabiyeesi’s good looks her job and so she determines, most times, his looks and what he should wear to functions.
A few days back, City People Magazine Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE & NURU spent quality time with this sociable king who is well-loved by many, in and out of his domain. He spoke about how he feels at 65 and how he has continued to remain refreshingly handsome as he ages gracefully, among other things. Below are excerpts of the interview.
Congratulations on turning 65. How does it make you feel?
I give glory to God. It is him I adore. It is him that gave me this great opportunity to see the day, especially with all that has been happening in our land with the Covid-19 pandemic. It has taken a lot of people to the great beyond. But God granted me the day with good health. I give glory to him and I adore him.
How did you celebrate it?
This Covid-19 didn’t allow us celebrate the way I would have loved to celebrate. It does not allow us to exhibit any fanfare, especially for people like us who have a chain of socialites as friends, both in Nigeria here and in the diaspora. I have so many Obas who are my friends and who are socially inclined. They wouldn’t participate. I just had a prayer session with my clergies in Ago-Iwoye here from the Methodist Church here, Rev. Fajuyigbe and Prof. Kamorudeen Balogun, who happens to be a brother. He has been backing me with prayers. He has been assisting me. He came with his team of Alfas to. We just had a prayer session. That occasion was well packaged. There was nothing about entertainment. We already packaged takeaway for all the guests. They just picked it up and left.
When you look at the last 55 years how do you feel?
I feel fulfilled, as Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrazaq Adesina Adenugba, the Okokodana Meji. I give glory to my God and I give appreciation to my parents, they did a lot. We were well brought up. The foundation they left for me is what I am enjoying today. It’s not my own power or my own deeds. God in his mercy has packaged me and directed me to pass through many obstacles without being hurt. I have had a lot of motor accidents that people will get there and say who is the driver? How did he survive? You can imagine all these. 5 years ago was a very crucial year for me. I remember when I was 60 years I had so many health challenges. I couldn’t even define the way I was feeling. I wasn’t feeling too good. I wasn’t feeling as vibrant as I am now. I was just feeling somehow. I approached my doctor and he gave me drugs, which kept me going. And I thank God today. In terms of the community itself, I was initially facing a lot of challenges, a lot of confrontations here and there, from those elders and from those who were closer to me, many of them. They didn’t understand the development, I was trying to bring to Ago-Iwoye, I was trying to bring Ago Iwoye up for us to be able to level up, with what is happening in all other community and international. My people refuse the changes. And these changes we are talking about is inevitable. When you want to progress there must be change. But some people don’t want to change. They will tell you haha this is how we used to do it in those good old days. Does that mean we can’t move forward? That alone made a lot of people confront me here and there. Some people don’t want to give up certain things they have been doing which is against the progress of the community. As time went on some youths stood up in my favour and they start preaching the gospel that what this man is trying to do is to reposition Ago Iwoye. So, must support him. With that so many other people began to come in here to see what they can do.
So, it has been rough. No doubt about that but God in his glory is performing wonderfully.
You have been on the throne for how long now?
I have been on the throne now since 2004. I have done my 15 years on the throne. That was last year. I am looking forward to my 20 years on the thone. And now I am 65 years old. People are saying we have crossed to the level of Elders. I have not seen that in me anyway. I still feel as young as ever. We give glory to God.
Many won’t believe you are 65 when they see you. What is the secret of your youthful look?
That is what people say and I don’t know what to say to than to give Glory to God because it is not in my hands. I have been through a lot in my marital life. I have lost 2 of my precious wives. I didn’t marry the 2 of them together. I married them one after the other. My 1st is Olori Muyibat Iyabode Adenugba (nee Yusuff). She is my 1st wife that gave me 2 boys. We were about to ascend the throne when she had Breast Cancer and she left me. The Kingmakers in Ago Iwoye made sure that after 1 year of my late wife, I mean I did 1-year Fidau prayer, they came to me the following day to say we are still waiting for you. They told me that I need an Olori. So, I had to look for an Oloori. Then I got Olori Femi Adetoro Adenugba (nee Adedeji). She is from Ondo. We started all over again. Unfortunately, a few years back ago she left me. Before she left, I have already had a 2nd wife who was very small. She is the one managing the palace with me now. She is Olori Olanike Ajoke Adenugba. She has been performing well. She is behind my looks.
She is a young Olori. She knows how to package me every day. All her duty is to concentrate on me to make sure I get the best of the best, I eat the best I can eat. At times when I dress up, she would say, No, Baba you can’t wear this. There is a way she packages me when I tell her I am going out. She will at times say Baba you can’t wear slippers on this. As a young woman, she is doing her bit. She is managing our home perfectly. That is the secret behind why I keep looking young.
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