60 Minutes With HRH Oba ALBERT ADEBOSE MAYUNGBE
Opens Up On His Life @ 79
A few days ago, the new Odemo of Isara-Remo, Alaiyeluwa Oba Albert Adebose Mayungbe celebrated his 79th birthday. City People Publisher SEYE KEHINDE visited Kabiyeesi to wish him Happy Birthday and we took time off to interview this tall and handsome monarch who has now been in office since 2018. He took us around the construction work going on right now at the palace. When he became Oba in May 2018, he decided to live in the abandoned official palace of the Odemo of Isara. He reconstructed the palace and has been living there since.
Many don’t know that Kabiyeesi was a seasoned Policeman who left to go into the Insurance industry.
These and many more were the questions City People asked Kabiyeesi. Last Thursday, when we visited him, we met a humble man who is at peace with himself.
With the support of the ICDA, he has continued the reconstruction of the palace.
In this interview, the new Odemo of Isara talks about how he emerged Kabiyeesi and the story of his life.
Good morning Kabiyeesi, on behalf of the Management of City People, I will like to wish you a happy 79th birthday and to say a big thank you for granting us this special interview. How challenging was it becoming the Odemo of Isara?
It was very challenging. It has been a long journey. The late Odemo, Oba Idowu Onadeko, joined his ancestors in 2007. So the kingmakers wrote to our family Erinsiba ruling house to produce the next king which of course contested for the throne, and on the 3rd of March, 2011, I was selected as the next Odemo of Isara, after all these problems. But one of the losers took me to Sagamu High Court. I am grateful to God. On the 29th of March, 2018, I won the case.
I was declared the Odemo elect. Then on the 29th of March, after winning the case, the kingmakers came to me and on the 1st of April, the process started to ascend the throne. I was given the staff Of Office on the 25th of May, 2018 by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
So, that is how I ascended the throne.
And how has it been so far?
Well, it has not been smooth. It has been full of ups and downs. We have been going up and down, to make sure the town is peaceful, no commotion, no problem. First of all, is to consult the Elders on what and what to do? Naturally, we have been doing all that we can do, the native way, the Christian way and the Muslim way. Since I ascended the throne I have gone to the Mountains on 2 occasions. I am a Christian. I am a member of the CAC (Christ Apostolic Church). So, I have been going to all churches, all the denominations. I have been going to the Methodist Church, Anglican Church, the Church of the Lord, Mountain of Fire Miracles and all CAC Churches because I believe we all serve the same God. I have gone to the Central Mosque, once, to worship with them. That is how it has been.
We also noticed that there have been so many developments here, around the palace. Tell us what you have been able to do.
The ICDA (Isara Community Development Association) has a new ICDA Management. They have been so co-operative, unlike the former one. They have been trying their best. They are the ones who changed the roofing of the palace from the old Nigerite to the new Aluminium Roofing sheets. And they are still working on it, they have not stopped.
Let me tell you the story of this palace. Before I came here, no Oba has ever used this palace. The foundation was laid by the late Oba Adetayo Adesanya in 1983. Since then, the construction has been on. It was nearly completed. I decided after leaving the secret Ipebi (shrine) to come and live here. I spent over N3 million to make it habitable. I have been living here since May 2018. That is how far we have gone.
What is your vision for Isara Remo?
My vision is to see that Isara becomes an important and industrial city within the towns of the old Western region. I am happy since 2018 that I started to be on this throne, Isara has been developing rapidly. I told my people that God told me, Odo-Ona will be in the centre of Isara during my own reign. I told them that they should not think I am joining any ancestors now. At first, they said I am old. Yes, I am old. On the 23rd of this month, March, I celebrated my 79th year and by the Grace of God March next year, I will be 80. By the Grace of God.
What is your message for the sons & daughters of Isara who are out there in Lagos and diaspora? Who is looking for how they can come and help develop Isara?
I am appealing to them to come. I have been doing that. I have been appealing to them to come and support us. I have contacted many of them. And I am still going to contact more. I am appealing to them to come home and develop the town together. No single person can do so unless we do it together or jointly. Many don’t know that Isara Remo is the 6th largest town in Ogun State. And by the Grace of God, I will make sure that in the next 5 to 10 years we are going to be the 3rd by the Grace of God.
(Part 2 Next Week)
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