HRH Oba Anthony Olalekan Faseesin is the King of Oriade, one of the prominent communities in Ife. He bears the title; The Aladeokin of Oriade. Oba Faseesin is well travelled and highly exposed. He is development-oriented and will stop at nothing to ensure even development takes place across his community. The impact of his efforts is evident just within two years he attained the exalted throne. A journey to Oriade Community in Ife will make you understand better the kind of transformation going on in the land. Most of them are facilitated by The Aladeokin himself.
Oba Faseesin told City People Magazine how became the king of Oriade two years ago and many things he is doing to develop the community. Below are the excerpts:
Tell us how you got the Aladeokin title?
There is an adage that says; the crown on the peacock’s head cannot fit the head of any other birds. My name is Oba Anthony Olalekan Faseesin and I am the King of Oriade Community in the Ile-Ife Kingdom. You know the bird called Peacock stands out from the rest. Asides from that, Aladeokin in my ancestral name; my grandfather was the one called Aladeokin. So when they wanted to crown me they named the Aladeokin. Maybe it’s divine or maybe it was because my predecessors answered such a name. If you observe well, you will see that my domain stands out from other communities carved out from Ile Ife. For example, I am the first king to be crowned in my community. People do say the title given to me as the king of my community befits me. They say it is really working wonders as there are lots of transformations going on in the land. Even at the gathering of fellow traditional rulers, people usually spot me out as a classy king. So, I think the title also works for me.
For how long have you been on the exalted throne?
I did my second year anniversary few weeks ago. It was on November 22, that I clocked 2 years on the throne.
Can you share with us how you became the King of Oriade Community?
From both my paternal and maternal ends, I am a prince. When the time came to choose kings for new communities carved out from Ile Ife, then I was living in abroad. I used to come to my home town occasionally. Then people spot me as someone worthy to become the king of my community. In fact, two communities were bidding for me to become their king. One of them is Aiyetoro also located in Ife. It is located after the popular Garage Olode in Ife. The second community was Oriade. I opted for Oriade Community and this still gets many people in Aiyetoro upset to date. They wanted me so dearly as their king. So maybe because of my family background and how I relate with people in the community that made them agree to make me their king.
You lived abroad before you were installed as king, how would you describe the experience of being a king?
I can boldly say that we are pioneer kings. This is because we don’t have predecessors. We are starting on a clean sheet. In most communities where there are already traditional structures for kings, whoever becomes the king has structures to build on. He already has a palace and the likes. This is not in our own case. We have to start from scratch. No palace, no core projects on the ground. I was the one that paved motorable roads in my community. Not even with the government’s intervention. Other projects we are working on; such as school and hospital are also self-sponsored. It’s like I have to sacrifice a lot to transform my community for good. So I can say I am having a good but challenging experience as a pioneering king just like Oduduwa did in Ile Ife and his name remains indelible in the history of the Yoruba race. I also have the belief that I will follow the path of Oduduwa’s greatness. I am doing the serious task of calling friends and associates abroad to come to help build my community to an enviable height. And I must tell you; their responses are quite impressive.
How do you tend to enhance the development going on in Oriade?
I believe with God, all is possible and he will assist us. Positive development will take place in the community. Like I told you earlier, bringing highly influential people in and honouring them with chieftaincy titles would encourage them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the Oriade Community. I so much believe that with God and the help of these people my community would be great.
You are a king that stands out; your outfits are always stylish. Where did all these come from?
I learnt that from the cradle. I hailed from Ife. I was born and bred in Ila. My father owned the first clinic in Ila. It was called Temidayo Clinic. Anybody born around 1966 and thereabout was delivered in my father’s house. Most of the then people know me very well. So I learnt how to dress well from my father. He was a very neat and well-tidied man. My elder ones took after him. This is what I’m also sustaining till now. I’m well-travelled and highly exposed. I lived in London. I was in America for 13 years. I lived in Canada for 7 years before I went back to London. I want to use my exposure of the western world to improve my community.
How would you describe your relationship with the Ooni of Ife?
His Royal Majesty, Ooni Ogunwusi is our father. We are very close; just like 5 and 6. He is highly instrumental to my emergence as the king of Oriade. He has been very supportive. He has assisted me in many ways.
What were the things you were doing abroad before you came home to become a king?
I am a Solar Engineer. I have a Private Pilot License (PPL). I’m a pilot; private pilot. Right now, I was a care provider in London. When I was in America, I have a company called Lexi Autos. Then I was selling vehicles. It’s well known because it’s all over the internet. I can say I’m a jack of all trades then. But before I finally returned home, I was dealing in Solar.
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