Oba, Dr. Adeyemi Olanrewaju Alani Adekeye Lagori III is the Abepa of Jogaland, Joga-Orile, an ancient community and one of the fast-developing communities in Yewa North, Abeokuta in Ogun state. Few week ago, the Abepa celebrated his 21 years on the throne of his fore-fathers. The celebration was moderately done and it was glamorous.
The occasion was graced by quite a number of traditional rulers from Yewa. They all came to rejoice with one of them, Oba Adekeye. The ceremony was dedicated to God as clerics across the 3 religious divide, Islam, Christianity and Isese Traditionalist. Each was given enough to pray for the king on his 21st coronation anniversary. They also prayed for the community, Ogun state and Nigeria at large, seeking divine intervention on the present state of the country.
City People Reporter, JAMIU ABUBAKAR (08085185886) and Photojournalist, FEMI ADELEKE covered the celebration. We then proceeded to king who is an epitome of class and very stylish. We had a brief interview with him where he told us how he felt celebrating 21 years on the throne as the Abepa of Joga Orile. He also told about his fashion statement and how he has kept up to it over the years.
What’s your remarks your today’s event?
Today I’m celebrating 21 years on the throne, my 21 years coronation anniversary. I’m so happy today. And I thank God that I am 21 years on the throne today. Glory be to God, because there are a lot of things that have happened, and right now I give thanks to Lord Jesus Christ for letting me be to see today. I thank everybody that came to celebrate with me from far and near, most, especially the Obas from Yewa traditional council, most of them are all here, and I’m so happy. And likewise, my chiefs in Joga-Orile, I thank all of them also that I really appreciate every one of them. And also, my Olori, Olori, Oluwabunmi Adekeye. I thank her for being there and very supportive, and I pray that along. And also thank my kids, every one of them, I thank them and I pray that God will continue to be with them. Without them, there’s no Oba. So I thank all of them.
21 years. How has it been?
21 years? It has been so fantastic. 21 years on the throne is not a joke, because there’s a lot of things that have happened, and there’s a lot of things which I like, which I don’t like, but I give thanks to God that here am I today.
With what we saw today, it is evident that there is peaceful co-existence among the different religious bodies in your community, how did you achieve that?
It’s by the grace of God. Because since I came, because every family here in Joga Orile, they are all related. And in every family there is Muslim, there is Christian, there’s traditionalist, so we are all related, because I don’t want any problem. That’s why I don’t call anybody behind. So I call all of them together. I say, all of you, you’re going to pray for me, we’re going to pray here and agree with each other that this is what we want to do. And since then, they are all fantastic. They’ve been doing the work of God throughout.
I also observed that since you’ve ascended the throne, there’s been a lot of remarkable development. How were you able to achieve this?
It’s by his grace. It’s by God. By his grace. You cannot achieve anything by yourself. Is by God. I came all the way from the US, I don’t know anything. And I came all the way from us, come to Joga Orile. So, we started to do what we know how to do. Because as an Oba, no one will teach you how to be a Oba. You will learn from being a nova. So that’s how it has been. So, with the wisdom of God, we are able to put everything together, one by one. One by one. And we achieve a lot.
Every time we see you, even at public functions and social events, you always dress distinct and stylish. How do you achieve this?
You see, there are some things that no one can teach you. It’s what we’ve been doing. And for example, all my friends, when you interview my friend, my real friend, they will tell you, he has been like this for a long time. When we were in school, he is always acting like a king or whatever. So that kind of thing. So even all my friends from the US, whenever they are in Nigeria, they will come to Joga and see how am I doing. Is it true you are king? Is it true that you are really king? So that’s it.
It appears you have good relationship with the kings from neighbouring communities, their presence at today’s event speaks volume…
Because like I told you before, I said, no one will teach you work of an Oba. You will learn from it. Because if you can bring people together, they will all follow you. Even if they are not Oba, you are in a club and you put everybody together, they will come to you. That’s what is happening. There is no trick behind it. Just be yourself. No trick behind it.
Your Olori is stylish and she complements you well Sir?
It’s by his grace also. Because if you ask, he said knocked, and you shall be given. I ask for a stylish Olori and God gave her to me.
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