•Reveals His Achievements In The Last 20 Years
Have you been to Iperu-Remo recently? If you have, you must have noticed that the town now wears a new look. If you have been there lately, you must have noticed visible changes in the ancient town. The main road that runs through the town, linking Sagamu and Ode-Remo is undergoing massive re-construction and it has been widened. There are new businesses springing up, new Micro-Finance houses and many of the indigenes of the town are doing well in Politics and Business.
City People can authoritatively reveal that since Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo, the Alaperu of Iperu, came on the throne 20 years ago, development in the town has been rapidly on an upward swing. He has galvanised the efforts of well-meaning indigenes and big families from the town to move the town forward. He is lucky to have many prominent Nigerians coming from the town, like the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Odole Oodua, Chief Kessington Adebutu.
A few days back, Oba Basibo celebrated his 20th Coronation. It was a week-long celebration that featured Islamic prayers, chieftaincy ceremonies, project commissioning, culture showcase, Book presentation, Awards/Recognition Ceremony, Thanksgiving Service and the Grand Reception (Finale).
The programme started on March 24th, 2022 with Islamic Prayers, a homage to Alaperu @ 20, as well as commissioning of projects. On the following day (March 25th), there was a chieftaincy title conferment of the Asoju Oba & Yeye Asoju, Iperu Akesan. On the 26th of March, there was a chieftaincy title conferment of Sooko & Beere, Iperu Akesan. On 27th March, there was a chieftaincy title conferment of Iyalaje & Olootu Erelu, Iperu Akesan. That was also Iperu Youths Day. On 28th March, there was a chieftaincy title conferment of Yeye Oba, Iperu Akesan. On 29th March, there was a book presentation titled 20 Years After by Dr Reuben Abati. The event also witnessed an Award/Recognition Nite and on March 30, there was a Thanksgiving Service, and Grand Reception.
Who are those honoured? City People can authoritatively reveal the list of recipients. They are Oluwatoni of Ada Boy Fletcher, Ayoola Kiddominant’ Agboola, Hon. Yosola Dawodu, Mrs F.O. Phillips, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Muritala, Aare Kola Oyefeso, Chief Oladele Fajemirokun, Otunba (Arc) Kayode Adebayo, Otunba (Engr) Oladele Amoda, Prince Bisi Olatilo, Prince Gbenga Owokalade, The Adebutus, the Osinaikes, The Soyombos, Adron Homes, Animal Care Services Konsult, Babcock University, Bet9ja, Celplas Industries, Coleman Wines & Cable, KAAF, The Sagamites Club, Wema Bank Plc., and Service Award/Recognition (Anonymous).
Let’s tell you a bit about Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo who was born on March 13, 1957. He is the 21st Alaperu of Iperu & the 5th Prince from Odoru Ruling House to ascend the throne of his ancestors, hence, Odoru V.
He attended Saint James Primary School, Iperu in the 1960s after which he proceeded to the Polytechnic of Ibadan for his Advanced Level programme( A levels).
He proceeded to University College, London, where he studied Marine Economics. Upon his return from London, he realized his passion for the international market, so, he decided to get a Diploma in Importing and Exporting from the College of Technology, Yaba. He joined the Nigeria Customs Service in 1982 and retired in 2002, having served meritoriously for 20 years, to ascend the throne of Iperu.
He was presented with the staff and instrument of office as the Alaperu of Iperu by the then Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaji Gbenga Kaka on Saturday, March 30th, 2002.
The Alaperu of Iperu is one of the most senior Obas in the Remo division (Akarigbo of Remoland & Ewusi of Makun, Sagamu completing the trio) and a Permanent Member, of the Ogun State Council of Obas.
The Alaperu is a “Justice of Peace”(JP) recipient, Fellow, Institute of Export(FIEX) and Fellow, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (FICMC). A source in the town revealed that though the Kabiyesi will tell you that the development of the town is not his solo effort, truth be told, the fast-paced development of the town is because of the peaceful way the Oba has run the affairs of the town. He recently spoke to City People Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE. Below are excerpts of the interview.
In the last few days, HRH Oba Adeleke Adelekan, the Alaperu of Iperu Akesan, Idowu-Basibo, the Alaperu of Iperu Akesan, in Ogun State celebrated his 20th Anniversary on the throne of his forbears. And he is quite excited about it. He has been quite happy because his reign has brought about great development and progress to the town.
Only recently, a new and befitting palace was commissioned beside the old palace. It was commissioned on 17th February 2022 by Sir (Dr.) Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, the Balogun & Baba Oba of Iperu-Remo and the Odole Oodua of the Source. The new Alaperu Palace was donated by the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF). The old palace was declared open on Sunday, 30th March 2002 by Alaiyeluwa, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II, the late Ooni of Ife.
A few days back, City People met with the Alaperu to ask him how he feels about his 20th Coronation Anniversary. We wanted to know what was on his mind. He smiled when we asked. His face brightened. “well, I just give glory to God,” he said. “We have come a long way. And we thank God that we can have one or 2 achievements that we can point to, and say in these 20 years, these are the things we have been able to achieve, these are the things we can point to.
When I look back, I feel happy. In the last 20 years, we have had 2 House of Reps. We have also produced the current Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. He is from Iperu. So, we have a lot to thank God for”.
In terms of infrastructural developments, he is also happy that Iperu Akesan has witnessed Growth. “A lot has changed. When we came in, there was only one Micro-Finance Bank. It was a local Micro-Finance Bank for the community. What we did was to bring back our own legacy, because Agbonmagbe Bank started from Iperu-Remo. We thank God we were able to bring the bank back. Today, Wema Bank is the only bank that we have serving Iperu and the upper Remo area. And that goes a long way.
Talking about the Methodist Church, we have Remo Central of the Cathedral that is sitting in Iperu here. And we have the Institute too. We have Babcock University Campus here also. When Babcock first came to Iperu many years ago, they drove them away. They said no ooo, we don’t want them ooo.” As at that time our people were more of Isese people. So, we now went back to them. We thank God today they now have a Campus in Iperu that produces lawyers, quality lawyers. One of our sons who graduated from there now works with the Vice-President. He was my Chief Security Officer during my 10th year Anniversary and he did the job perfectly. And today, you can see the high-quality products being produced from the Babcock University Campus here. There are many, many things like that and we look back and say God we thank you.
Have you seen the ongoing road reconstruction? Have you seen our road now? Very many years ago, it was the only road between the North and the South. Now, we are having the expansion of the road. When we came in 20 years ago, they were selling land in Iperu for N8,000 but now, they are selling land for N20 million, N100 million. The land has appreciated. You now hear them calling big sums of money. It can only be God. Now, we have this automobile industry. We now assembly vehicles in Iperu. Now, we are about to have Cargo Airport. By God’s grace, the Governor says it will be operational in November. So, by the time it takes off, you can export your products from Iperu.”
Kabiyesi is also quite happy with the new Palace donated by the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF). “It’s the Grace of God, we thank God for the contributions of the Odole Oodua. He is our father. He is the Baba Oba. Baba wants the best for his son. That is why he gave us this befitting Palace as a birthday present”.
How does Kabiyesi plan to celebrate his 20th Coronation? “Initially, the way I planned it, I wanted something quiet. But people are now saying, let’s celebrate it big. We now want to give out some Chieftaincies and awards.
We are starting with the Remo CAN. We would have Prayers on the 23rd, we would do the Muslim aspect of it. A lot of our friends are also coming around to celebrate with us. We would have the grand finale on the 30th, by God’s Grace with King Sunny Ade on Bandstand, with a King singing for a King”.
At the time Kabiyesi Alaperu came in, what was the feeling like? “It was like the movie Coming to America”. But today, we have been able to learn on the job, because there is no school for Obaship. You have to learn on the job. You have to do a lot of things. And with God on your side, you will make it. I was able to learn. I was able to cope. What helped me is my training. I am used to meeting people, I am used to attending to people. That was very, very helpful. That prepared me for the throne”.
READ ALSO: WHAT LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME AT 85 – THE AJALORUN OF IJEBU-IFE, OBA OGUNTAYO
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
