In the next few days, His Royal Majesty, Kabiyeesi Alaiyeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, Karunwi III Oranmiyan, the Osile Oke Ona Egba, will be 80. But he does not look that age. He looks refreshingly younger than that age. And he manifests evidence of good living. Left to Kabiyeesi, he would have spent his birthday with the less privileged like he does annually, with the inmates in prison, the kids in remand homes and pool others roaming the streets. Traditionally, these are the people whom Kabiyeesi likes to celebrate with. On his birthdays, he usually visits all the above-mentioned homes and centers to touch lives.
But this time around, because of the significance of turning 80, his 24 children, led by the eldest, Prince Lanre Tejuoso, who is a Senator, want to give their dad a befitting thanksgiving service and party. He has agreed to their wishes.
As he turns 80, Kabiyeesi is in a very happy mood because all is well with him. He enjoys good health, he looks refreshingly young. His skin glows and there are no wrinkles on his face. He is still mentally alert, very agile and witty.
But there are some aspects of Kabiyeesi’s life that have not changed: His principles. He is a disciplinarian to the core and a no-nonsense father and husband. Everybody in the palace will tell you that he does not take nonsense from anybody. Even his 3 wives would readily tell you that Kabiyeesi is strict to a fault and that he is too intelligent to be fooled with cock-and-bull stories. So, everyone is careful so as not to infringe on the ground rules.
Last Thursday, City People visited Kabiyeesi and spent quality time with him and the residents of the palace and we got the popular Christian Oba to talk about his life at 80. City People and selected journalists from other media houses sat with him for 60 minutes to chat. Kabiyeesi was in a relaxed mood, and the witty side of him came to play, as he took all the questions in his strides.
He showed the elder statesman that he is when he answered each question with a lot of depth and wisdom.
And trust Oba Tejuoso, he laced every answer with relevant quotes from the Bible extempore. He has been described as a man, whose life has been an inspiration to others, either through his zeal in evangelizing for Christ or the awesome reverence he has for God.
What was his early life like? We can tell you.
He was given admission to Abeokuta Grammar School in January 1951. He gained direct admission to Trinity College Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland (EIRE) in October 1958 to study Medicine. He furthered his studies to postgraduate level and added more degrees to his qualifications.
In 1970, as Managing Director of Teju Industries Ltd. (manufacturers of Teju Foam Products), he worked closely with Mama (Iyalode Bisoye Tejuoso) as Chairman, Teju Industries Ltd. He has other business interests. He is into oil. He is into Real Estate. He is into educational ventures.
Till today, even as an Oba, he is still a member of Rotary International, Ikeja. He served as the District Governor of Rotary International District 911 in the year 1986-87 “Rotary brings hope”. He increased membership by 100%. On the 2nd of August, 1996, the Governor of Rotn. PDG Lekan Ogundimu, Rotary International District 9110, recognised his sterling qualities and as a Royal Father conferred on him the honour of “PATRON of ROTARY.” In 1997-98, Rotary International also GLOBALLY awarded Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso its most cherished and highly coveted and prestigious honour that can be bestowed on any deserving Rotarian – The “SERVICE ABOVE SELF” AWARD, for his exemplary and dignifying role as a Rotarian.
Many didin’t know he loves Sports. He developed a keen interest in Badminton, while at Trinity College, Dublin (TCD) as a student. He, therefore, as a Managing Director at Teju Industries Ltd., pioneered the promotion of Badminton in Lagos State and Nigeria. He was the Chairman of the Amateur Badminton Association of Nigeria (ABAN) from 1978 to 1988. He was also the President of the African Badminton Federation (ABF) (1981-88). He was elected in 1981, a member of the International Badminton Federation (IBF). He was the first African to be so elected.
There is also a political side to him. He was a nominated government delegate to the National Constitutional Conference of the 27th of June, 1994, to the 27th of June, 1995. This needed the dexterity, steady nerves and courage of an ardent believer in God, and in the unity of Nigeria.
He courageously acted through divine guidance with the other 5 nominated traditional rulers (one from each of the six (6) geopolitical zones of Nigeria). With him, and God on their side, they prevented the breakup of Nigeria. God used them and other delegates to “Keep Nigeria One”.
He likes to give back to the society. He is the Founder, Grand Patron and a Trustee of Oke-Ona Egba Dynasty Trust Foundation. It is solely financed by the emolument of Oba (Dr.) Tejuoso since he became the Osile Oke-Ona Egba 24-year ago. The Foundation Awards Scholarships to needy students. It’s Poverty Alleviation Scheme for both men and women has also become a regular feature of his birthday and coronation anniversary whenever the need arises.
He saw to the establishment of the first Community Bank in Egbaland in 1991.
The Bank was statutorily converted to Solid Rock Micro-Finance Bank in 2007 by a regulation of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He has also succeeded in wiping out guinea worm (Water-Borne Disease) from the rural areas of the length and breadth of Oke-Ona Egba.
He is fully into evangelism. Kabiyesi shares the Word of God like air with all and sundry. He passionately and openly preaches the Word of God . He has been part of Christian CRUSADE in Abeokuta, Agege, Oshogbo, Akure, Ibadan or wherever the Spirit of God directs him to.
He is the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission International (PREMI). His Evangelical Outreach – Oba Karunwi III, Evangelical Movement (OKTEM) moves to all nearby villages to attest to the Power of God and to win souls for Jesus Christ. Through this, he has saved many souls.
He is the Grand Patron of the Egba Diocese of the African Church, Patron of the African Church of Nigeria, Worldwide. Only recently, in February, 2012, he was installed a Patron of the South West Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). He is the current Vice-Chairman of the Association of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria. He has divinely established, for the past 10 years “The Kings Day of Praise” being organised annually by the Oba Karunwi Evangelical Movement (OKTEM).
That His royal majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, is not your run-of-the mill traditional ruler is pretty obvious. He is a monarch with a lot of difference. Since he became Osile of Oke Ona, this 80-year- old medical doctor and billionaire businessman with vast investments in critical sub-sectors of the economy, has been on a crusade to win Egbaland for God. Everyday at 9am, Kabiyeesi and his family holds daily devotion at his palace . Daily prayers are said and regular Bible study and fellowship are regularly held every Wednesday.
This involves the entire family, workers, friends and visitors. Not only that. He has a Ministry that evangelises and he does crusade across the country. He insists he wants all whom he comes in contact with to make Heaven. He says he wants to keep hell empty, to prove his zeal for God. So serious is he that Oba Tejuoso has encouraged members of his extended family to do away with idolatry.
And a few years back, he caused the effigy of Obatala idol in Karunwi’s compound at Ago Oko, Abeokuta to be destroyed in the full glare of the public. He enjoined all present, to go do the same in their various homes if he, the King, was still alive after 7 days of the removal of an effigy.
That was on his birthday, the 19th of February, 2005. So consumed in Christianity is Oba Tejuoso with his love for God that he openly preaches the word of God. Via his evangelical outreach, Oba Karunwi III Evangelical Movement, he has been preaching in villages and holding crusades all over the South West cities and towns. Last February he turned 79, but he does not look it at all. He forever keeps looking young and his skin glows like that of a baby.
Last week, City People’s Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE interviewed him at his Ibara GRA residence, during which he spoke about his life at 80.
You are turning 80 in a few days. But Kabiyeesi does not look 80. You look slightly younger. What is the secret?
(Smiles). I like the word slightly. I prefer that than for you to flater me like someone congratulated me this morning by saying I look like I am in my late 60s when in fact I feel like I am in my 90s, I thank God. We thank God for a useful life, we thank God that he has made me relevant in a way to him, to the world and to my people. In another two weeks or thereabout by the good grace of God, I should clock 80. Little did I expect that I will get this far. But the grace of God has led me this far. And I cannot but be specially grateful to him far keeping me.
I am particularly grateful to him because he has allowed me to serve. A lot of other people want to serve him but they are not allowed. So, why should I not be very, very grateful. Thus, far I am happy. I feel fulfilled. My fear is that somebody like Moses. God started using him at the age of 80. I hope my work is not just starting because if it is just starting, it will be an uphill task. But I know I can do all things through God who strengthens me. If he wants me to serve him more at this age, I am sure he will give me the capability.
He will strengthen me so I will be able to do more exploits and serve him till the end. My prayer is that no matter how long I stay on this planet earth, I will always be relevant. It will be in very, very, good health that is very important. To continue to live in very healthy, very successful, very fruitful life, the shy is the limit. My prayer is taht the grace of God will always be sufficient for me.
As you turn 80, what is your wish?
God has granted me a peaceful life. God has granted me a peaceful family. Even though I have many wives but I think I am more fulfilled than some of those who have only one wife. Of course he reason being that, the many wives I have are all in Christ. Its the Christ that lives in me that also lives in them. And its only one person ruling the lives of all of us. And the Bible says a house divided against itself shall not stand. We have this one unifying force.
We learned that you belong to 12 lodges before you became a born again. And that you renounced all of them. Tell us more of that…?
Well, it is true that when I gave my life to Christ, I renounced the devil and all its works. What inspired me into doing that was what Jesus Christ said in the book of John, Chapter 14 vs 30, when he was calling his disciples about his future, that he was going to be killed and so on, and he was telling them how, unless he went back to the father, the Holy Spirit will not come back to us. Suddenly at a stage he said common let us go.
Sin belongs to the devil. Anybody who has sin in his life has the things of the devil in him. And the devil will continue to have control over him. So we must all aspire not to keep anything of the devil.
Many are always surprised that a first class Oba like you is born again. Did that encounter come as a divine intervention?
Nothing happens without God knowing. God knows what each and every one of us is doing. God knows all of us by name. I only have 24 children and I know their names people credit me for knowing their names and even their names of birth. That is only 24 children. Can you compare that to God, the creator of this world, the creator of each and everyone of us, what is the population of the world today?
About 7 billion. He knows everyone of us by name. He even knows how many strands of hair in your head. You can’t hide from him. God created me He knew what he wanted me to come to this world to do and I sincerely hope I am on the right path.
Maybe just wanted me to be a King for his purpose, not so much for our purpose. Because all I do as King is service to humanity. I happen to have been born in a Christian family. I thank God I have retained that position.
And thank God, that God is using me seriously for his work and I am enjoying everything. Until you start worshipping God, in truth and in spirit you have not arrived. I pray that all of us arrive there.
As a Christian Oba, how do you relate with non-Christians, like Muslims and idol worshippers in your domain?
God knew why he sent me here. At the time I was coming on the throne I wasn’t a born again Christian as that time. I was quite religious. I was going to church not too frequently. I knew I was very prayerful and God was always hearing my prayers.
When I came on the throne, it was mandatory for me to go to school, which Yorubas call Ipebi for 3 months where I was trained in the rudiments of being a King. Of course during that period there would be all types of rituals. So, I went there and God told me I should go through it, whatever they asked me to do. I was later informed that God showed somebody a vision and saw me covered in black, throughout the time I was in Ipebi, all the rituals, all the things they were bringing, I did.
There was no problem. I have been allowed by God to do it. I finished the 3 months I came back. After I finished the Ipebi, I came back and my eyes started opening and I saw why I should not be part of all that they were doing.
A few months after, another person saw another vision and saw me covered in white. For instance, I hope you know it does not cost me anything to take off my crown in public. But if I didn’t go through. Those rituals I would not know why the Obas usually keep their caps in the head. Whilst I was in Ipebi, they gave me something like a powder to put on my head. Getting to Ipebi, the first thing they will do is to shave your hair and then give you this small cap to be covering your heard, simply because every morning you have to put your hand in that powder and apply it on your head and make a plus(+) sign across your head and you cover it.
After sometime, after Ipebi I had to continue. At some point I said to myself wait a minute, what’s all these thing I am doing. I just stopped it. If I were still entrenched in those things I can’t take off my cap aside like I am doing now. (He takes off his cap) and shows us his head). And my reason for doing that is because it just occurred to me that I am trying to be like Jesus. Have I ever seen Jesus Christ anywhere no matter how he was depicted with a cap, have I ever seen Jesus Christ dressing up differently from the people around him.
If he was doing that Judas Iscariot will not have a problem having to identify him. All he would have said is when you get there watch out for a man with the red cap, that’s the man. But he couldn’t identify or differentiate Jesus Christ. So, I took my cue from there and I am never afraid to take myself as I am.
Now, talking about whether I am a king for Christians, Muslims or traditionalists is something I say quite often. At my last coronation, I still talked about it publicly. I am the Osile Oke Ona. I am the king of the Moslems, the Christians and traditionalist the ritualists, even the mad man in Oke Ona, the Armed robbers, those in Aro hospital. I am their king as long as they are Oke Ona Egba. They cannot have any other king but me. And I have only God.
I am a leader who leads from the front not from the back. I see something good, I follow it and I wish you follow and believe I would not lead you astray. I am not a blind leader, so I cannot lead you into a pit. When I say blind I am not talking of my 2 eyes. I have the inner eye which is Jesus Christ who leads the way. And he is going to lead me by the good grace of God to the kingdom of God.
You cannot destract me from my path and I cannot forcefully destract you from your path. You always preach to me. I am always preach to you. If you see the truth in what I am saying, Jesus Christ that I am following said emphatically that He, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Light. No other religion can boast of that. There are no 2 ways to this kingdom.
Why should any body go any other way. Don’t forget that Christianity really is not a religion. Christianity is only a way of life, a way to salvation. Who doesn’t want to be saved? My prayer is that we would all be saved in Jesus name.
In your 80 years, what will you call your biggest regrets(s)?
I don’t know how I should answer that, because, I doubt it if I have any regret as to what I had done, for the simple reason that when I was coming on this throne, to be precise, when I was coming to Ipebi on 20th February 1989. It was a Monday. It was a day after my 51st birthday. We have a chapel in my house, in Surulere, Lagos.
It was a send forth thanksgiving service in the chapel in our home. It was the then Bishop Adetiloye, the Archbishop of Lagos, who preached the sermon and at the end of the service almost everybody there burst into tears, including me and Adetiloye said my watch word should be Psalm 32. Vs 8. In summary that verse is saying that God said he will show me the path to follow, he will guide my steps, and he will guide me with his eyes. That has been what has inspired my life all through.
God has been guiding my steps. He has led my foot on the right path and he has been guiding me with his eyes. Psalm 16 vs 11 says. I will show you the path of life. In his presence, is fullness of joy, at thy right hand, there are pleasure for evermore. He has been leading me in the right path. That should probably make us understand that I am not likely to have any regret. Every disappointment is an appointment from God. There is no co-incidence in the spirit world.
Everything has been planned by God. So, whatever you think is wrong, it is probably a step that was meant to take you to your success. Every blockage of your life should be a stapping stone to your glory. That is why I say I have no regrets. Everything I have done, if they have not yielded fruits, will sooner then later yield the appropriate fruits.
Why did you do away with worshipping idols?
People worship all sort of things. I worship only God who created us. Why would you want to leave that creator and to serve somebody that somebody created or somebody that God himself created. Idol worshippers can decide to worship any thing. They can decide to worship their ancestors.
These ancestors that they worship are human beings or they may even decided by themselves to go to the roots to cook their breakfast eat take the rest part of the mood to make an idol, and start putting oil, on it and worshipping it. It is absolute foolishness.
I, for one can never serve an idol. I am the Osile Oke Ona Egba. The Osile used to be the Olokoo. The 1st person to sit on this throne of mine was Oranmiyan. Oranmiyan was a king in Ile-Ife. He was a Prince first and foremost. He became the Alaafin.
He was 3rd or 4th grand child of Oduduwas. After sometime he left Ile-Ife, he now founded the old Oyo. He reigned there. He was the 1st king in old Oyo. After some time, he again left old Oyo to Oko, where I hail from. Oranyan had children. His first child was Ajaka, who also reigned in Oyo and Oko.
The 2nd child was Sango who also reigned in Oyo & Oko. Sango reigned on this throne. And after his death people have deified him and they start worshiping him. Its ok for any other king who is not an Oloko or Osinle. I as Oloko, or, the Osile Oke Ona Egba, Sango is my son. So, why should I now start worshiping my son? May be you can now understand my philosophy, why I, Oba Dapo Tejuso, Osile Oke Ona Egba, will never worship an Idol. Its God all the way. God the father. God the son. God the Holy Spirit. 3 in one
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