A few weeks back, the Olubadan of Ibadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji turned 90 and there was a big celebration in Ibadan. Even as he turned 90, Kabiyeesi does not look that age. He has this refreshingly robust healthy look that makes him look younger in age.
How does he feel clocking 90, City People asked him last week. “I feel happy” he said… “I feel elated. Its a good feeling.”
“Let me start by thanking you for congratulating me on my 90th birthday. It is my prayer that you will live longer in sound health to experience God’s goodness & mercy. Amen. If truth must be told, I feel very great to attain the age of 90. As I said recently, to live long in life is not a right but a privilege. Although I come from a family with an impressive record of longevity, I give glory to God because my dad who died in 1989 did not live up to 90.
As a matter of fact, he died at 89. I also feel fulfilled because when I look back at my life, I have every reason to be grateful to God in every way over my life, my family and Ibadanland. This was why I inaugurated my 90th birthday anniversary committee, coordinated by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Sports and Special Duties. It is heartwarming to note that the weeklong programme was hugely successful.”
At 90, how come he still looks refreshingly young? What is the secret? Is it his diet or exercise?
“Let me be frank with you. There are fundamentals of life that you and I do not choose. We did not choose when, where and how we were born. We did not choose our complexion. I eat no special diet, and do no aerobics. I sleep and wake up naturally. I go for a walk within the palace almost every day. I drink plenty of water. When it’s time for fasting, I fast.. I eat noodles,amala, pounded yam etc but the size of food I take is drastically reduced.
Also, I don’t toy with medical checkup. As I speak, my radio set is my companion.I watch quite a few programme on the television.Your colleague and my Pa. Adeola Oloko supplies me newspapers every day. I also receive visitors and attend functions but I have reduced travelling.I enjoy the company of children, particularly my grand and great grand children. I enjoy listening to music and palace poets. So, God is the secret. I derive a lot of satisfaction from enormous amount of good will of Ibadan people.So this is another secret”.
What has life taught Kabiyeesi at 90?
“Over the past 90 (ninety) years,I have learned a lot of lessons about life. One, although your beginning may be small your latter end would be great. Two, every one in life needs a destiny helper at one time or the other to be what God wants you to be”.
It has been 2 years now that he became Olubadan, how has it been?
“The most appropriate way to look at the past two years of my being Olubadan is to say it’s a mixed grill. As you are well aware, life is about ups and downs. Just because you are Olubadan does not mean you are not going to have your own share of ups and downs. The consolation I have is that every challenge we encounter has an expiry date”.
His birthday party attracted a lot of dignitaries like Gov. Ajimobi. Whats his relationship like now with him since the Obaship issue broke out?
“It has been cordial. It was not only the birthday party of Sunday August 26 that attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, I discovered that each of the weeklong programme has its own character that makes it quite exciting. For instance, the birthday lecture on Asa, Isese & Esin by Prof. Toyin Falola attracted lots of dignitaries from different walks of life. So also was the interdenominational Christian service and the special prayer by the Muslim clerics. People I had not seen for years were there.
Yes, His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi & his wife were also present and I am highly honored to be so honored. What will he say has been his achievements since he became Olubadan? “A lot of good things have been taking place since March 4, 2016. The greatest achievement is that Ibadan is peaceful and progressing in every way. Regardless of ethno religious and ideological persuasions, all of our people are living together like one big family. Educationally, about 3 new Universities, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan Technical University, Kola Daisi University, Dominican University, Ibadan have not only been licensed by the NUC but are open for academic activities. Ibadan city is becoming bigger.
How times flies! His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Olalsupo Adetunji is 2yrs on the throne. And he has done so well. He has performed well. In the last now 2yrs Baba has returned Vigour and Vitality to the throne. Because he is younger than the late Olubadan, Oba Adetunji has modernised the stool. He has introduced a vibrancy that only a younger Olubadan could have introduced. Kabiyeesi has also stepped up his fashion style. He has become trendy and stylish.
Born on August 26, 1928 at Adetunji compound, Popoyemjo, Ibadan; in the present day Ibadan South-West local government of Oyo State to Pa. Raji Olayiwola and Alhaja Suwebat Amope Adetunji, he is the eldest of his father’s 17 children. As the eldest child of the family, his seniority is not just a title as it confers on him a responsibility, even in a polygamous setting where he is expected to lead by example as the first-born. When he came in 2016 he gave thanks to Almighty Allah, the Government and the entire people of Ibadanland for crowning him the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, 40 years after he assumed the leadership of his clan and elevation as Mogaji.
“My first promotion which made it possible for me to be Olubadan came in 1978, when I was appointed Jagun Balogun. When he came in, he promised to do his utmost best for the peace, progress and development of Ibadan land and Nigeria in general.”
Oba Saliu Adetunji does not hide the fact that he is a man of modest education. Yet, he speaks, reads and writes in English. He began his career as a Tailor when his uncle, Salami Oladiti, took him to Lagos in 1949.The young Saliu Adetunji wasted no time in enrolling as an apprentice under the tutelage of Mr. Disu Alade Igbalajobi, then of No. 33, Ereko Lane, Idumota, near Kosoko, on Lagos Island.
He set up his own tailoring workshop a couple of years later. As his business boomed, Adetunji bought four sewing machines, which was a no mean feat in those days. He sewed native and English dresses. As a young entrepreneur, he employed and placed his workers in the fashion designing enterprise on shift.
In 1957, Saliu Adetunji sowed a seed which turned around his fortunes. The doyen of indigenous music recording and label studio in Nigeria, Pa Samuel Badejo Okusanya, had gone to Ereko, on Lagos Island, to buy some packets of locks and keys. Young Saliu was in company with him during the trip. They had waited in vain for a porter to ferry the consignment to Okusanya’s shop. No longer comfortable with the long wait, the then young Saliu offered to carry the loads to Pa Badejo’s shop at Orogiri Street, Lagos, not minding the heavyweight.
When they got to the shop, Pa Badejo called one of his apprentices and asked, “Between you and Saliu who is older?” He replied, “Saliu.” Speaking further, the merchant reminded the apprentice that “Any time I go for shopping with you at Ereko we would not leave the place untilwe get a porter. As you can see, Saliu carried this load on his head to this place.”
In appreciation, Badejo prayed for Saliu and gave him some record disks free to entertain his customers. Instead, Saliu sold the records and returned the proceeds to Pa. Badejo, who was highly impressed by the gesture. They later became very intimate and because of Saliu’s humility, prudence, trustworthiness and business acumen, Pa Badejo was inspired to do business with him. He extended his generosity and trust to Saliu by giving out the records he produced to him for sale. This was how Saliu became a merchant. His years of experience in the business inspired him to venture into music recording business.
Given the nature of his business investments and his international exposure, Saliu became a specialist in talent discovery, music composition, arrangement, production, promotion, advertisement and marketing.According to the Juju music maestro, Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, “what Baba Saliu Adetunji does not know in the Nigerian music industry is not worth knowing. He is the longest surviving indigenous music promoter in Nigeria. He is also the life Patron ofthe entertainment industry in the country.”
From being a modest seller of records at Ereko Lane, Idumota, on the present day Lagos Island Local Government of Lagos State in 1957, Saliu Adetunji played a pivotal role in the rise of music superstars, such as Lefty Salami Balogun, Amuda Agboluaje, Tatalo Alamu, Raimi Atolagbe, Dauda Epo-Akara, Sule Epo, Iyanda Sawaba, Asanat Omo Aje and a host of others, whom he promoted through his popular music label, Omo Aje Sound Studio. He is also credited with the rise of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1, and Alayeluwa Sule Alao Malaika among others.
But his influence in the entertainment industry goes beyond this.Oba Adetunji has an exemplary family life. He is blessed with many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His first and second wives, Alhaja Rafatu and Alhaja Olanrewaju respectively have passed on, while his surviving wives are Olori Kudirat Molade and Olori RashidatAlolade (nee Baoku).
He began his long journey to the Olubadan throne in 1976 when he was chosen as the leader of the large, all-inclusive Adetunji family of Alusekere· Compound, Popoyemoja, Ibadan, on theadvice of the immediate past Balogun of Ibadanland, late High Chief Sulaiman Omiyale. After becoming the Mogaji of his family house during the reign of Olubadan Gbadamosi Adebimpe at Odinjo, Ibadan, he started the journey to join the Ibadan Traditional Chiefs by getting enlisted in the Balogun line in 1978. He received the chieftaincy title of Jagunmolu Balogun during the reign of Olubadan Daniel Tayo Akinbiyi of Elekuro, Ibadan.
In the past 40 years, he was promoted from one step to another till date when the exalted throne of the Olubadan became vacant following the passage of Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I on January 19, 2016. In line with the procedure for the coronation and installation of a new Olubadan, Chief Adetunji was on March 4, 2016 crowned the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland and presented with the staff of office by the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Oba Adetunji 89 is widely travelled. He is a successful business man and entertainment impresario with extensive interests in property and real estate.
HIS PAST
My father was a Tailor. I am the first born of my parents’ 17 children. My father had five wives with my mother as his first wife. The story of my parents was interesting. Four years separated their ages and they both died within four years. My father died in 1989 while my mother died in 1993. He says I have no educational certificate and I never attended any school, but I attended lesson classes. My job experience with some white men gave me the opportunity to learn their language by relationship.
HOW HIS TAILORING CAREER STARTED
I trained as a tailor under Mr Disu Alade Igbalajobi from Ijaye. I sew both English and Yoruba dresses. My tailoring business boomed because I displayed expertise in the profession. I had four sewing machines and employed four journeymen who worked on shifts. I have been living in Lagos since 1949, the same year I met Prince Femi Kehinde Osinowo, who is still around till today.
FROM TAILORING TO ENTERTAINMENT
This is a phase in my life that I will never forget. One day, I went with the late Badejo Okusanya on a business trip to Agarawu, Lagos. He used to trade in lock keys and padlocks. After the business of the day, he told me to look for a .porter that would assist us in carrying the goods. I said porter ke? (Why porter). I told him the load was not heavier than what I could carry. So I carried it on my head to his shop at number five, Orogiri Street, Lagos. When we got there, he called one of his staff who was younger to me and asked him, ‘Who is older between you and Saliu? He answered, “Saliu is older.” He again asked him, “The other time we went to Lagos to purchase some items who carried it to the office,” and the worker answered that it was “a porter.”
Then, he told him that “Saliu would be successful in life because of his humility: The rest is history now. Thereafter. he gave me some record discs to be playing for my customers so that they would not be in hurry to leave my workshop. While entertaining my customers with the discs, some of them expressed interest in getting copies and I obliged them in exchange for money, since I was not prepared to give them free because Badejo gave them to me for a purpose. So, within few days, I had sold all the record discs and took the money to Badejo in order to convince him that I actually sold them. When I got to him with the proceeds, he made a startling revelation, saying “Thank God. This same business that I started with your father in 1940, but which he said he could not continue because he was ‘not comfortable with living in Lagos is what you’re venturing into now.” He then counted the money and ordered his apprentice to give
me four and a half shillings as royalty on each record I sold. I used to sell one record for two pounds, 10 and 15 shillings. That was how I came into record disc sales and the business boomed. Thereafter I built a rack to hang the records in my tailoring workshop. But when I was having conflicting interests in both trades, I left tailoring and embraced record disc sale.
THE WORLD OF RECORDS PROMOTION
The first Nigerian to have a record label, the late Badejo Okusanya, who owns Badejo Sound Studio, baptised me into the world of Music business. He was my boss because he was responsible for my eventual transformation from tailoring business to the music industry.
SETTING UP OMO AJE RECORDS
I started Omo Aje records precisely in 1957 at number 2, Oke Popo, by Oya compound in Lagos. After leaving Oke Popo, I bought a building at Number 14, Ibomo Street. The house was constructed with roofing sheets, with two rooms and a parlour.
Unfortunately, the house was consumed by fire, but God blessed me and I erected a two-storey building on the site, using all the rooms on the ground floor as workshop, while we had four flats upstairs. We lived in one flat and used another one as office, while we rented out the remaining two. From there, God continued to bless me. As at today, I own lots of houses at different locations in Lagos and Ibadan. By the grace of God I have been able to work and ensure that various musicians wax records. The list includes: Lefty Salami Balogun, who was a former drummer; Dauda Epo Akara, Tatalo Aremu, Amuda Agboluaje, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Jimoh Ayinla Anikura, Omo Kekere Amoo, Jaiyegbade Alao and many others I can’t remember now.
FROM OMO AJE TO 8 ABALAJE RECORDS
My father bears 8abalaje, so I christened my own company Omo Aje records while he was alive. When he died, I changed to Babalaje being the head of the family.
How I Have Been Able To Live Up To 90
- OLUBADAN Of IBADAN LAND, Oba SALIU OLASUPO ADETUNJI
TRADITIONAL CHIEFTAINCY
I became Mogaji of Adetunji family in 1976, three years after I was first called to do so. I can recollect that the late Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Sulaiman Omiyale, pressured me to become the Mogaji of my family, but I refused because of my business. But he persisted and educated me that being a chief in
Ibadan will have no negative impact on my business. I didn’t yield to his pressure until three years after when I succumbed. Since 1976, I have continued to progress steadily on the Balogun chieftaincy line, climbing the 23 steps according to the tradition of Ibadan chieftaincy, till Allah granted me the grace to become Olubadan today.
MY BENEFACTORS
Today, I owe my success in life to two people. The first person is Badejo Okusanya, who introduced me to record discs sale and assisted me to become successful in the business. The second person is the late Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Sulaiman Omiyale, who persuaded me to become the Mogaji of my family in 1976 during the reign of Olubadan, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe (1976 – 1977) of Odinjo, Ibadan. If not for his persistence, who knows, I might not have taken that bold step to become the Mogaji of my family. So, these are the two people God used to take me to where I am today. I was decorated as Jagunmolu Balogun in 1978 by Olubadan, Oba Daniel Tayo Akinbiyi (1977 – 1982) at Elekuro, Ibadan. For 40 years, I was elevated from one step to the other until I finally reached the pinnacle of the Balogun line, which qualified me to become the 41st Olubadan following the passage of Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I (2007 – 2016) on January 19, this year.
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