BREAKING: Traditional ruler of ancient town dies in Ogbomoso
Yinka ADETUNJI
The Olobamo of Obamoland, in Oriire local government area of Oyo state, HRH Oba James Adegoke Olukunle I, is dead.
Oba Olukunle passed away on October 10 during a brief illness at the age of 90.
This was confirmed to ogbomosoinsightonline.com by a family source, who said, “Kabiyesi has gone to be with his fathers, the strife is over.”
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He’s survived by children and a wife, one wife having transited earlier.
He reigned for more than 32 years as he ascended the throne on May 29, 1992. In 2022, he elaborately celebrated his 30th installation anniversary attended by many dignitaries.
Excerpts from his story as contained in The Insight newspaper No. 159, the special edition published to commemorate his 30th installation anniversary is reproduced below:
Oba Olukunle according to the history of the town is the 19th Olobamo. He ascended the throne on May 29, 1992. Oba Olukunle was born in the 1940s. His parents were Pa Kukola Olukunle and Mama Aina Olukunle (both of blessed memory), of Obamo Olodo compound, Okelerin, Ogbomoso. However, his father died when he was still young and this cost him the opportunity of receiving formal education. Nonetheless, he was able to acquire a smattering of education through the help of one Mr. Farayola, who however relocated to Ibadan for greener pasture. Due to this, Kabiyesi could not continue with his education.
But he never lost hope, he held the belief that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that one day the crawling man would get to the promise land. He struggled relentlessly to make it in life; in his strides he followed one of his uncles, (now late) Adewusi to Isale Odo-Oru area, Ogbomoso to engage in farming. But few years later, his master transited to the great beyond. Thereafter, he joined another uncle, late Alabi to one village near Oja Titun in Oriire local government. He was unrelenting, as he also learned milling from one Jimoh Areo in Baaki area, also in Ogbomoso. He was dedicated and devoted to the milling job and it was not long that he mastered the business and became his own boss. But he first went under Pa Odunbaku Ayinla at Saja Area, Ogbomoso as a journeyman. Kabiyesi worked with this old man from whom he gained valuable knowledge and experience.
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He was always searching for more knowledge meanwhile, to improve himself in the profession; this was the catalyst for his journey in 1965 to Jebba in Kwara state. When he arrived in Jebba, he secured employment with the Nigeria Sugar Company, Bacita, where he worked for years in the technical section, after which he returned to Ogbomoso, this was sequel to an illness he suffered.
In 1975 in Ogbomoso, he ventured into motor sale business, and named his company, “Adak Motors.” His stand was at the former Cooperative Building, at Apake area, Ogbomoso. The business boomed and thrived exceedingly. As a motor dealer he thus attained good success.
Politics also interested him and his passion saw him emerging as deputy chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), at Okelerin ward. Between 1993 and 1994, he was a member of the Customary Court, Oolo, and while he served as a member; Chief Alari Maya was the chairman.
The trajectory of his life changed when he was invited to ascend the throne of his forefathers following a vacancy in the early 1990s. But he refused the invitation, unwilling to bear the enormous burden, in the realization that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. He turned down all entreaties but he eventually caved in, after almost one and a half years. His friend, Pa Sheu Alagbe of Adesiyan compound, Isale Afon Area, Ogbomoso, played a pivotal role in convincing him to accept the challenge. He had told him, “The head that ought to be crowned will definitely be crowned.” And so, on May 29, 1992, he was installed as Olobamo of Obamoland.
His achievements as Olobamo
The colossal challenge initially filled him with fright but he soon got over it. Challenge excites him, difficult situations are motivation to him. His can-do spirit got the better part of him and he would go on to record sterling performance as monarch. His strides will remain indelible in the annals of Obamoland. One of the first notable things he did was facilitating the founding of First Baptist Church, Obamo in 1992. This is significant in that it is a demonstration of his love for the gospel of the lord Jesus Christ.
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His greatest achievement, earthly-wise, however, is ensuring the elevation of Obamo chieftaincy to a crown-wearing status. To accomplish this, he caused series of letters to be written to the Oyo state government through the ministry of local government and chieftaincy matters. His efforts started to bear fruit in 2011 with the approval of recognition as a Part II recognized chieftaincy granted by the former governor of Oyo state (now late) Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala. He did not relent and so, in 2019, he secured elevation as an Oba with the approval granted by late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Furthermore, Oba Olukunle built the first ever Obamo Palace in the year 2015 just as he facilitated the establishment of a health centre in the ancient town through Hon. Sunday Ademola Alalade (of blessed memory).
In 2007, the main road that meandered through Obamo was constructed also as a result of his efforts. Hon. Ezekiel Ajani Oyedepo, who was Oriire local government chairman at the time during the governorship tenure of former Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala, executed the project.
A lover of his community, he also caused the establishment of Obamo Community Grammar School in 2012. His untiring effort also saw him initiating and driving the construction of a hall for the community.
Oba Olukunle had made a lot of impact since ascending the throne of his fathers and he would go down in history as a great builder of Obamo.
His subjects who spoke with The Insight praised him for his achievements wishing him a long time on the throne of Obamo.
