Late Olobamo of Obamo, Oba Adegoke: 'The unbelievable builder,' now one year in Elysium

Late Olobamo of Obamo, Oba Adegoke: ‘The unbelievable builder,’ now one year in Elysium

Femi OGUNLANA

Today, October 10, marks the first year of transition of HRH Oba James Adegoke Olukunle l, the Olobamo of Obamo, in Oriire local government area of Oyo state.

To mark this event, a story published in the print version of this medium – THE INSIGHT – in the edition dated Saturday, August 12, 2022, no. 159, and headlined, “The Unbelievable Builder – Olobamo of Obamo: The man, the history,” to commemorate his 30th anniversary on the throne, is reproduced below.

Not a bastion of formal education, devoid of the finesse of the modern elite, limited in material acquisition but these lacks he put at bay refusing to be confined.

A heart of gold rather he possesses, passion to drive greatness he is an embodiment of, insatiability for progress his forte, indefatigability the energy that propels him, a prodigious leader, an initiator, selfless, epitome of humility and a go-getter. (That embodies) Oba James Adegoke Olukunle 1, the 19th Olobamo of Obamoland.

Obamo in Oriire local government area of Oyo state is in jubilation. The community is currently embroiled, no, not in crisis but in festivity. The monarch of the town, Oba James Adegoke Olukunle 1, the Olobamo of Obamoland is 30 years on the throne of his forefathers. Drums are already being rolled out, gongs are sounding vehemently, dancing gears are being adorned, cows are being downed, the heavens themselves are blazing forte the important milestone!

Today, July 30, will thus go down in history as a memorable day in the agrarian community, the day one of its greatest and Iongest reigning rulers attracted an unusually large crowd. Something similar to this occurred in late 2019 when the same monarch celebrated his elevation as a beaded crown-wearing Oba, courtesy of the Oyo state government. The landmark was celebrated with pomp and pageantry, as the town rocked with an extraordinarily large crowd made up of very important personalities as guests.

Oba Adegoke Olukunle I had received the approval of the Oyo state government in a letter dated May 21, 2019, during the tenure of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi. “The Governor has approved Oba James Adegoke (Olukunle 1), the Olobamo of Obamo in Oriire local government of Oyo State to wear coronate as The Oba with effect from 21 May, 2019,” the letter of approval had read.

That event was attended by many traditional rulers including (now late) Onisapa of Isapa, Oba Buraimoh Amodu Akinsowon lll, Alapa of Okin-Apa, Professor John Akintola and Olodanbon of Odanbon Oba (Dr) Gbadebo Adepoju Idogbe Akintade l. Also in attendance was Dr Saka Balogun, Chief of Staff to former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

The remarkable event featured the public presentation of an album, “Obatomowolowo,” which gives oral history of Obamo, goodwill messages and royal dance.

In his address Oba James Adegoke thanked the Oyo State government for the elevation of Olobamo stool, noting that it was a deserved honour.

Delivering the homily, titled, “Eight things that will make you a successful king,” Rev’d Dr Simeon Ayandeji Fasoro, of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, said he was proud to be the spiritual father of Oba Adegoke while charging him to make a difference as a royal father.

To make a difference he advised the traditional ruler to see his position as a call by God, to be Godly inclined, continue to find time to develop and to surround himself with good advisers and to always seek God’s wisdom like King Solomon.

Others are to be obedient, live by good example, always stand by the truth and lead from the back.

Origin of Obamo

According to Oba Olukunle, the founder of Obamo was “Obatomowowaye” or “Obatomowolowo.” The Obamo people trace their ancestry to Oduduwa through the Ila-Orangun royal family. The name, “Obatomowolowo,” was so coined because of the circumstances of the birth of the progenitor of the Obamo people, he was found to have folded his hands at birth. This was mysterious. To unravel the mystery, oracles were consulted, which directed that sacrifices be offered. Subsequently, the folded hands were unfolded, lo and behold, a bunch of cowries was discovered in the folded hands. Cowry was the money in vogue, the means of exchange, at the time. In addition, a glistening crown was found glued to his forehead, and so, the name “Obatomowolowo” – the king that clasped money (cowry) evolved as a reflection of his strange birth. The child became popular and he would later found a settlement called “Obamo” which was a corruption of “Obatomowolowo.”

Obamo grew in size, importance and popularity. The Fulani War of the 19th century which threw the whole of Yorubaland into confusion and crisis and many towns into desolation also affected Obamo, thus, the “Obamoans” sought refuge in Ogbomoso, which was turned into a centre of resistance against the furious, mounted invaders. Within Ogbomoso, the Obamo people settled at Okelerin area, where they remain till today, though after peace was restored they returned to their ancestral land.

Oba Adegoke Olukunle and his achievements

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.

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.

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.

‘He now belongs to the ages’

In 2024, October 10, he laid down his sword as a good fighter and great builder of his town. He made an ineffaceable mark.