Oba Adetunji Was An Element Of Stability - Oloko
The director of publicity to the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Hon. Adeola Oloko has described the late monarch as an element of stability in Ibadan and Nigeria.
Responding to questions from a newshunt in his Popoyemoja office, the progressive minded media aide spoke on the life and time of the late monarch, identifying him as an epitome of modesty.
Excerpts:
Q: Oba Adetunji has proceeded to the great beyond, how do you feel with this development?
A: Kabiyesi joined his ancestors at a time the people of Oyo state will need his knowledge, experiences and recommendations towards the development of the state but there is nothing he could do about it but we believe God knows best. Like every other human being, we all fall sick and after sometime we recover back on our feet. Kabiyesi fell ill and he took some first aid but when we discovered he was not recovering very fast, we decided to take him to UCH for further medical attention.
Unfortunately he proceeded to the great beyond after spending 93 years on earth, since then, family, friends, stakeholders, community leaders, and religious leaders have been visiting his residence to pay condolence visit to the family.
We thank God for a life well spent by Kabiyesi. This is a man that served as the Chairman Oyo State Council of Obas and Chief. His kingdom transverse 21 towns and over one thousand villages.
Out of the thirty local governments in the state, his domain covers eleven local governments and Ibadan has 50% of the total population of the state.
Oba Akanmu Adetunji is a royal father that has passion for his people, extending his generosity to the less privileged in the society and not only that, he was a humble person who brought royalty to the doorstep of the people.
Whenever people called him Kabiyesi, he responded by saying God is Kabiyesi, he is just the Olubadan of Ibadanland. This reflects that he had a very high esteem for God who created the universe.
Having said that, his wisdom and experiences in life commanded a lot of respect from his colleagues. I could remember sometime last year when he appeared at the National Council of Traditional Rulers, the Sultan of Sokoto said we are very privileged to have the oldest monarch in the country and we will continue to explore his experiences for the development of the country.
The Alake of Egbaland, The Obi of Onitsha, the Emir of Kano, the Ooni of Ile-Ife have visited him in the palace to exchange ideas which will move the country forward.
Kabiyesi was a very simple man and that is one of the beauties of life and it is a lesson for all of us to learn from him. Apart from that, when you are blessed, your endeavours should also be a blessing to others.
Kabiyesi was able to mentor people like Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Alao Malaika and so many musical stars in the entertainment industry and they are all alive to be a testimony to Kabiyesi's goodness.
Q: What are the key areas you think other royal fathers could emulate from his lifestyle?
A: When you see people, give them their dues, don't distort history. You won't lose anything by giving people their dues.
If you come in contact with the late Olubadan, he will give you the much regards you deserve and he will say that is the way he was brought up.
He is a man that does not underestimate people; rather he gives people the honour they deserve and he is a man that believes strongly in God.
We are not saying he does not deserve to die looking at life expectancy in Nigeria. At his age, he has been able to provide selfless service to mankind and we are talking about a man of the people and that is why a lot of people don't want him to die.
God has deposited in him a lot of resources to add value to the human race and he does not discriminate; whether you are Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba. In the area of conflict resolution, come and see the way he resolves issues with wisdom and intelligence.
When we were involved in crises during the era of late Ajumobi, many people felt Kabiyesi would just override the issue and get them out of office but Kabiyesi said no, where does the interest of Ibadan lie? so let it be and that is a clearing mark of a statesman.
Q: What is your message to the people of Ibadan?
A: My message to the people of Ibadan is that we should continue to maintain peace and I think we should let the sleeping dog lie in the interest of the city.
The interest of the city is greater than the interest of anybody and that is the reason the founding fathers of Ibadan realized that the city will be too big, let us make it together.
The people should have a large heart and accommodate each other.
