July 20, (THEWILL) – A few weeks ago, His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, installed the third Akosin of Yorubaland, Habeeb Okunola, after consultation with the Oyomesi (the Kingmakers) in an event that will go down in history as a memorable one to be cherished by residents of the ancient town of Oyo. Here is how the installation ceremony went.
The man, Habeeb Okunola
Born on August 2, 1981, Habeeb Okunola is a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of TILT Group of Companies Limited, a multinational corporation with 10 successful brands that cut across real estate, construction, oil and gas, energy, engineering, agriculture, trading, dredging, asset management and technology. Hakeem also sits on the board of several blue-chip companies. He is the founder of Habeeb Okunola Foundation, a non-profit organisation. He is also an author.
Why the Alaafin chose to confer Okunola with chieftaincy title
Hakeem Okunola was installed as the Akosin of Yorubaland due to his philanthropic gestures, which have impacted millions of underserved poor people and communities across Africa, especially in the area of financial inclusion, education, health, security and prison reforms.
Venue of the event
The installation ceremony was held at the Alaafin’s palace. Initially scheduled to take place in March 2020, the ceremony was postponed for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The post-event party also held at the expansive premises of the palace.
The MCs
The event was hosted by four Masters of Ceremonies. One of them was the Editor of THEWill Downtown Magazine, Latasha Ngwube. The others are comedian and actor, Woli Arole, whose traditional roots and in-depth knowledge of the Yoruba came handy; comedian Kenny Blaq and MC Bleach.
The Alaafin and his wives
One of the biggest spectacles of the day was the Alaafin of Oyo’s entrance. His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III walked in surrounded by his beautiful, light-skinned and young wives, delegates and aides. All dressed in matching colours of gold, it was quite the moment as he and his wives got serenaded at intervals.
The book launch
An integral part of the event was the launching of the celebrant’s book, Little Bites of Inspiration. The book is a personal guide filled with short motivational messages to help keep young people and budding entrepreneurs on track. An unspecified sum of money, which probably ran into several millions of naira, was realised from donations and pledges at the book launch.
Oba Elegushi came through for Okunola
One of the royal fathers in attendance at the event was the Oba of Elegushi, His Royal Majesty, Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III. The monarch attended the installation ceremony unaccompanied by either of his wives. Had they been present, Olori Sekinat Elegushi and Olori Hadiza Elegushi, both of whom haven’t exactly gotten along, according to reports, would have caused quite a storm.
Oba Elegushi’s decision not to attend the event in company with either wife would certainly have raised a few eyebrows. If he had decided to come along with his first wife, Olori Sekinat, questions of tribalism might have surfaced around his treatment of his second wife, who is a northerner. On the other hand, Olori Hadiza, the daughter of famous human rights activist, politician and businessman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, couldn’t have accompanied the king alone to the event as it would only aggravate the rumoured friction in her relationship with the first wife. Besides being from the North, she isn’t quite used to the Yoruba tradition yet and would have been out of place.
President Buhari’s brother in-law threw weight behind Okunola
Another monarch who also made it to the ceremony was the Dujima of Adamawa, Musa Halilu- Ahmed. Dressed in his full royal regalia, he was accompanied by up to 50 delegates, all dressed up in similar costumes. The Dujima, who is the biological brother to wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, played a key role in the president’s election campaign back in 2015. He has close ties with the Alaafin, having served as the chairman of the All Progressives Congress Ward Committee for Oyo State.
At that time, he led a seven-man committee appointed by the presidency to midwife the congress held across the 351 wards in the state. He is also a close friend of the celebrant.
Otunba Osifeso represented Ijebu royalty
The recently conferred Olotu-Olowa and Madasa of Ijebuland, Otunba Lekan Osifeso, also graced the ceremony. The businessman cum socialite, who had just launched a new construction company, Retro Construction Company Limited, was at the event.
Abisoye Fagade’s positioning
Public Relations and communications marketing guru, Abisoye Fagade was in attendance as well. Being a close friend of Okunola, one might argue that positioning himself in one of the most influential gatherings in recent times, could only do his political aspirations some good. The Sodium Group boss, who had just lost his mother a fortnight before the ceremony, still turned up in a cheerful mood to celebrate with his friend.
Gani Adams put aside Oodua matters to party
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams, was also present at the ceremony. The activist, who was anointed generalissimo of the Yoruba by the Alaafin of Oyo back in 2017, had to put aside the Oduduwa self-determination agenda to let his hair down.
Roll call of VIPs
Other notable dignitaries in attendance were the Oloja of Epe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun; Aladeshonyi of Odo Noforija, Epe, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja; Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo; The Oloja of Ugbe Ayekaland, Ondo State, Prince Babatunde Michael Ayeyiowa; Olu-Nla of Itori, Oba Abudulfatai Akamo; The Alaketu of Ketu Epe, HRM Adegboyega Adefowora; Olotu-Olowa, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare; Chairman of Ogbomoṣo North Local Government, Oyo State, Hon. Olamiju Alao-Akala; Hon. Shina Peller, Fatai Owoseni and many others.
K1 De Ultimate’s Performance
Not to the surprise of many, K1 De Ultimate was called on to end what was a blissful event. The Fuji icon who was also installed by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi as the first Mayegun of Yorubaland about seven months ago, spent the first half-hour of his arrival exchanging pleasantries and granting photo requests from other dignitaries and fans alike. King Wasiu Ayinde did what he does best as he kept the guests on their feet, performing some of his classic hit songs as he brought the event to a close late into the night.
About the Author
Kehindé Fagbule, who self-identifies as a middle child between millennials and the gen Z, began writing as a 14 year-old. Born and raised in Lagos where he would go on to obtain a degree in the University of Lagos, he mainly draws inspiration from societal issues and the ills within. His "live and let live" mantra shapes his thought process as he writes about lifestyle from a place of empathy and emotional intelligence. When he is not writing, he is very invested in football and sociopolitical commentary on social media.
