Oloye Ademola Akinbola, who was installed yesterday, March 2, 2024, as the Onigegeara of Ile-Oluji Kingdom, spoke with The Podium Magazine’s Oji Onoko. Here are excerpts from the interview.

Congratulations on your installation as the Onigegeara of Ile-Oluji Kingdom. Did you see this coming? How do you feel?

Thank you my brother for the felicitation. Not at all, I wasn’t expecting it, especially coming on the heel of the Ile-Oluji National Merit Award which was graciously conferred on me in December 2021. Naturally, I feel excited to be bagging another award in three years. To be honest with you, I feel appreciated. I thank God for this recognition because it is God that blesses the works of our hands and grants us divine favour.

Also, I thank my King, HRM Oba (Dr) Oluwole Olufaderin Adetimehin, FIIN, FCIB, Jimoko II, Jegun Olu-Ekun of Ile-Oluji Kingdom, for finding me worthy of this title. I do not take it for granted. I am happy that my little efforts are being recognised and rewarded. I thank Olori (Dr) Adetokunbo Olubunmi Adetimehin, esteemed members of the Jegun-in-Council, all chiefs, and indeed the entire Ile-Oluji community, So, I am glad, very happy to be the pioneer recipient of this chieftaincy title.

What does this title mean? It seems unique

Yes, it is unique. I am the first person to receive this title. Onigegeara simply means the one who does wonders with his pen. This must have stemmed from what God has enabled me to do with my writing skills and talents. So, the Onigegeara title is in recognition of my journalistic accomplishments as a Publisher and an author. I have authored six books to date.

How have these skills and talents been used for the benefit of Ile-Oluji Kingdom?

Well, in many ways. Let me just cite two notable ones here. I pioneered the publication of Who’s Who in Ile-Oluji in 1994. It is a book that features the brief profiles and pictures of eminent indigenes of the Ile-Oluji Kingdom. The book recognises the milestone achievements of indigenes who have excelled or are excelling in their chosen endeavours. We have published six editions, and preparations are ongoing for the 2024 edition. The book was unveiled in the United Kingdom and the United States of America where we have the preponderance of Ile-Oluji indigenes. The book has successfully enhanced the reputation of the Ile-Oluji Kingdom and its indigenes.

I am also the Publisher of Ile-Oluji Times, the first global community newspaper that serves the interests of Ile-Oluji indigenes at home and in the Diaspora. To the glory of God, I have been publishing the newspaper since 2011, and it is also online at www.ileolujitimes.com. Through the Ile-Oluji Times and other social media platforms, I have contributed meaningfully to the positive projection of the Ile-Oluji Kingdom brand.  On Facebook and other social media platforms, everyone knows me as a proud citizen of the Ile-Oluji Kingdom, unrepentantly so.

What is the lesson and significance of this chieftaincy title to you?

Hmmm… Beyond the glamour and the fanfare, I think it is a clarion call to duty for me and others in my generation. It is a monumental challenge. You know, as they say, the reward for hard work is more work. After all the excitement of the title conferment, it will be time for more strategic thinking and planning on how to continue to push the Ile-Oluji brand; how to keep promoting the good works that Jegun Adetimehin is doing, and how to get better in the task of sensitising, mobilizing, and changing the mindset of our people. I have previously had useful discussions with Kabiyesi on this, and there is no going back on the need for a better-promoted and well-packaged Ile-Oluji. Work is progressing.

Let me use this opportunity to announce that I have registered a website for Ile-Oluji which will be dedicated to the promotion of all the activities of the community. The website will be formally unveiled in April 2024 by the grace of God.

Talking about the lesson for me, it is simple. It is all encapsulated in Galatians 6:9 (NIV) – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”, and also in Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going”.  These two bible verses sum it all up for me.

They contain some of the principles that inspire and motivate me to do what I do for my beloved Ile-Oluji and humanity in general.

For those who are familiar with publishing, they know that it is neither a tea party nor a stroll in the park. It is not only capital intensive, the returns can be very abysmal, except for some special occasions when we get advertisements. Despite the challenges, we have remained steadfast and committed because it is all about community development. Community media organisations are hardly profitable on a large scale, but we thank God for sustaining us. So, the chieftaincy award is the reward or harvest mentioned in the bible verses above. And you know what, nothing is greater or better than being recognized and honoured by your people. Once again, I am grateful to God and thankful to Kabiyesi for this honour.

What informed your passion for Ile-Oluji Kingdom?

Ha, oro po ninu iwe kobo o. Let me try and summarise it. I was born in Ibadan, Oyo State to the family of Mr & Mrs. Samuel Akingbolagun Akinbola. As I was told, I was a very lively and boisterous child (not troublesome o). Laughs …. At about age three, my maternal grandmother, Madam Dorcas Adebolaji Adegoye, was visiting my parents in Ibadan. She observed how hyperactive I was and told my mum that she should be allowed to go back to Ile-Oluji with me so that my mum could have some respite. Her request was granted with all pleasure. So, I spent part of my childhood at the Oke Otunba home of my maternal grandparents, Pa David Metiwo Adegoye who passed on at the age of 78 in March 1981, and Madam Dorcas Adebolaji Adegoye who passed on at the age of 87 on April 22, 1987.

When it was time to start primary school, I was bundled back to Ibadan. At every opportunity, I found myself in Ile-Oluji and I began to love it there. From attending Adura Owuro with my grandma at St Peter’s Anglican Church daily at 5 am to hawking Kolanut for her at Oja Odolua, and selling Kerosene (arokun epo oyinbo, epo oyibo kii sun o), I had a chequered upbringing replete with love, care, and discipline. Thus began my romance with Ile-Oluji. I must pay tribute to my parents for being intentional about getting all their children to spend quality time in their hometown.

This became more evident when I had to ditch Abadina College, Ibadan, and Government College, Ibadan after passing their common entrance examinations, to attend Gboluji Grammar School, Ile-Oluji. The “coup” was perfectly planned by my dad and clinically executed by my mother and grandmother.

But, it turned out to be a watershed in my development. The five years I spent at Gboluji Grammar School marked a turning point in my life. The lessons learned are still being applied today. By the time I left Gboluji, returning to Ile-Oluji for holidays and short visits became inevitable as I simply fell in love with the language, the people, and the culture. In 1994, I decided to publish Who’s Who in Ile-Oluji. I got to meet a lot of good and great people in the process, and that marked the beginning of my association with eminent achievers in the town, an association that has blossomed into mutually beneficial valuable friendships. So, you can see that no be today as the Gen Z guys love to quip. I am grateful to my parents, grandma, and all that God has used to trigger and sustain my interest in Ile-Oluji.

What are your views on how Ile-Oluji can develop more in all aspects?

Let me start by unequivocally and proudly commending the Jegun-in-Council, the Ile-Oluji Development Council (IDC), and the Ile-Oluji Assembly for the various leadership roles they have continued to play in birthing the new Ile-Oluji. The last 8 years have witnessed unprecedented and unparalleled development in all phases of our lives. Kudos to our amiable, hardworking, and creative Kabiyesi, Oba Olufaderin Adetimehin, for masterfully leading the Jegun-in-Council, the Obas and Olojas, and the entire community. A visionary leader like him is what we need to propel the community to a higher level of development.

I also want to acknowledge the selfless and relentless efforts of Evang (Chief) Mrs. Modupe Phebean Ogunsusi, the Chairperson of the Ile-Oluji Development Council (IDC), and Oloye Aro Sola Akinfemiwa (OON), Speaker of the Ile-Oluji Assembly (IA). These are the three tripods on which the development of Ile-Oluji rests. They have all done wonderfully well.

Most importantly, the God factor cannot and should not be minimised or ignored. Without the grace and mercy of God, we wouldn’t have any success stories to share. To this extent, I salute the Ile-Oluji for Christ Ministry for its over 30 years of relentless and ceaseless prayers and intercession for Ile-Oluji. We must give glory to God and appreciate the efforts of Pastor Gbenga Adegbenro, Mrs. Adun Akinyemiju, Pastor Wole Oladiyun, Pastor Oriade Johnson, and other Ministers of God who have kept the prayer altar alive. Their prayers made the various development initiatives easy to implement.

In 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, Apostle Paul reminds us of the irreducible role and influence of the God factor: “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”

Going forward, there is a need for more unity and love. Where there is unity and love, development happens effortlessly. I know we love each other in Ile-Oluji, and let us focus on sustaining and improving on this love. We also need to continue to work together towards the attainment of a common goal and a shared vision, irrespective of our political or religious differences. The Ile-Oluji agenda should and must supersede any individual or group agenda. The principle of collective responsibility should guide us at all times; once the Jegun-in-Council and the generality of the people decide on a course of action, let’s all embrace it and ensure it succeeds even if we have a different opinion.