... As He Speaks On His 10th Coronation Anniversary
Oba (Dr.) David Makanjuola Ajaja, Olufemiloye Olu III, the Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti, was born 70 years ago. This accomplished academic ascended the throne of his forefathers as the 26th Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti, Ekiti State, on 25th November 2011. Oba (Dr.) David Makanjuolaaa Ajaja was presented the Staff of Office by Governor Kayode Fayemi, during his first term of office, on the 31st March 2012.
The Kabiyesi holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA). He was a Civil Servant with the Federal Ministry of Culture, Orientation, and Tourism, where he retired before taking a lecturing job with the Ekiti State University.
Itapa Ekiti is in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State. It shares boundaries with Ilupeju Ekiti and Osin Ekiti both in the same Oye Local Government. Recently, Event Diary Lifestyle’s Princess Adeola Shittu was at the palace of the Owatapa, where the monarch spoke about his ascendancy, his life, career, his forthcoming coronation, and many other issues. It is as inspiring as it is educative and enjoyable.
Kabiyesi! Sir, briefly tell us about yourself
Thank you so much. My names are His Royal Majesty, Oba David Makanjuola Ajaja Olufemiloye, the Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti Kingdom. I was born 70 years ago to the family of Makajuola from the Ola Ruling House, in Itapa Ekiti. I started my elementary education at St. Dominance Catholic Primary School, Itapa Ekiti, my residence shares a fence with my primary school. I proceeded to Methodist Modern School, Itapa Ekiti, we used to call it Oke Agariji. I spent a year there (1966). My mother changed my school to Ifaki Methodist Model School, now known as Alupapa, where we have the current BSES station. I left there for Egbe Oba High School, Ikole Ekiti, for secondary education. I was there for one year, and again I had to move to Ise/Emure Grammar School, Ekiti State, when my cousin, the late Chief Rufus Ogunyemi Araola moved, so I followed him, and there I finished my education in 1975. After secondary school education, I proceeded to the Ondo State School of Arts and Science, Ikare, for Higher School Certificate (HSC) where I pursued my High Certificate (Advanced Level) in June 1971. I gained admission to study History at the then University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife). I graduated in flying colours and came back to my root in Itapa Ekiti to teach. I taught at various schools, like Ayedun Comprehensive High School, Ekiti, Methodist Comprehensive High School, Aye Ekiti, among others but the fact is, I have a passion for education and this led me to pursue my Master’s Degree in International Relations and I graduated in November 1987. With a Master’s Degree in International Relations, I returned to my work and I got employment with the Federal Ministry of Culture, Orientation, and Tourism in Lagos. It is noteworthy that the same year I joined the Corporation, I was transferred to Bauchi as a Senior Tourism Officer. I didn’t stay long in Bauchi before I was transferred back to Lagos, I spent a year and I was transferred again to Abuja. It was while I was in Abuja that I enrolled for my Ph.D. programme in International Relations and by the special grace of God, I passed it. I worked with the Ministry until 2011 when I had to retire because of age. But as grace would have it, on getting back home, I was approached to be the successor to the throne of Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti as a Prince. As at that time, everyone was clamouring for me to ascend the throne of my forefathers. Interestingly, at the same time, I had secured two lecturing appointments in two different universities before I left Abuja, but destiny will always have a way to play itself, and by popular demand of my people for me to succeed my elder brother who joined our ancestors, I was left with no choice, so I had to play ball (that is, I agreed) to their demand and like joke, like joke, we are celebrating 10 years on the throne as the 26th Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti.
Any plan for your 10th Anniversary as Owatapa?
Yes. And by the grace of God, it’s going to be a 2-in-1 event. I will be celebrating my 10th coronation anniversary and it will be garnished with my 70th birthday anniversary. The two-day event has been slated for the 16th and the 17th of April, 2022 by the grace of God. Part of the activities to mark the day is the chieftaincy title we will be given to prominent personalities among other activities.
What fired your passion for education to the level of Doctorate even when you knew you are likely to become an Oba?
Thanks so much. There used to be an American intellectual, a former American President, Professor James Madison, who attended and lectured at the London School of Economics and Political Science. In one of his quotes, he said: “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, a people that want to be their own masters must arm themselves with power, which is only knowledge”. To be sincere, Professor James Madison was a great inspiration and his statement was a challenge to me. Also, the lives and times of some of our past leaders in Nigeria/Africa also posed a challenge to me, the likes of late Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and academically, the likes of the late Professor Isaac Olajide Aluko of the then University of Ife, the late Professor J. F Ade Ajayi, an emeritus Professor of History and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos among others. Their academic attainment inspired me to do more in terms of education and I thank God today I am a member of the court of intellectuals in the world, according to UNESCO education statistics. It says only 10 percent of the world population holds a Ph.D. in whatever field and I thank God that I am one of that 10 percent.
In all these, do you have any sense of self-fulfillment?
Am I fulfilled? Yes, I am fulfilled and grateful to God. Academically I am much fulfilled and I have no regrets becoming the Owatapa though there are prices to pay for it. I forfeited my lecturing career, my Doctorate to become an Oba in my town but I appreciate the fact that destiny came in and God’s plan played out. Though until 9 months ago, I used to lecture at Ekiti State University where I teach History.
How many other Princes contested the Obaship position with you?
By the grace of God, 12 of us contested for the race. In Itapa Ekiti, we have two ruling houses: Ogogulesho Ruling House and Ola Ruling House. The last Owatapa was from Ogogulesho Ruling House, so it was the turn of Ola Ruling House, where I come from. I won the race even though I didn’t like the Obaship thing, but here we are today.
When you were approached to become the king, what was going through your mind?
To be sincere becoming an Oba was the least on my mind. I have a pathological hatred in being an Oba, if there is anything I detest on earth is Obaship. It will interest you to know that the first young man who called me Kabiyesi, I abused him to his face, I said to him: you people are wicked, you didn’t ask me to go and represent you at the State House of Assembly, even to be your Councilor here in Oye Local Government Council, you didn’t do that, it is Kabiyesi you are praying for me. Back then, I seriously disliked chieftaincy titles but what God has ordained, who are you to say no. My becoming King was destined by God not my wish. Look at me now, a Ph.D holder heading a town, settling disputes and at the same time catering for the needs of my people, we can’t question God, neither can we query our destiny. God gave me more responsibilities to shoulder for my people and Itapa Ekiti in general.
Was your father or grandfather ever a King in Itapa?
It is interesting that neither my father nor my grandfather was a king though my late father contested for the throne and lost. But as God would have it, the same day I ascended the throne, marked 70 years that my late father lost the throne to his opponent. It was exactly that day that I was crowned the 26th Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti.
Was there any prediction that you are going to become the Owatapa of Itapa Kingdom while growing up?
Not that I know of but I believe that whatever is going to happen to one in the course of his journey through life, has been pre- determined by history. There is what we call historical determination in Philosophy of History. Whatever falls on our laps is known to God who created me and you. I am not a Bible scholar but the Bible is clear too on it, that whatever one will become on earth has been given to one from heaven. There is a popular proverb that says, ‘no leaf falls from tree without the knowledge of God’. So my becoming Kabiyesi Owatapa is pre-ordained by God. But I could recollect that why growing up, my late mother used to give me a small sword made by a blacksmith, she would ask me to wave it 3 times across my eyes, after that she would collect it back from me and keep it. She did this for me once in a year and she did it till her death, reason for that, I don’t know and she didn’t reveal it to me. It might be as a result of what she heard, I don’t know but like I said, destiny will always have its way to play out.
In the last 10 years, what has been your contribution to the development of Itapa kingdom compared to when you ascended the throne?
Thank you very much. You will agree with me that arrival takes precedence over revival, you have to arrive before you revive. I ascended the throne as Owatapa in April 2011 and by the grace of God, I have been able to move Itapa from a stranded position to the mountain top. God has used me to put its name on the world map. For instance, my 10 years on the throne has attracted Federal Government’s presence to Itapa Ekiti, we have been able to raise the visibility of the town more than what it used to be. Today, we have the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) in Itapa Ekiti, that is, the School of Directorate of Pre-degree programme. 7 communities actually lobied for it but Itapa Ekiti eventually got it with the grace of God. Again, the Magistrate Court was renovated, expanded and upgraded for use, which was not like that before. As at today, I will say Itapa is expanding every day, our palace is wearing a new look, and most importantly, we are very accommodating and we record achievement and development on a daily basis.
Coming from a Civic Service background and been a sociable person, how were you able to cope when you became the king?
I will tailor my answer to the limitation that surrounds my position as a respected Kabiyesi in a community that is well cultured in traditional values and norms. Before ascending the throne, I used to be a social person and even up till now, but there are limits to that now. Back then I used to attend social parties and clubs, and if there was a party where they use the light of candle to see the environment, I would be there, not to talk of a DJ party. But now, I will say I am not an ‘ordinary human being’ again, I am now an oracle ordained just like my fellow Obas, though I still attend functions but there are some events I can’t attend. I am sure you are aware that Kabiyesi's do not see dead bodies. In 2014, I paid an ultimate price for this throne I am, that was the year I lost my first son mysteriously, a Deputy Commandant at NSCDC. He obtained his PhD at the age of 28. It was a supreme price, I don’t pray for again. When his corpse was brought home, because no Prince or Princess of Itapa is buried outside the town, it was a difficult period for me as I was forbidden from seeing the corpse. These are some of the things we can’t do as Obas. Though I have a way of socializing, I am a golfer, so once in a while I take time to play golf. While I was young I used to play football and I was nicknamed ‘soccer’. In a nutshell, I have a way I make myself happy.
The issue of ‘Omo Oriete’, is it also applicable to Itapa Ekiti?
You see, whatever we call tradition or culture is very spectacular especially, in Yoruba land. Though some towns do not place much importance on it but here at Itapa, it is part of our tradition, a child born on the throne is part of our tradition. I have a child on the throne.
How do you unwind?
I love reading a lot, in my palace I have my personal library, likewise in my house, I am a product of history and I love to acquire more knowledge every day, and in doing so, I am exposed to books. I am a golfer, I play and I love to be with my family and my people. I love meeting and interacting with new people.
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 David Makanjuola Ajaja, the Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti){kind=link}
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