Oba Bamgbade made history as the 20th Olofin Isheri Awori land after being selected from the Ayodele Edun Alaka ruling house following the demise of the 19th Olofin Isheri, Late Oba Nurudeen Adebowale Adekanmbi who joined his ancestors on September 21, 2020, after a 16-year rule.
HRM Oba Bamgbade is a seasoned administrator and ICT Engineer who has received training both at home and abroad. The grandson of Oba Ayodele Salami, who ruled between 1955 and 1967, he was born July 1, 1986, in Lagos to the family of Prince Abiodun and Idayat Bamgbade. Upon completion of his school leaving certificate, he proceeded to the Nigerian Military School in Zaria, Kaduna where he obtained his B.SC in Computer Science.
There is no doubt saying that Kabiyesi's regime in the last 1 year has attracted landmark projects to his community. In his interview with Event Diary Lifestyle Publisher Adeola Shittu, Kabiyesi opens up on his life, his new status and his plan for Isheri Olofin and Awori land. Enjoy !!!.
Congratulation on the success of your first coronation anniversary; briefly tell us about yourself.
Thank you very much, am Oba (Engr.) Adekunle Suliaman Bamgbade, the Arole Olofin Ogunfunminire, the Olofin of Isheri and Adimula of Awori Land. I’m From Ayodele Ekun Alaka's ruling house. I was born in Lagos Island, Lagos state. I did my primary education in Lagos before proceeding to the prestigious Nigerian Military school in Zaira after which I was commissioned into the Nigerian Army. While at the Army force I took a study leave to further my education at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Igo-Iwoye where I bagged a degree in computer science. I also went to the University of Lagos, Akoka Lagos for my Post graduate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. I retired from the Army to join Lagos State Civic Service. I’m the CEO of Baybros Engineering services and in September 2021 I received the staff of the office as the 20th Olofin of Isheri land and the Adimula of the Awori kingdom.
Put us through your growing-up days in Lagos Island.
I was born and bred in Bamgbose Street on Lagos Island, I grew up there and I was never born with a silver spoon rather like every other child on the Island. I was born to Princes Abiodun Bamgbade and Princess Idayat Oluwatoyin Bamgbade, my mother is from the Oba Akintoye dynasty in Lagos Island, and both sides of my parent royalty run in my blood but despite that, I was trained to be independent.
You ascend the throne on the 15thof September 2021, as the 20th Olofin of Isheri land, what was running through your mind when you were approached to ascend the throne of your forefather?
I won’t say I was approached to come and be the king rather when my predecessor Oba Nurudeen Adebowale Adekanmbi joined his ancestors, my father approached me, though he was the one that showed interest in the Obaship race; due to his health challenge as at then and he felt the opportunity should not pass his family, this and other reasons made him approach me. Don’t forget that nothing good comes easy, so when my father informed me of the obaship race for the throne, I was a bit skeptical and was not sure of what I am getting myself into. I don’t know whether to be happy or sad. My emotions then were mixed feelings but when we started jostling for the race and I was been considered for the throne of the Olofin of Isheri; I was happy and immediately reach out to other contestants that we all jostle for the race. I want to use this medium to appreciate the good people of Isheri Olofin and the entire Awori land for the opportunity given to me to serve them in this capacity. Though it has not been
an easy race, we thank God for the development and progress so far. Am also thanking the kingmakers for their role although the process, they make it possible for me to ascend the throne of my forefathers as the 20th Olofin of Isheri and the Adimula of the Awori kingdom.
What had been your contributions in the last 1 year?
It’s too early for me to talk about my achievement on the throne. But I will say the journey in the last 1 year of my reign as the Olofin of Isheri land has been fruitful, fruitful in terms of infrastructural projects. Before I ascend the throne, the road network had been an issue, so our first landmark project was to open up the town in other to have a variable road network that will link to the palace, which is the art of the town. Though it was not easy to achieve the task, because the government agency was not forthcoming but with the support of my people and the community, we kick-started the project in our little way and luck smiled on us, when the lawmaker representing us at the Federal level, Hon. Isiaka Ayokunle Ibrahim helped us facilitate the construction of Isheri Olofin palace road which was recently commissioned. This project changed the land scale of the town and it’s now a modern road with drainage on both sides. Aside from that, Kontz Engineering Limited donated solar-powered street lights for the palace road.
Also within the space of one year, we have renovated the palace of Olofin of Isheri and we have also embarked on building a modern palace because Isheri remains the origin of all Awori in Lagos state, Ogun state and diasporas, it’s going to be a twins building and work is in progress. Our doors are open to investors
Talking of the Awori before I ascend the throne, I will say there was disunity among them and Isheri Olofin who is the headquarters of all the Awori was not in charge as we were lacking behind. So when I came on board as the Olofin of Isheri land, my first assignment was to preach unity among ourselves and bring everyone together. This progress leads me to initiate an Awori summit which gives birth to the Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria (AWAN) and Awori Natives Coalitions (ANC) the two bodies were brought together under one roof. The Awori summit was the first of its kind and it was held in May this year. The turnout was massive and it was well attended by Awori Oba’s, industrious sons and daughters of Awori home and aboard. We discuss issues affecting us and the way forward. By the grace of God, it’s going to be an annual event because we are ready to move Awori forward.
In terms of security, what had been your contributions to securing the lives and properties of your people, going by the facts that Isheri Olofin has the highest number of northerners in their mist?
First and foremost, I want to appreciate the good people of Isheri Olofin in the last 1 year for the peace that reigns in the community. In terms of security we are making effort, you will agree with me that isheri is one of the largest castle markets in southwest, Nigeria. In a nutshell, we have lots of foreigners living within and around us and we have the largest extraction of Northerners living with us. And this makes our defence to be very fragile but with the help of God and the support of the community, we had been able to manage it in the last 1 year. Also, I want to appreciate the proactiveness of the security personnel around us. We have set up an emergency security committee headed by Osungbo and Ologonimi whose duty is to curb any forms of insecurity in the community. They also have to interface in any clash before it gets out of hand. Also, don’t forget that Isheri Olofin is an ancient town and they cherish and appreciate their tradition, so they have their means of protecting their properties. Aside from all the security measures put in place, am proud to say Isheri is a peaceful town and we are very accommodating.
Was there any prediction while growing up that you will become a king?
Yes, there was a prediction. And I want to believe ascending the throne of Olofin of Isheri land was a destiny come true. We were many that contested for the throne but at a stage, we were shortlisted to two candidates and the kingmakers got stuck on who ascends the throne between myself and the other candidate; they decided to consult the Ifa oracle but don’t forget that everyone has their preferred candidate. In other not to have a crisis after the oracle might have spoken, we had an agreement and we sign a peace accord that we will accept whoever the Ifa choose and support such a person. But to my surprise, I was favour by the Ifa divination and here we are today. I will use this medium to appreciate the gods of our land, our forefathers and the kingmakers for picking me and making the prediction come to pass.
As the Olofin of Isheri and Adimula of Awori Land, how cordial is your relationship with other Obas in Awori land?
We have a cordial relationship and as for the throne of Olofin of Isheri land, the throne is as old as itself irrespective of who occupies it. The two royal titles accost respect and within the last 1 year, I have demonstrated my leadership skills and also extend a hand of friendship to all the traditional rulers of Awori land. At the same time, I also respect the sovereignty of every traditional stool and their town but according to history, the Olofin of Isheri is the Adimula and paramount ruler of the Awori kingdom and like I said respect is reciprocated. So when I ascend the throne, I embark on a Royal Peace Tour; it was a self-initiated fence-mending assignment. The historical royal visit was interactive between me and the Awori Oba and their subject and relevant stakeholders in the host community. The tour was pragmatic.
I visited ten Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) spread across two states (Ogun and Lagos), where people of Awori settled over the years. My reign will pull the Awori collective back from the brink of division and strengthen the bond of unity that was once the hallmark of Awori communities. In the last 1 year, I have enjoyed a cordial relationship with them.
Isheri Olofin is known as a custodian of tradition and cultural heritage in terms of festivals. As a devoted Muslim, how do you in term to keep and promote this heritage?
Like I used to tell people, I don’t have any other job than to work for the interest and promote Isheri and Awori land. Since the day I ascend the throne, I know, I am now the custodian of Awori / Isheri culture and tradition and I have been attending cultural events in towns and settlements of Awori land I will again appeal to our people to bring their events to my notices, I am ready and willing to join them in promoting their cultural heritage because it’s my duties to secure and promote our heritage and culture. To my immediate community (Isheri), we have set up a body that we entrust with the responsibility of finding a way of upgrading our custom and tradition celebration without losing any aspect of it. but while that is ongoing the traditional celebrations are still taking place as they should be. As I said we are ready to promote our culture, tradition and festive. Our Jegede festive and Igunnuko festive are still the best. In a nutshell, am ready to carry out my duty to promote the culture and tradition of Awori land and the Isheri people.
You are no doubt one of the youngest monarchs in Lagos and Ogun state, how have been able to adjust and cope with your new lifestyle, going by all the does and don’t surround the throne?
First of all, I want to appreciate my pretty Olori who stood by me and she had been able to manage the throne for me. Secondly, my new status as the Olofin of Isheri land has changed my lifestyle entirely and it limits me to do lots of things, for the way I interact with my family and some of my friends has changed. But I thank God, have changed and adjusted with time to the new custom of my people. Thirdly, being a monarch has affected my social life but at the same time, I will say am enjoying my new status and am grateful to God for everything.
How do you unwind?
I relax mostly when am with my family and my people.
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