42nd JCI, Nigeria National Convention |Abeokuta|October 9-12,2014|Green Legacy Resort, OOPL,NNPC Mega Station, Abeokuta | ROLL CALLS OF ALAKE AND PARAMOUNT RULER OF EGBALAND . Chief SHODEKE, Regent of Abeokuta 1829/1845 Chief SOMOYE, Regent of Abeokuta 1845/1846 and 1862/1868 Oba SAGBUA OKUKENUN, Regent of Abeokuta 1846/1854 and 1st Alake of Abeokuta 1854/1868 Oba ADEMOLA I, 2nd Alake of Abeokuta 1869/1877, married and had issue Oba Sir Ladipo Samuel Ademola II (qv) Oba OYEKAN, 3rd Alake of Abeokuta 1877/1881, died 1881 Oba OLUWAJIN, 4th Alake of Abeokuta 1881/1891 Oba OSHOKALU, 5th Alake of Abeokuta 1891/1892 (1898?) Oba GBADEBO I, 6th Alake of Abeokuta 1892/1920, born 1854, declared Paramount Ruler of Egbaland circa 1914, married and had issue. He died 28th May 1920. Oba Sir Ladipo Samuel ADEMOLA II, 7th Alake of Abeokuta 1920/1962, Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, born September 1872 in Ake Palace, Abeokuta, married Tegumade Alakiya, and had issue. He died 27th December 1962. Rt. Hon. Sir Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola, born 1st February 1906 in Ake Palace, Abeokuta, G.C.O.N. [cr.1972], C.F.R. [cr.1963], Kt [cr.1957], K.B.E. [cr.1963], educated at King’s College, Lagos and at Selwyn College, Cambridge University 1928/31 (BA later MA), was called to the bar (Middle Temple ) in London in 1934, and later in 1959 became the only African ever appointed a bencher of the Inn, crown counsel at the then Attorney-General’s Office (Nigeria) 1934/35, assistant secretary at the southern secretariat in Enugu, Eastern Nigeria 1935/36, in private law practice 1936/39, appointed Magistrate of the Protectorate Court in 1939, appointed Puisne Judge in 1949, served as a member of the commission for the revision of court legislation in 1948, appointed Chief Justice for Western Nigeria in 1955, he became the first Nigerian Chief Justice of the entire Federation of Nigeria in 1958, member of the United Nations International Public Service Advisory Board, member of the International Commission of Jurists 1961/-, executive member of World Peace through Law, vice president of the World Association Jurists, president of the Nigerian Red Cross Association, chairman of Nigeria Cheshire homes, member of the International Olympic committee 1963/-, member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and president of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, one of the founders and chairman of the Metropolitan Club, a founder member of the Island Club and vice patron of the Yoruba Club, Chancellor of the University of Nigeria 1975/-, married 1stly, Dorcas Molola Johnson, married 2ndly, 1939, Kofoworola Moore, the first West African woman graduate- she took a BA at Oxford- and daughter of the late Eric Moore, first Lagos member of the United nations committee of experts advising on labor conventions and regulations, and had issue. He died 29th January 1993 in Lagos. Adenekan Adekunle Ademola (by 1st wife), born 27th July 1926 in Lagos, married Isabella Olive (Ademola), and has issue, 4 sons and 1 daughter. Oba Adesiinan Samuel GBADEBO II, 8th Alake of Abeokuta 1962/1971, born 1908, from the Laarun Ruling House; married and had issue. He died 26th October 1971. Oba Samuel Mofolorunso Oyebade LIPEDE, 9th Alake of Abeokuta 1972/2005, born 26th January 1915 in Erunwon, son of Omoba Adebowale Lipede (grandson of Deluola, a daughter of King Jibodu), and his third wife, Adeline Abiola Lipede (of royal birth from the Jibodu/Taiwo family of Itesi township), died 1944, educated at Saint Peter’s School in Ake, enrolled at Abeokuta Grammar School 1931/1932, but was forced to relocate to the C. M. S. Grammar School in Lagos in 1933 until 1936, after the death of his father, joined the Customs and Excise Department of the British Colonial Administration in Lagos on 17th May 1937 as a second class produce inspector, he moved to the Marketing and Export Department in the capacity of a Shipment Officer in 1949, he was posted to the London office in 1956, returning to Nigeria in 1960, became head of the Shipping in the Nigerian Produce Marketing Board in 1962. He retired from the service of the Marketing Board as a Principal Shipping Officer in 1971,before his installation as the 9th ALAKE of Egbaland. PRESENT RULER: HRH Kabiyesi Adedotun Aremu GBADEBO III, 10th Alake of Egbaland since 2nd August 2005. Oba Micheal Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV was born at Ake, Abeokuta on 14th September, 1943 to late Omo’ba Adesanya Osolake Gbadebo (29th December 1911 – 4th March 2003), one of the sons of Oba Gbadebo I, the 6th Alake who reigned from 1898 to 1920 in Abeokuta. Late Omo’ba Adesanya Gbadebo was the only surviving son of Olori Stelia Gbadebo. Oba Adedotun Gbadebo’s mother, Madam Musiliat Amoke Gbadebo (23rd June, 1923 – 19th March 1985) hailed from Ikopa in Abeokuta and was the oldest daughter of Imam Mustapha Odejinmi Taiwo and Madam Munirat Taiwo, a prosperous trader. Both of them lived and worked at Ijoko-Ota. The Gbadebo family is a branch of Okukenu family of Laarun ruling house. Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo is the second child, but first son, in the family of Late Omo’ba Adesanya Osolake Gbadebo. He and his siblings had a disciplined upbringing and were not pampered; but they had tender parental care and guidance in their formative years. In those early years, he had a lot of fun playing football and engaging in other childhood pastimes with his friends in the then open space between the family house and Ake palace. As a young boy, Omo’ba Adedotun Gbadebo was enrolled as a pupil at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) School, Itesi, Abeokuta in January 1949 and passed out in December 1956 after his Nursery and Primary Education. He had his Secondary Education at the famous Baptist Boys’ High School (BBHS), Oke-Egunya, Abeokuta from January 1957-December 1962 and his Higher School Certificate course at the Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan from January 1963 – December 1964. His favourite subjects were English Language and History and he was quite active in the literary & Debating Society. At the BBHS, he had the privilege of meeting quite a number of eminent Nigerians as seniors or teachers. Among them were Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, a former Minister of Finance in Nigeria, Chief R.A.B. Adeyi, and a past Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Oduyemi and the Late intrepid journalist, Tunji Oseni. What greatly influenced his life were the lessons he learnt from the Monday sermons of the then principal of BBHS, Late Deacon E.L. Akinsanya which always centred on the topic ‘good heritage’ (i.e. ‘Ogun rere’) which should be jealously guarded and preserved. He has always been inspired by the wise message of the short poem ‘The past is story told; the future may be written in gold’. He was noted for being spic and span in his school days. He is a staunch member of BBHS old Boys Association and was President of 57-62 set between 1997 and 2005 when he voluntarily relinquished the position following the approval of his selection as the New Alake of Egbaland. At the University of Ibadan he was a member of the Tedder Hall Executive Council in the 1966-1967 academic year. On 21st April 1971, he got married to Tokunbo Odunko, now Olori Dr. (Mrs.) T. Gbadebo, daughter of Late Pa J.F. Odunjo, renowned for Yoruba Literature works and Asiwaju of Egbaland and Late Mrs. Emmanuela Olabosipo odunjo, Iyalode Gbogbo Ibarapa. The marriage is blessed with four sons who are doing very well in their respective professional fields and grandchildren. His nuclear family is a closely knit one. Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okekenu IV, has, by dint of hard work, achieved notable success in the highly competitive world of the private sector, which has strengthened his background for the exalted royal position of the Alake, Paramount ruler of Egbaland. He has traveled widely all over the globe on business and religious trips. Among the countries visited so far are: Thailand, United States of America, Germany, United Kingdom, Hawaii, Israel, Italy and Portugal. During his successful foray for two decades into the private sector, he promoted and established interest in five corporate organizations starting with an appointment as Acting Managing Director, Foremost Dairies Nigeria Plc from July 1987 to July 1989. Presently his active designations are: Chairman and Chief Executive Dot Holdings Ltd. Chairman, Adegal Construction Company Ltd. Chairman, First Dolphin Travels & Tours Ltd. Director, Ocean and Oil Service Ltd (Core Investors of Unipetrol Plc). Chairman, Global Haulage Resources Ltd. The new Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, is a highly respected person in social circles and he is very active in the followings prestigious clubs as: Member, Abeokuta Club Past President, Rotary Club of Ikeja South, Ikeja Lagos Member, Yoruba Tennis Club, Lagos Member, Ikoyi Club, 1938, Lagos Member, Moderate Club, Lagos Member, Island Club, Lagos Member, Lagos Motor Boat Club, Ikoyi, Lagos Member, Country Club, Ikeja Associate Member, Lagos State Public Service Club. Ikeja Member, Retired Army, Navy and Air-Force officer’s Club, RANAO After his Higher School Certificate course, the new Alake proceeded to the Premier University in Nigeria, University of Ibadan in 1965 where he successfully graduated and bagged Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons) degree in 1969. To further satisfy his educational thirst, he successfully underwent on the job Post Graduate Diploma in Education at the University of Ibadan from September 1974 to June 1975. He attended the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Nigeria from September 1978 to August 1979 and passed out in flying colours obtaining the Psc. During the period of his secondary and tertiary education, he established a deep bond of friendship with some of his classmates and contemporaries; these included Dr. ‘Kola Ashaye, Dr. (Ven) ‘Kunle Obadina, Dr. Ayo Bajomo, a retired navy captain, Mr. Murana Ayilara, Mr. ‘Tunde Amosun, Mr. ‘Tunji Odegbami, Prof. ‘Biodun Falusi, Prof. ishola Adamson and Mr. Adetunji A. Aderounmu, with all of whom he still maintains very close ties. In December 1969, he was commissioned as a full lieutenant in the Nigerian Army and served meritoriously in the following capacities: Officer Instructor, Nigerian Military School, Zaria (Feb 1970 – July 1971); Adjutant, Nigerian Army School of Education, NASE, Ilorin (July 1971 – September 1973); Chief Instructor (Oct –Dec 1973) and Senior Instructor, NASE, Ilorin (Oct. 1973 – August 1974); Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Army Headquarters (Edn), Lagos during which he simultaneously acted as Finance officer (Sept, 1975 – Aug. 1978); General Staff Officer GD I Coord/Training, Command and Staff College, Jaji (Aug. 1979 – Aug. 1981); Chief Research Officer, Nigerian Army Institute of Education, Lagos (August 1981 – August 1982); Assistant Director of Army Education, Headquarters, I Mechanized Infantry Division, Kaduna (August 1982 – January 1984). The Military career spanning about sixteen years culminated in a Twenty-month glorious stint at the Supreme Headquarters, then, the seat of the Federal Government of Nigeria; firstly, as Assistant Director, States’ Administration with responsibility for the six States that constituted the old Western Region of Nigeria including the then Bendel State and finally as Principal Staff Officer, Supreme Headquarters, Dodan Barracks from January 1984 to September 1985. During his brilliant military career, he paid study tours to: British Joint – Staff College, Latimer, U.K. British Naval Staff College, Greenwich, U.K. British Army Staff College, Camberley, U.K. The Royal Air-Force Staff College, Bracknell U.K. He won various medals including the National Service Medal (NSM), Defence Service Medal (DSM) and Forces Service Star (FSS), among others. Among the important attributes of Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV, which endear him to numerous people across Nigeria and abroad, but which cannot be mentioned here because of limited space, are his excellent human relations, humane nature and patience He is an epitome of humility, industry, kindness and justice and has passionate support for upholding the culture and tradition of Egba in particular and Nigeria in general. Undaunted by the challenges of life and being full of zest for life, he has never allowed the vicissitudes of life to hold him in down but faces difficulties whenever they come with strong and focused determination. Nothing disturbs his equanimity. His hobbies include playing Lawn Tennis, Piano, Squash Rackets, Polo, Driving and Listening to Music. The new Alake is a devout Christian who has served in various capacities in the Catholic Church and participates fully in the activities of the Anglican Communion. Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV is chronologically the 30th Alake but the 10th to reign in Abeokuta. Still our history as a foremost independent protectorate under the British rule. We are Waiting to host you in October!!!
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 16:55:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015