Alake Gbadebo: A unique royal father with deep sense of humour, history
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By Femi SHODUNKE
NIGERIA: HOW many of us know much about our royal father, the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV?
This is the question that agitated my minds for several hours, and up till now, after my discovery of the person of Oba Gbadebo: a multi-talented royal father, whose prodigy in history is unique and legendary.
Anyone may know much about the Alake of Egbaland, but there are some aspects about this great royal father that some of us don’t know: he is a soft, pleasant, great husband, loving father (and grandfather), a historical pundit and jovial personality, whom you can never find a dull moment being around him.
My close interaction, of recent, with Oba Gbadebo was by accident of fate, though I’ve known him over the years, even before ascending the throne of his progenitors.
Indeed, I was the first to suggest the idea of publicity to him, through his bosom friend, Mr. Wole Oderinde (a.k.a. Baba Shasha), and directly with him during the race for the vacant Alake stool. But, it never worked as envisaged.
Though it was not originally planned, but, when the decision fell on my lap, I decided to give the “symbol of Egba” a surprise.
On the third day of his arrival in Toronto, Canada for our Egba National Association convention, the sixth edition hosted by my chapter, Olumo Progressive Association Canada, I decided to drive Oba Gbadebo to church, as he insisted on attending a Catholic Church to worship his Creator while on the North American soil.
On seeing me at the wheel by the entrance to his Hilton Hotel, Oba Gbadebo, who was accompanied by his ever-looking young wife, Olori (Dr.) Tokunbo Gbadebo, a PhD holder in
French, and the “Chief of Staff,” Chief Sunday Olurotimi Oduntan, who is the Asiwaju Baamofin of Egbaland, a lawyer, and the Executive Director (Research and Advocacy), Association of National Electricity Distributors, was shocked.
He said whimsically: “So, it is the President that is going to drive us today; this is a presidential treatment. How are you? ” “I’m fine sir, Kabiyesi,” I quickly replied taking off my cap and bowing in deference to his exalted position.
While I drove straight to St. Basilica Catholic Church in Downtown, the church reputed as the first in Toronto, established in 1822, I observed the myriad of discussions that engaged the attention of our royal father in Egbaland.
I only contributed few points anytime he raised interesting issues that I was quite aware of, just as Asiwaju Baamofin too, who has been familiar with Oba Gbadebo more than me, was on hand to corroborate and expatiate on any subject matter anytime Kabiyesi initiated discussion on it.
His wife of over four decades, Olori Gbadebo, too, sometimes contributed all she had inkling about to add colour and
glamour to the discussion, while a Canada radio station was churning old musical tunes of romantic lyrics, which, at times, Kabiyesi was nodding his head and even singing. “I still wanna love you,” I heard Oba Gbadebo singing that aspect of a song by a lady artiste.
Throughout my driving the retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army to the church, with a check on a family member, Mr. Ajibola Callisto (whose wife turned out to be my niece I’ve not seen for over 20 years), on our way back, where we had delicious and sumptuous lunch, and back to the Hilton Hotel, as a journalist I took note of virtually all the conversations, even banters he threw at his darling wife, who spoke softly pleasant and admirable like a young girl still in search of romance and love.
Similarly, the following day, I drove Kabiyesi and his team, who included Oduntan, Jaguna (and now Aro-elect) of Egbaland, Chief Yinka Kufile and my immediate predecessor as President of our chapter, Chief (Mrs.) Tokunbo Caxton-Idowu, the Moragun of Egbaland to Niagara Falls for sight-seeing.
Part of the members of the team that followed us to the church, who included Chief Owolabi Odulate and his wife, Chiefs Adeniyi Akanni and Adeleke Oluwadairo, with their wives (from Calgary), also joined this trip to Niagara. The Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, was not left out to see the wonders on the sea.
We headed straight to Niagara Falls. It was a different Kabiyesi to see and behold with his cut-and-sow-to-fit suit, cap and royal walking stick. At 73, Oba Gbadebo, who joined the Nigerian Army in 1969, acted like a young man, apparently perfectly, physically fit due to his military training and possibly the “abere soja” stuff as alluded to by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo during the coronation of the 10th Alake over a decade ago!
The amiable royal father was full of humility and historical facts as he reeled out outstanding stories of the past, talking about his youthful days at Ake, the contests for the Alake stool, his children, grandchildren and military experience cum closed family members.
For two days in the company of Oba Gbadebo, including our visit to the tallest building in Canada, and one of the tallest in the world, the 144 storey building, CN Tower, where we had dinner while the tower was moving and turning us around, I discovered how passionate he was committed to the development of his people and great town that has its unique anthem and system of democratic governance before the advent of the British colonialists.
At a point, he joked with his wife about her family: the Odunjos, whose progenitor is the late legendary Yoruba novelist, Pa J.F. Odunjo. It was an amazing joke of rivalry between the family members that caused laughter inside the car, while his beautiful Olori jeered and grinned at him for such “exposure.”
Oba Gbadebo spoke about the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the university he so much loved with passion. He never concealed his feelings about the goings on in the campus, particularly the recent riot.
Kabiyesi also remembered the giant strides recorded by the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Balogun, an Egba man from Itoko, who I had the privileged of connecting on phone to have a brief chat with him during our stay together.
“Professor, we shall be discussing later. Se e ti gbo,” he ended his talk with the former Vice-Chancellor and handed my phone back to me.
In fact, he showed his modesty in eating. When a bountiful plate of ‘iyan’ (pounded yam) with assorted meats was dished for him, Kabiyesi rejected. He said: “This is too much, just give me a little, I can’t finish all these assorted meats and please cut the ‘iyan’ into half.” Even at that, he could not finish the ‘iyan’ and the rest of the pleasant meal.
But, he shocked everyone before he began eating. While the serving of food to others was going on, Kabiyesi refused to eat, despite the fact that his lunch was already on the table before him.
“I can’t eat now. I am waiting for all of you to be served before I can go ahead,” he said joyfully. Despite everyone’s deference and pleading to go ahead, he insisted on waiting for others to be served too.
And while he was eating, Baamofin Oduntan and Seriki of Egbaland, Chief Tosin Fadare, engaged themselves in the traditional Ayo game. “Who is winning?” Oba Gbadebo asked at a point. “It’s me Kabiyesi,” Seriki Fadare said with joy. Seriki, who has the mastery of the game, defeated his fellow chief in all the games played, until I took up the challenge.
For the first three games, Seriki Fadare, who was eating and sipping his cold Heineken beer intermittently, defeated me. “Why did you allow Seriki to give you three nothing,” Kabiyesi enquired from me.
“I just allowed him to defeat me to study his game pattern and I am bouncing back now Kabiyesi,” I replied Oba
Gbadebo, who was the Principal Staff Officer to the late sixth Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters between December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985, Maj-Gen. Tunde Idiagbon.
“Do that and let us see how proficient you are in this game,” the first class traditional rulers encouraged me.
And in few minutes, I gave Seriki three games and thus I levelled up.
Kabiyesi was excited. “Now, you have to play the last game for us to know the eventual winner,” Oba Gbadebo said to the amazement of all present in the spacious Callisto’s living room.
After the game, which Chief Fadare won, I said: “Kabiyesi, I allowed Seriki to win this last one as a mark of respect to an Egba high chief.” Oba Gbadebo laughed to the delight of everyone.
Before departing the Callisto’s home, I raised an issue which made Alake to show that he is indeed a man of history. “Look, I remember the question you asked me nine years ago, during my one year anniversary,” he said shockingly, just as he reeled them out.
We left the home with delight, but not until I saw Oba Gbadebo asking for the Callisto children whom I suspected that he wanted to give them parting gift of few dollar notes.
Of note about Oba Gbadebo is his love for his children, particularly the grandchildren. At Niagara Falls, he took time to shop for his grandchildren, with his Olori looking for sizes clothes that would fit the lucky Gbadebo juniors.
Indeed, Oba Gbadebo is a bundle of history. He spoke about how the late first Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, whose father was Alake of Egbaland, Oba Ladapo Ademola (who reigned between 1920 and 1962) returned his deceased dad’s car back to London.
Oba Gbadebo also shared his historical knowledge about Prince Femi Obadina, who contested the Alake stool with him in 2005, whose father hailed from Ijemo, but claimed to be part of the Laarun royal linage of Alake dynasty.
At a point, when I reminded Kabiyesi of the interview I had with his late father, Prince Adesanya Osolake Gbadebo, over the Mosuleka and Lelu Eringing family request to be recognised as one of the royal linages, Kabiyesi’s mood lightened up. He spoke, with all the details, in connection with the controversy, particularly the suit against him over the matter, which he won.
“After the court, they came to me for talks, but I did not entertain them because I told them they should have taken the peace initiative first before going to court,” the royal father concluded his response.
He still connected with his old friends and school mates of over 50 years, one of who is his long-time friend, Pa
Oderinde, often called “Shaha Restaurant” in Ijemo area of Abeokuta. The royal father said of him: “Oh, he is my good friend. In fact, we’ve (referring to himself and his wife) spoken with him since we arrived Toronto.” His wife nodded in agreement and smiled gently.
Oba Gbadebo stressed: “He is one of our classmates who never left Abeokuta since we finished school (primary) together. He is versed in events going on in Abeokuta and he would always call me to brief me about any news.”
“Anytime he calls me, I knew one new development has occurred in town,” he said jokingly and we all laughed.
At Niagara Falls, Oba Gbadebo was ecstatic with his highly boisterous wife taking pictures, and engaging in panoramic capturing too, not minding her royal status, to the delight of everyone.
Kabiyesi showed no sign of fatigue throughout this peregrination. From his look, it was obvious he enjoyed our ride on the boat and he threw banters as we moved thereafter from one spot to another. Ditto the sumptuous dinner we had at CN Tower courtesy of our Patron and fellow Egba, a gynaecologist at a Toronto East General Hospital, Dr. Leke Badmos.
One significant thing that is obvious in Oba Gbadebo is that he is a good listener. When the leader of the Yoruba Community Association (YCA) in Toronto visited him in his hotel, he listened attentively, nodding his head while his glass of wine remained immovable on the table.
After the presentation of their mission, Chief Kufile said: “Kabiyesi Alake, Baba e ti gbo nkan ti awon omo yin so, won de nreti esi yi. Kabiyesi, e da won lohun.” (Kabiyesi, you have heard your children and they are waiting for your response. Please, talk to them).
Oba Gbadebo looked up and adjusted his royal walking stick in the middle of his lap and said: “A ra yin lowo ni gbogbo ona; e ko letter yin wa, a si ba yin fi jise fun awon eniyan jankan jankan ti yoo ran yi lowo, pelu gbogbo awon ti o ni ile ise ni ile Yoruba bi Dangote (Aliko Dangote).” (We shall help in many ways; write your letter and bring to us and we shall give them to prominent persons that would help you, including other people who have businesses in Yorubaland including Dangote.” So said Oba Gbadebo, in a nutshell, to conclude his response.
After everyone present, including Aare Onibode of Egbaland, Chief Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, Chief Oduntan, myself, a guest, two officials of YCE (Kehinde Abiodun, General Secretary and Benjami Adeoba, Youth Coordinator), chorused “Kabiyesi o”, Oba Gbadebo, immediately, stood up and said good night to everyone and left to join his wife in his inner room (or other room).
From the array of discussions while I was his “executive royal driver” and companion, it was definitely obvious that Oba Gbadebo demonstrated clearly he was a loving husband, father to his children and grandkids, a passionate family man, fun-loving, a committed Egba monarch and a consummate pundit in the history of obaship, Egbaland, Yoruba race and Nigeria.
Kabiyesi o!
- Chief ‘Femi Shodunke (Ba’aroyin of Igbeinland, and Ba’aroyin of Agbonland) is the President of Olumo Progressive Association Canada Inc, and Publisher of online newspaper, GatewayMail in Toronto, Canada.
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