25 years today, the Tiger rested
IN MEMORY OF
HRM OBA SIR OLATERU OLAGBEGI 11 KBE OLOWO OF OWO
(1941 to 1966) (1993 to 1998)
Kabiyesi,
It is exactly twenty five years today October 30th when a torrential rainfall heralded with thunderstorm shook Owo town which unknown to many was your welcome signal to the land of your Ancestors. It was a Friday, the rain fell cat and dog marking your Glorious transition to the land of the Spirit after 25 years of dedicated service to your people as the 29th Olowo of Owo from 1941 to 1966. In a rare feat, a record that only you can boast of in the entire Yoruba Nation, you came back triumphantly to the throne of Owo Kingdom to succeed your successor for the second tenure as Olowo of Owo in 1993.
It was a triumphant entry to the Aafin Owo where you hurriedly left in 1966. Accompanying you to the ‘Aghofen’ Palace on this historic day was your Brother Omiye mi, Oba John Agboola Ojomo, the Ojomoluda of Ijebu Owo who rode with you in the same car to the Palace to a joyous welcome from thousands of Owo people. It was the beginning of your second reign that lasted for five years to make 30 years of meritorious service to your people of Owo Kingdom before your Glorious transition on October 30th 1998
Today, it is twenty five years that GOD ended the assignment, the Tiger slept never to wake up again, the King bowed to the last ritual for all Mortal. The end of an era, the end of an eventful journey of 88 years on Mother Earth. The life and time of an influential Yoruba Oba, the legendary Oba Olagbegi 11 that reigned as Olowo of Owo during the pre Independence Colonial rule Nigeria when the words of a Monarch is an authority. The Oba Olagbegi 11 that also had the privilege of reigning during the post colonial Independent Nigeria. The life and time of a First Republic Nigeria politician, co founder of Afenifere and Action Group party.
It is the life and time of a Nigerian Nationalist who contributed to the attainment of Nigeria Independence in 1960. The life and time of one of the biggest African polygamous King, a Great father of many Children, the Patriarch of the largest Royal family in Yorubaland, the Olagbegi Dynasty. It is the life and time of a Sportsman, Charismatic King, flamboyant, handsome, humorous, eloquent and a wealthy Yoruba King of all time, one of the earliest Kings in Nigeria to acquire the status Rolls Royce car. A proud recipient of the British honour of Knight of the British Empire KBE.
Kabiyesi, all these historic monuments of your life and time would one day be documented and taught in secondary schools in Yoruba Nation to be captured for the younger Generation to learn resilience, courage and unflinching belief in the divine hand of GOD Almighty. These are giant footprints on the sand of history that will continue to re echo for today and as a compass for tomorrow.
Erun ren o Kabiyesi, Ogwa Aladeterun
It is on record that you contributed your quota to the development of Owo Kingdom through many legacy infrastructure that history is still bearing witness till date. In the first Republic Nigeria, you pushed Owo town to the frontier of development making Owo town among the earliest towns in Nigeria to enjoy electricity, pipe borne water, telephone service, education, Agriculture, health Centre etc. Your passion for development was impeccable, your love for your people was undiluted, no wonder Owo was widely regarded as ‘Ogho Olagbegi’ during the first Republic. It is also on record that you contributed your quota to the development of Nigeria through many London Constitutional Conferences that you were a Delegate for the attainment of Independence for Nigeria in 1960.
In Nigeria Sport development, you remain evergreen, a veteran player of lawn Tennis and Billiards with the sponsorship of many tournaments till date. In Human Capital Development, your contribution will be difficult to matched, you trained your Children and donated hundreds of your Children to virtually every profession either in Medicine, Law, Engineering, Teaching, Accounting, Science, Sport, IT, Communication etc Today, your name reverberates in all professional circles all over the world. Indeed, you came ,you saw and you conquered.
Ogwaluwaye Oketedomale, we report that your legacy is well and alive, your Kingdom is in safe hands, Owo Kingdom is moving forward, peaceful and prosperous. The last Igogo festival was a blast, a carnival and you will feel proud that competence, integrity and honor reigns in the land. Kabiyesi, we celebrate your 25th Anniversary. Sleep well the Tiger, fearless and courageous leader.
We remember you today, the 25th Anniversary of your departure to Glory. It is twenty five years like yesterday when Owo Kingdom was thrown to deep mourning and total disbelief.
Sleep well Alayeluwa Oba Sir Olateru Olagbegi
The 29th Olowo of Owo Kingdom,
last President of Western Region House of Oba and Chiefs, Minister without portfolio Western Region Government, Nationalist, Sportsman, a Great family Man.
We pray that your Soul will continue to receive favour from the throne of GOD Almighty.
Sleep well Baba. Sleep well Ogwaluwaye
Erun ren o Ologho Olagbegi 11 Oma Otedolafe
…. oju pan keke mafo
… oran gbo Oma jigijigi kawo Oma konno
…. ekon uli ye pa tokoo je … Agbogbomaja
… Oma Ologho Elewuokun ayun ugba one tore
…. Okooko abe o se ponla eni ponla a fa lenu
Erun ren o Ogwa Olomiye Oma Osuporu Agheru. Eternal Rest Grant Him Oh LORD
Fondly remembered :
Princess Adefunke & Foluso Adebisi
Lagos, Nigeria
