Ikare Akoko, the commercial, political, and entertainment capital of Akoko land, has a rich historical background.
It is equally endowed with great sons and daughters, such as Otunba Mohammed Jobi-Fele, Chief Kunle Abdul and Prof. Kola Folayan, and of course an array of successful present generation of Ikare indigenes. It has equally played host to an endless list of people from other tribes, regions, towns, and villages who today are so proud of their cradle years of living in the town in the years past. People today who are leaders and big-time players in national politics, economy, and commerce. The editor of The Nation Adeniyi Adesina was born and bred in the town, although he is of Ijesa extraction.
Anytime Ikare Akoko is mentioned, it brings in great reminiscences of a wonderful time of the past as a young man for me. A very rich historical past indeed.
The reign of His Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi Oba Akadiri Momoh IV, JP CON, has brought tremendous glamour, positive developments, and added commercial value to Ikare land in the past forty years. I was opportune to meet with Kabiyesi in the 80s, 90s, and early years of the millennium through my affinity with his nephews, most especially Lekan Bada. Kabiyesi radiates royalty mixed with dignity in humility. A very handsome man full of grace and honour. He was my late father Felix Idowu Aiyegbusi’s classmate at the Jubilee Central Primary School in the early fifties. If the classmates photograph taken at my father’s Eightieth birthday in 2015 is to be referenced, then Kabiyesi and Chief Joseph Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are the last men standing as of today in that class. Equally, my late mother and the Senior Olori were classmates in the 50s, too. Interestingly, my late parents and the junior Olori were knighted by the Anglican Diocese of Auchi together with Chief Joseph Sanusi by the current Bishop of Akoko Diocese, His Grace Bishop Job Bada, who was then the Bishop of Auchi Diocese in 2007. Kabiyesi Olukare was always present at every ceremony that involved my parents. He was there at my father’s sixtieth, seventieth, and Eightieth birthdays. He was there at my junior sister’s wedding in 2001. His staff of office symbolising his presence was there at my father’s funeral in 2019, and junior Olori was physically present. My late father revered and treasured his relationship with Kabiyesi until his death. Kabiyesi has continued to be the shining light in Ondo state. His loyalty and dedication to the growth of his community and the state are unrivalled. Kabiyesi will never be unnecessarily antagonistic to government policies, even where he sees it differently. All the successive governors of Ondo State have all had good relationships with Kabiyesi, including Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. His reign has brought developments to Ikare land such that today, Ikare is a bubbling city with a township dual carriage way, good internal road networks, and other physical developments. Indeed, Kabiyesi is a pride to Akoko land. The Momoh Royal family has been a wonderful royal family that I am proud , very proud to have associated with in the past and present. “Awon omo ile Oba” like we used to call them in the 80s are all wonderful people. Successful people in their various fields across professional lines, academics, commerce, and politics in their own rights. I remembered vividly all the fun we had at Kabiyesi’s coronation forty years ago, and at his one year anniversary in 1985 when he gave chieftancy titles of Otunba of Ikare land to the late Otunba Jobi-Fele, Akogun of Ikare land to Prince Jide Adeniyi and Balogun of Ikare land to the late Chief Kunle Abdul. A few years later, the chieftaincy celebrations of Chiefs Dele Akinyele as Otun Akogun and Kasali Alo as Omotomo and others were equally glamorous. Kabiyesi’s friendship tentacles extend to Edo State, with his good relationship with the Esama of Benin, Chief Osawaru Igbinedion.
I congratulate every member of the Momoh family, direct and indirect, including but not limited to, Chief Dele Akinyele, my brother, Sunday Akinola, Gbenga Akinola the olori- ebi himself, Prince Dom Momoh, my good egbon, who made me walk through a glass door at the University of Ibadan in 1987 when he was the chairman of Kuti hall, Lawyer Gbenga Sonuyi, people’s lawyer, my friend and egbon, Prince Taju Richardo Momoh, my friend Lekan Bada, a passionate ambassador of the Palace, my friends Sesan and Sule Richardo Momoh, I recall with nostalgia the special bond between Kabiyesi and Sule then in 1984, 85 and 86, and the entire Momoh family on this glorious occasion of Kabiyesi’s forty years on the throne anniversary. The family can hold its head high as Kabiyesi has made them proud. I congratulate all the traditional and honourary chiefs of Ikare land, including but not limited to my dear egbon Asiwaju Alex Akande, Chiefs Fasa, Rasaki Oshodi and all others. May Kabiyesi live long on the throne of his forefathers in good health and prosperity Insha Allah.
• Aiyegbusi wrote from Abuja
