By OLADAPO SOFOWORA
The popular axiom “Kings are born not made,” aptly captures the royal sojourn of the Olofa of Offa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Muhammed Oloyede Gbadamosi, Okikiola Esuwoye II from Anilelerin Ruling House Offa, in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State. Over a decade ago, after the demise of immediate past Olofa, Oba Mustapha Olawore Olanipekun, the ancient offa stool was thrown vacant. Anilelerin and Olugbense ruling houses presented candidates to contest the stool.
After several legal tussles, the curtain was finally drawn on the legal tussle on May 1, 2016, when the supreme court ruled by upholding the selection of Oba Gbadamosi as the legal and rightful occupant of the Offa throne. The news spread across Offa town like wildfire. The whole town roared in wild jubilation as victory was ascertained in favour of the highly loved philanthropist monarch.
Before he became king, he attended Birni-Kebbi Polytechnic between 1982 and 1985 where he bagged a National Diploma in Building Technology. He later moved to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Technology in 1989. With his passion for personal entrepreneurial skills, he ventured into the business of buying and selling rice, sugar, salt and cement. He also founded MB Integrated Electrical and Data Services Limited; Zarm Poultry and Feed mill industry, Lagos and Yammfy Nigeria Limited.
On Tuesday August 10, the highly revered monarch celebrated his 58th birthday anniversary with no much fanfare. Known for displaying his regal opulence at every given opportunity, Kabiyesi refused to throw a big birthday shindig and settled for prayer offerings to his creator and also to donate to the needy. On the eve of his birthday, his palace was filled with praise singers, drummers who came to celebrate the social monarch chanting traditional panegyrics for him. He also received several visitors who came to celebrate with him and also feted them with the very best of meals and drinks. Sources averred that when he turns 60 in 2023, plans are currently ongoing for a week-long birthday shindig that will shut down the whole Offa town. “Kabiyesi will not celebrate any birthday until he clocks 60 in 2023. By then he will be ready to host the world in his kingdom,’ a source disclosed.
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