In some parlance, blue blood refers to members of the royal family that must be honoured and celebrated. Celebrating the royal breeds usually brings together both the high and the low. It’s not in any way different in Igbaja, the headquarters of Irepodun local government of Kwara state, where the nonagenarian monarch, His Royal Majesty, Elese of Igbaja and Irese land, Oba Ahmed Babalola Awuni Arepo III, was modestly celebrated upon attaining the age of 90 years few days ago.
The event was put together by the Igbaja Peoples’ Forum (IPF) to honour the monarch who is also the chairman, Ifelodun traditional rulers’ council. IPF is a household name synonymous with the development of Igbaja community in all ramifications, all with royal support from the Elese.
Oba Babalola Awuni was born to the family of Disu and Ebelola Babalola Arepo Dynasty of Ile Iya Oba Compound in Igbaja. As considered befitting to some royalties in this part of the world, Oba Awuni, blessed with both male and female children, has three Oloris (titles often given to traditional rulers’ wives) in the palace. The senior Olori is known as the Iya Aafin, in the person of Alhaja Aminat Babalola Awuni, followed by Olori Medinat and Olori Mariam in that order. Through mutual cooperation among themselves and respect for one another, they make the palace environment conducive for the monarch to properly serve his subjects and keep watch over the community for the good of all.
The royal father ascended the throne sometimes in May, 1989. To God’s glory and his unrelenting efforts, the community has witnessed tremendous achievements that include the establishment of the Campus of Al-Hikma University and Abdulraheem Oladimeji College of Advanced Studies amongst other notable developments.
As a democrat that he is, the Elese, by virtue of his position of the head of traditional rulers in the local government, makes it a point of duty and responsibility to carry other monarchs and people of the area along in activities concerning the locality and the state in general.
Quite typical of the Igbomina people, he left for Lagos to commence his apprenticeship as a trader under the tutelage of now late Adada Muniyun (Baba Sidi) at the age of 26. Before his ascension to the throne, Prince Awuni was a trader in various goods in the popular Docemo (Dosumu) area of Lagos and had made name in the business world.
As the king turned 90, the IPF, under the leadership of Dr Doyin Rasak Ogunleye, feted the monarch under whom they have recorded unprecedented achievements in Igbaja. Ogunleye said: “Igbaja is our home, our own special London, and our monarch is best among equals and must be celebrated by all. This is why IPF is taking the lead in this celebration.”
Highlighting the achievements of the movement in the last few years, Ogunleye noted that IPF purchased two minibuses to empower two of its members, renovated the Primary Healthcare Centre in addition to the purchase of a minibus for the use of the Igbaja Cottage Hospital to enhance efficient performances of the doctors as well as other medical staff.
This provision also enhances easy movements of patients to the hospital from different areas of the town. The IPF also built and equipped an ultramodern e-library made accessible to all and sundry. Besides, seeing the dilemma often faced during festivities and other celebrations with regards to feeding for visitors or non residents, The Promise, a modern eatery and bar outlet in the town, was encouraged to operate in the community through the construction of a befitting hall.
The IPF executives and members say happy birthday to Alayeluwa, Kabiyesi Oba Ahmed Awuni Babalola Arepo. Kade pe l’ori, ki bata pe l’ese, irukere a d’abere.
