EPE News

Celebrating Alhaji Tajudeen Kaka At 90

Published

3 years ago

Jun 3, 2022.

Joy Udoh

BY Chika Egwu

The gathering was awe-inspiring and a sight to behold as family and friends, colleagues, business associates and well wishers from across the state and beyond converged to honour the iconic, nonagenarian, Alhaji Tajudeen Kaka, as he clocked 90.

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The colourful ceremony was well attended by prominent personalities such as Chief Isa Adio Oduola, the Mogaji-Ngeri of Epe Kingdom, who was the chairman of the Occasion; the Olori of Epe, Mulikat Aribike Adewale; and High-Chief Lateef Olawale Mogaji, Otun-Balogun of Epe Kingdom.

Also, present at the occasion was the High-Chief Musiliu Adeniyi Kadri-Odedeogboro, Ottun-Seriki of Epe Kingdom; and High-Chief Muyideen Shobaloju, the Sarumi of Epe Kingdom.

The event which was held at St Micheal’s Centenary Hall, Kpokpo Oba in Epe started with a Du’a and a recitation of the Holy Quran. Soon after came a heartwarming sermon by Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Epe Branch, Coordinator, Imam Sulaiman Zakariyyah.

The cleric, who emphasised the importance of leaving a good life worthy of emulation said, “You must make sure you leave a good legacy, a good legacy is not about material things, but it is a life worthy of emulation. You must maximize your integrity and not compromise it for anything. To fail in life is not a crime you should always be ready to try again”

There is no doubt Alhaji Chief Tajudeen Olayiwola Adio Kaka is from the bloodline of royalty.

He was born on 21st April 1932 to the royal families of Kaka Edu and Gbajumo in Epe and Erugbe of Ogbere Ijebu East LGA, Ogun State.

His father, Alhaji Muhammad Sabiu Bikanose Mosobalaje Akanbi Kaka, was a devoted Muslim, an astute politician, and a business mogul.

Alhaji Tajudeen Kaka had his primary and secondary education at an Arabic School from 1939 to1959 and Nigeria Government School, Oke Oyinbo, Epe from 1944 till 1952 respectively.

Thereafter, he gained admission into the Cosmopolitan High School, Lagos and later went to the Ansar -Ud- Deen Teachers’ College, Surulere, Lagos.

He explored the field of teaching due to his relish for education. Alhaji Tajudeen Kaka taught as Grade 111 Teacher at A.U.D Pry School, Epe for 3-years and later became a Grade 11 teacher at Lagos City Council from 1967 to 1982.

Chief Tajudeen Kaka was a sportsman, little wonder he became the Sport Education Inspector of Schools from 1982 to 1984.

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As a result of his undying passion and immense contribution to education, he became a Grade 1 Headmaster from 1984 to 1989.

After 36 years of meritorious service to the Civil service, he retired on 14th April 1989. He was appointed as a judge of the Customary Court in Lagos State between the years 1990 to 2001.

As a devoted Muslim and one who upholds the Norms and Culture of Islam, he became a member of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria in 1953 and later participated in Da’wah and other Islamic religious activities.

In 1971, Alhaji Tajudeen Kaka went on pilgrimage to the Holy land of Mecca and Medina to complete the last pillar of Islam.

Due to his dedication to his religion, Alhaji Tajudeen Kaka, was given an award of recognition for his outstanding performance and contribution to the development of the society in 2006.

As an elder statesman of Epe Kingdom, he was turbaned as Aare Musulami of Olorunsogo Mosque, Popo-Oba, Baba Adinni, Oke-Oba Ratibi Mosque, Alakaba, Epe in 1991 and 2016 respectively.

Papa’s social life was not left out as he went on vacations to Europe and the United State of America.

As a prominent son of the Kaka Chieftaincy family, he remains the Mogaji of the Kaka’s family to date and has contributed greatly to the peace and development of the family.

He is married to women of reputation and is blessed with exceptional children and grandchildren.

The Olori of Epe, Mrs Aribike Adewale, who was at the event in an interview with EKO HOT BLOG, described the celebrant as a compassionate and disciplined brother in law.

She said, “He is a nice man, who doesn’t cause trouble and he is always there for everyone. He is my brother-in-law and I like him so much.”

Members of his family were full of praise for Chief Kaka. They described him as a devoted Muslim, an educationist, a man of valour, a humanitarian, and a father to all.

Another in-law of the celebrant, Mrs Ronke Badmus described the icon as a Reconciliation and Religious man.

According to her, “He is an educationist, a disciplined man who is ever ready to attend to any issues brought to him. Alhaji Chief Kaka is a religious person. He always loves to say something about religion and relate it to the happenings of society. He loves all his in-laws.”

The cheerful, vibrant, and proactive celebrant expressed excitement at being able to attain the age of 90 and thanked the Almighty Allah for granting him the privilege to celebrate this day with his adorable family.

Chief Tajudeen Kaka was excited to share stories from the life and times of his father, whose disposition towards Islamic propagation in his family inspired all family members to the extent that they willingly adopted the Kaka name in the neighbourhood.

He extended his appreciation to Kaka Bijawuta, Oko Awusetu, and the 5th Baale of Epe, the Late Pa Ibrahim Daropale Edu, Chief Aina Gbajumo and his maternal lineage.

Chief Kaka, who expressed excitement to be born from a lineage of kings, said he is overjoyed to be celebrating a day like this in his lifetime.

“I am very delighted to witness today’s occasion. I love to see you, my children. I can’t see my parents again because they’re dead. But I’m thankful to God that they fulfilled God’s destiny in my life before they left, otherwise, I won’t be here celebrating my 90th decade of existence. In as much as I’m alive, I’m very happy seeing my people like you, my children, and my family all around the four corners, I love to see them and I pray to have more time to spend with them because of what God has sent me, I have delivered.

“To my children, and the elderly who raised me, I believe I can’t be here without them. Today’s event won’t hold without them and my advice to them is that they should all continue on the path of doing good just as it was handed down to me. This I want to reiterate to all the family members of my origin.

“My parents were reputable people. My father was detribalized and generous person and I emulated their good behaviour. They guided me through the teachings of Islam. My father didn’t allow me to experience any other religion than Islam and that’s why I also entrenched the legacy by sending my children to the Arabic School and also western education. I instilled in them the morals of Islam and the fear of God. I taught them to be prayerful and contented. The grace to live to 90 years is a result of the prayers of my parents and I’m more than excited to encounter this special grace,” he said.

Expressing his gratitude to his family, he said, “I’m grateful to Otunba Tajudeen Abass and others both in Nigeria and America for their financial support and care. Muhammodu Issa, Adeniyi Apakala, Abdulakeem Abass, and Owolabi Abass are always there for me and I pray for their longevity in life.”

see more pictures from the event