Oba Adeniyi Of Igbobi Sabe Reminisces On 10 Years Of Progress, Seeks Elevation Of Culture

By Babawale Solomon

Eko Hot Blog reports that HRM Oba Owolabi Adeshina Adeniyi (Maforunyomi 1), the Oba of Igbobi Sabe, Lagos State, is set to celebrate the tenth anniversary of his coronation.

The grand event is slated for Sunday, December 10, 2023, at the Federal Science and Technical College ground in Yaba, Lagos.

Distinguished guests, including Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, HRM Oba Fatai Oyeyinka Aromire, the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu land, and Chief Dr. Kolawole Akinloye Oladeji, the chairman of the occasion, are expected to grace the occasion.

Notable attendees also include the Chief Host and Executive Chairman of Yaba LCDA, Hon Dr. Kayode Adejare Omiyale, among others.

In an exclusive interview with Eko Hot Blog, Oba Adeniyi expressed gratitude for the grace of God during his ten-year reign, reflecting on the kingdom’s history.

The monarch, who ascended the throne of his ancestors on November 30, 2013, noted that Igbobi Sabe has experienced significant progress in the past ten years of his reign.

“Some people celebrate their birthdays yearly, seeing it as an important thing. When talking about celebration, we are giving thanks to God for keeping one alive, not just for a royal stool or royalty,” he told our correspondent.

“I was installed on Nov 30th, 2013, and we started counting from there. It became a week, a week became a month, a month became a year, and from one year, God spared our lives—no sickness, nothing.

“My third year was a big celebration because we believe people should know you are alive and active. My seventh year, God allowed me to celebrate that in the palace, though the palace was not fully completed. We used the celebration to mark the coming into the palace three years ago. Myself, my wife, and my children are okay—spiritually and mentally, we are fine.

“What made the tenth-year celebration more special is that the youth of my kingdom are fully involved in this celebration. They have their own Aso ebi and their own program in commemoration of this celebration. It might be rough a little bit, but it’s normal. We thank God for bringing us this far.”

Oba Adeniyi briefly gave a rundown of the activities preceding the grand finale on Sunday.

“We have started our celebration since November 30, and we will do that till December 10, which is the grand finale,” he said.

“On the 30th, we had a press briefing to jumpstart the program. The Bethesda School of the Blind, when they came to celebrate with me, we gave them palliatives. We have a Gelede effigy in our roundabout not too far from the palace, and it will usher people into the community.

“That’s why we put it at the gateway. It was done and unveiled on Tuesday. We had the coronation for the whitecap chiefs last Saturday. Friday is for the installation of honorary chiefs, and Sunday will be for the major feasting.”

The traditional ruler further revealed some historical facts about the kingdom and the challenges he faced in preserving a culture that’s almost extinct and hoped to elevate the culture like the glamorous Lagos Eyo.

“This kingdom is an ancient town. According to history, we were told that Odua had a son Okanbi, and he had seven children. One of them is the Oni-Sabe. One thing people know the Sabe for is the Gelede. There’s Gelede in various areas in the state. Unfortunately, the Gelede was almost gone into extinction before I came,” he noted.

“It’s ten years, and last year we started to revive the Gelede and other culture. I just want to make sure that our culture is not rubbished but elevated, and God has given me the power to do so.

“It’s on record now that when Eyo is mentioned, people talk of Lagos, but it came from somewhere. There’s Eyo in Iperu, but it isn’t as glamorous as the one in Lagos. My prayer is that God should help me elevate our culture and Gelede to such a glamorous level.”

Oba Adeniyi concluded by appreciated the Lagos State Government for enhancing development in his kingdom and everyone else who has given him maximum support.

“Government intervention has been existing in Igbobi for long. Schools and infrastructure development have been in this kingdom. Kudos to the Lagos state government for bringing up this development and making it easy for me. Everybody that has supported me, as I could not have done it alone. I thank them,” he added.

As the ten-day celebration reaches its pinnacle, anticipation for the grand finale on Sunday continues to build.

Oba Adeniyi’s reflections on the past decade, coupled with the vibrant involvement of the youth and the revival of cultural practices, make this milestone celebration truly special.

The upcoming Sunday festivities promise to be a fitting conclusion, showcasing the unity, resilience, and rich cultural heritage of the kingdom.

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