Obasanjo Honours Baba Ijebu

The philanthropy and humanitarian activities of prominent businessman and philanthropist Sir Kessington Adebutu,  have been recognised and commended by  Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday.

He spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during the investiture of Adebutu, popularly known as ‘Baba Ijebu,’ as the first honorary member of Abeokuta Club.

At the event, which also featured the 45th President Party of the club, Obasanjo said the marital breakdown between his child and Adebutu’s daughter will not affect his relationship with the Odole Oodua.

Eminent personalities, including the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, Agura of Gbagura, Oba Babajide Bakare, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafa Isola, Chief Olatunde Abudu, Chief Solomon Onafowokan, Dr Doyin Okupe, Chief Oyewole Fasawe, and Chief (Mrs) Adebisi Edionsere (Cash Madam), among others, attended the investiture.

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Obasanjo, who is one of the vice patrons of the club, saluted the honouree for rendering “marvellous services” to Abeokuta and Egbaland.

According to him, the conferment of honorary membership on him by Abeokuta Club was worthwhile and deserving.

The former president pointed out that his relationship with Adebutu would remain cordial irrespective of the marriage crisis between their estranged children.

Obasanjo said: “The honouree has rendered marvellous services to Egbaland. The Park Inn, which is the old Gateway Hotel would have still remained in derelict if not for the services, commitment of the honouree.

“One of the things you never said about him and I wonder why the citation left that out; you know not too long ago, my son and your daughter, on their own, decided to get married but what happened to their marriage is between them, not between us.

“Odole is our in-law and not just ordinary in-law but in-law from a distinguished family. Mama Ibeji on his right is from Ake, (she is) daughter of Toye Coker.

It will be recalled that one of Obasanjo’s sons, Olujonwo, and Adebutu’s daughter, Temitope, got married on May 13, 2017 amidst fanfare but the marital relationship hit the rocks barely a year after.

Earlier in his address, the President of Abeokuta Club, Engr. Tokunbo Odebunmi, said Adebutu was honoured for his immense contribution to the economic development of Egbaland and mankind.