Kabiyesi, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Olubadan of Ibadanland, I join every son and daughter of Ibadan in celebrating your remarkable 90th birthday today. This milestone fills our hearts with pride, knowing we belong to a royal dynasty that is unique and orderly, a tradition built through centuries of wisdom and resilience. From the days of Lagelu, our founder, to your exalted reign as the 43rd Olubadan, this lineage has been of stability, and your ascension in 2024 only deepens our joy. Today, we honour both your age and the living history you represent.

 

It is no doubt that Kabiyesi’s reign has been a blessing to us all, marked by his tireless peace interventions that have kept Ibadanland and its neighbours thriving. Whether mediating disputes or encouraging harmony among our diverse communities, you’ve ensured our land remains a place of aspiration for growth and development. It is on record how your wise counsel has calmed tensions, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for unity. This peace you’ve nurtured is the soil where our markets flourish, our children learn, and our future has direction. Your leadership, rooted in the rich cultural fabric of Ibadan, inspires us to build a land that others look to with envy and respect.

 

That you’ve lived to see 90 years is an answered prayer for all of us, a clear sign that your forebears have embraced you to rule over this sacred throne. This longevity speaks of their approval, a divine nod to your reign as a custodian of our heritage. We see it in the way you carry the beaded crown with grace, in the way your voice commands respect yet offers comfort. It’s a revelation of your destiny, fulfilled through decades of service, and it fills every Ibadan heart with gratitude and hope for what lies ahead under your guidance.

 

On this special day, I pray for your continued long life, Kabiyesi, and for the prosperity of Ibadanland to grow even stronger. May the Almighty, in whose hands we trust, grant you health, strength, and wisdom to lead us further. May your days be filled with the joy of seeing Ibadan rise and our traditions honoured. This prayer is not just mine but that of every Ibadan son and daughter, who see in you a father and a shield against the storms of time.

 

As we celebrate your 90th birthday, let us hold tight to the pride of our unique dynasty and the peace you’ve sown. Kabiyesi, your life is a gift to us, and I join my people in wishing you a joyous celebration, surrounded by love and the echoes of our history. May Ibadanland prosper under your watchful eyes, and may your reign be a story told for generations. Happy 90th birthday, Baba wa Olubadan—may you live long to see our dreams come true!

 

Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem (AKK)

Oyo APC Guber Aspirant

APC, PROGRESS!

Oyo 2027

AKK 2027

Governor 2027

AKK! Aseyori ni tiwa.

AKK!! Ajose Ajoje

AKK!!! A Task that must be done.

Saturday, July 5, 2025