In the next few days, HRH Oba Adeleke Adelekan the Alaperu of Iperu Akesan, Idowu-Basibo (Odonir) the Alaperu of Iperu Akesan, in Ogun State will be celebrating his 20th Anniversary on the throne of his forbears. And he is quite excited about it. He is quite happy because his reign has brought about great development & progress to the town.
Only recently, a new
and befitting palace was commissioned beside the old palace. It was
commissioned on 17th February 2022 by Sir Dr Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu,
the Balogun & Baba Oba of Iperu Remo and the Odole Oodua of the Source. The
new Alaperu palace was donated by the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation
(KAAF). The old palace was declared open on Sunday 30th March 2002 by
Alaiyeluwa, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II, the late Ooni of Ife.
A few days back,
City People met with the Alaperu to ask him how he feels about his 20th
Coronation Anniversary. We wanted to know what was on his mind. He smiled when
we asked. His face brightened. “Well, I just give glory to God,” he said. “We
have come a long way. And we thank God that we can have one or 2 achievements that
we can point to, and say in these 20 years, these are the things we have been
able to achieve, these are the things we can point to.
When I look back, I
feel happy. In the last 20 years, we have had 2 House of Reps. We have also
produced the current Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. He is from Iperu. So, we
have a lot to thank God for”.
In terms of infrastructural developments, he is also
happy that Iperu Akesan has witnessed Growth. “A lot has changed. When we came
in, there was only one Micro-Finance Bank. It was a local Micro Finance Bank
for the community. What we did was to bring back our own legacy, because
Agbonmagbe Bank started from Iperu Remo. We thank God we were able to bring the
bank back. Today, Wema Bank is the only
bank that we have serving Iperu and the upper Remo. And that goes a long way.
Talking about the
Methodist Church we have Remo Central of the Cathedral that is sitting in
Iperu, here. And we have the Institute too. We have Babcock University Campus
have also. When Babcock first came to Iperu many years ago they drove them
away. They said No ooo, we don’t want them ooo. At that time, our people
were more of Isese people. So, we now went back to them. We thank God today
they now have a Campus in Iperu that
produces lawyers, quality lawyers. One of our sons who graduated from there now
works with the Vice-President. He was my Chief Security Officer during my 10th
year Anniversary and he did the job perfectly. And today you can see the high-quality products being produced from the Babcock University Campus here. There
are many, many things like that and we look back and say God we thank you.
Have you seen the
ongoing road reconstruction? Have you seen our road now? Very many years ago,
it was the only road between the North and the South. Now we are having the
expansion of the road. When we came in
20 years ago, they were selling land in Iperu for N8,000 but now they are
selling land for N20 million, N100 million. The land has appreciated. You now hear
them calling big sums of money. It can only be God. Now, we have this
automobile industry. We now assembly vehicles in Iperu. Now, we are about to
have Cargo Airport. By God’s grace, the Governor says it will be operational in
November. So, by the time it takes off, you can export your products from
Iperu”
Kabiyeesi is also
quite happy with the new Palace donated by the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu
Foundation (KAAF) “It’s the Grace of God, we thank God for the contributions of
the Odole Oodua. He is our father. He is the Baba Oba. Baba wants the best for
his son. That is why he gave us this befitting Palace as a birthday present”.
How does Kabiyeesi
plan to celebrate his 20th Coronation? “Initially, the way I planned it, I
wanted something quiet. But people are now saying let's celebrate it big. We now
want to give out some Chieftaincies and honour.
We are starting
with the Remo CAN. We would have Prayers on the 23rd we would do the Muslim
aspect of it. A lot of our friends are coming around to celebrate with us.
We would have the grand finale on the 30th, by God's Grace with the social
aspect with King Sunny Ade on Bandstand, with a King singing for a King”.
At the time
Kabiyeesi Alaperu came in asking what was the feeling like? “It was like the
movie coming to America. But today we have been able to learn on the job because there is no school for Obaship. You have to learn on the job. You have
to do a lot of things. And with God on your side, you will make it. I was able
to learn. I was able to cope. What helped me is my training I am used to
meeting people, I am used to attending to people. That was very, very helpful.
That prepared for the throne.
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