The
new Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi has a dual
citizenship of Nigeria and Canada. In this interview by TUNDE BUSARI, he
goes down memory lane with a verdict that his enthronement is divine.
A
picture of your visit to the new Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi soon
after he arrived Ile-Ife was on social media. How close are you both?
All I should tell you about that is that as you observed we are close; very, very close.
How long have you been friends?
It dates back to when we were younger.
Is it a coincidence that both of you became traditional rulers of your respective towns almost the same time?
The best answer to this question is that what we have become is simply the manifestation of our destiny. It is the project of God, not that of man.
When both of you were growing up, did you at a time talk or joke that one day you would become king?
I cannot remember saying such. For instance, I did not present myself to my friends as a prince. It is my father they know as prince in the town and everywhere.
Can we then say you did not prepare for the throne?
My life is all about struggle. And you don’t struggle without a clear cut plan on how to navigate the rough path of life. So, I always plan for every situation that may come my way. Same goes to the throne because the throne is my right. It is a place God had long prepared for me since I was a baby.
It must have then been prophesied that you would be king. Is it true?
It was prophesied on different occasions. In fact, when I was two and half years old, I told my parents that I was the Oluwo of Iwo. That is why I always say being on the throne today is divine. It further attests to the power of God over all his creatures. If a two-year-old could say such a thing and it came to pass, it shows God is really up there.
Where were you when the news of your appointment broke?
I was in Osogbo.
How can you describe your mood on hearing the news?
It was a natural feeling of excitement. But it was also received with a mixed feeling. It was a mixed feeling because I know the enormous amount of work to do to put Iwo land on the track it is supposed to be. But as I said earlier, I have prepared for it and I am up to the task with God by my side. I know I will not fail because it is the wish of God that I am on this stool.
How tasking was the struggle to get to the throne?
It is nothing I should be talking about again since God’s wish has finally manifested. But one thing I can say is that I gave it all I had because I knew the kind of confidence my people reposed in me. I was regularly shuttling between Nigeria and my base in Canada. Do you know what that means? I was practically unstable but it was a worthwhile thing. It was an assignment which must be done and I thank God that we are all happy today.
So you were based in Canada. What were you doing there?
I have set up my business as an independent man since 2005. I am a contractor in the city of Toronto. I am into water engineering. We specialize in cleaning oil spillage. Also in Germany I am a defence contractor. I have visited about 50 countries in the course of my life sojourn. I speak different languages. The underlying point therein is that I have always struggled right from the beginning of my life till date. And to God be the glory for crowning those struggles with huge success even before I came to the throne. The throne has finally completed the work of God in my life. I will forever give thanks to God for that because many have passed through the same route but ended it unfulfilled.
How have you been coping so far, considering where you are coming from?
I am coping well. There is no problem. I am good here because I am surrounded by my people. You can see the number of them coming and going. What does it tell you? It is acceptance. I am grateful to God for making it so. What would be your impression if this place is deserted? Seeing them around me gladdens my heart and I am finally back home for them. With the love they are showing me, I am very sure together we are going to drive Iwo land to the promised land. That is my mission and I won’t leave this world until I achieve this mission to leave Iwo land better than I met it.
Where did you school?
I was born and bred in Ibadan. I started my education at Omolewa Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan. I returned to Iwo to attend Iwo Grammar School. But I could not complete my studies there due to a certain incident.
Can you let us into the incident that terminated your career?
It is a long story but I will summarise it. I got lost and was indeed kidnapped. It is more than ordinary experience but I give thanks to God for all He has done for me in this life.
How were you kidnapped?
I may not give you the details but I can tell you that my abductors saw the sign that I would be king in me when they wanted to use me for rituals. Then they said I should go. When I finally re-emerged, my mother said I should return to Ibadan to complete my education at Oba Akinyele Grammar School, Ibadan. Later I gained admission into The Polytechnic Ibadan for my Ordinary National Diploma. I studied further in Germany.
I expected to see you in Yoruba attire as a custodian of tradition. How do you explain your appearance like an emir?
It shows how deep Islam is in Iwoland. I am a Muslim and an ‘alfa’. Iwo is known as land of ‘alfas’. Again, it symbolizes the fact that Oba brought Islam to Iwo land. But it does not mean I don’t wear Yoruba attire. Why shouldn’t I when I am an oba of a Yoruba town, a town with root in Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race.
Can you expatiate on this history?
Adekola Telu, who founded Iwoland was the son of the only female Ooni of Ife in history. She is called Luwo Gbagida. She was so powerful and influential and acceptable. She was also had supernatural power. You can imagine how strong she was to have emerged a female Ooni. That is the spirit with which Iwo was founded. Telu told Luwo Gbagida, his mother that he wanted to be king. Since he could not be a king in the same settlement, Luwo Gbagida then gave him a crown of Oduduwa to go and found a community of his own. He first settled at Ogundigbaro but because the place was swampy it was difficult to settle there. He then moved to Igbo-Orita. Igbo-Orita was at the opposite of Iwo entrance on the other side of the road. It is unfortunate that this history suffered neglect. That is why I said my coming is divine. I am the reincarnation of Telu. I am here to bring back the glory of Iwo land.
You sound passionate about developing your town; can we take this as your mission statement?
That is it. I know the town has passed through some challenges. We are going to see to the end of those challenges. We are going to come together to do it. But as the traditional ruler, I have made a vow to lead by example. I am going to open Iwo land to the outside world. God really bless us with human resources and we are going to leverage on this make Iwo land a hub of employment.
Three months ago, I brought some expatriates. I am assuring you that I am bringing direct foreign investment to the town. Nigerian youths are suffering. Imagine a graduate teacher earning N5,000. It is sad. That is what I am going to address. God has really endowed Nigeria with human resources. In terms of land mass, Nigeria is not of the size of Ontario province in Canada. But our human capital is our strength which we must develop. China did this in the 70s and is today a very strong economy. It is my mission to open my town up to investors in a way the town would be more attractive to government.
All I should tell you about that is that as you observed we are close; very, very close.
How long have you been friends?
It dates back to when we were younger.
Is it a coincidence that both of you became traditional rulers of your respective towns almost the same time?
The best answer to this question is that what we have become is simply the manifestation of our destiny. It is the project of God, not that of man.
When both of you were growing up, did you at a time talk or joke that one day you would become king?
I cannot remember saying such. For instance, I did not present myself to my friends as a prince. It is my father they know as prince in the town and everywhere.
Can we then say you did not prepare for the throne?
My life is all about struggle. And you don’t struggle without a clear cut plan on how to navigate the rough path of life. So, I always plan for every situation that may come my way. Same goes to the throne because the throne is my right. It is a place God had long prepared for me since I was a baby.
It must have then been prophesied that you would be king. Is it true?
It was prophesied on different occasions. In fact, when I was two and half years old, I told my parents that I was the Oluwo of Iwo. That is why I always say being on the throne today is divine. It further attests to the power of God over all his creatures. If a two-year-old could say such a thing and it came to pass, it shows God is really up there.
Where were you when the news of your appointment broke?
I was in Osogbo.
How can you describe your mood on hearing the news?
It was a natural feeling of excitement. But it was also received with a mixed feeling. It was a mixed feeling because I know the enormous amount of work to do to put Iwo land on the track it is supposed to be. But as I said earlier, I have prepared for it and I am up to the task with God by my side. I know I will not fail because it is the wish of God that I am on this stool.
How tasking was the struggle to get to the throne?
It is nothing I should be talking about again since God’s wish has finally manifested. But one thing I can say is that I gave it all I had because I knew the kind of confidence my people reposed in me. I was regularly shuttling between Nigeria and my base in Canada. Do you know what that means? I was practically unstable but it was a worthwhile thing. It was an assignment which must be done and I thank God that we are all happy today.
So you were based in Canada. What were you doing there?
I have set up my business as an independent man since 2005. I am a contractor in the city of Toronto. I am into water engineering. We specialize in cleaning oil spillage. Also in Germany I am a defence contractor. I have visited about 50 countries in the course of my life sojourn. I speak different languages. The underlying point therein is that I have always struggled right from the beginning of my life till date. And to God be the glory for crowning those struggles with huge success even before I came to the throne. The throne has finally completed the work of God in my life. I will forever give thanks to God for that because many have passed through the same route but ended it unfulfilled.
How have you been coping so far, considering where you are coming from?
I am coping well. There is no problem. I am good here because I am surrounded by my people. You can see the number of them coming and going. What does it tell you? It is acceptance. I am grateful to God for making it so. What would be your impression if this place is deserted? Seeing them around me gladdens my heart and I am finally back home for them. With the love they are showing me, I am very sure together we are going to drive Iwo land to the promised land. That is my mission and I won’t leave this world until I achieve this mission to leave Iwo land better than I met it.
Where did you school?
I was born and bred in Ibadan. I started my education at Omolewa Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan. I returned to Iwo to attend Iwo Grammar School. But I could not complete my studies there due to a certain incident.
Can you let us into the incident that terminated your career?
It is a long story but I will summarise it. I got lost and was indeed kidnapped. It is more than ordinary experience but I give thanks to God for all He has done for me in this life.
How were you kidnapped?
I may not give you the details but I can tell you that my abductors saw the sign that I would be king in me when they wanted to use me for rituals. Then they said I should go. When I finally re-emerged, my mother said I should return to Ibadan to complete my education at Oba Akinyele Grammar School, Ibadan. Later I gained admission into The Polytechnic Ibadan for my Ordinary National Diploma. I studied further in Germany.
I expected to see you in Yoruba attire as a custodian of tradition. How do you explain your appearance like an emir?
It shows how deep Islam is in Iwoland. I am a Muslim and an ‘alfa’. Iwo is known as land of ‘alfas’. Again, it symbolizes the fact that Oba brought Islam to Iwo land. But it does not mean I don’t wear Yoruba attire. Why shouldn’t I when I am an oba of a Yoruba town, a town with root in Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race.
Can you expatiate on this history?
Adekola Telu, who founded Iwoland was the son of the only female Ooni of Ife in history. She is called Luwo Gbagida. She was so powerful and influential and acceptable. She was also had supernatural power. You can imagine how strong she was to have emerged a female Ooni. That is the spirit with which Iwo was founded. Telu told Luwo Gbagida, his mother that he wanted to be king. Since he could not be a king in the same settlement, Luwo Gbagida then gave him a crown of Oduduwa to go and found a community of his own. He first settled at Ogundigbaro but because the place was swampy it was difficult to settle there. He then moved to Igbo-Orita. Igbo-Orita was at the opposite of Iwo entrance on the other side of the road. It is unfortunate that this history suffered neglect. That is why I said my coming is divine. I am the reincarnation of Telu. I am here to bring back the glory of Iwo land.
You sound passionate about developing your town; can we take this as your mission statement?
That is it. I know the town has passed through some challenges. We are going to see to the end of those challenges. We are going to come together to do it. But as the traditional ruler, I have made a vow to lead by example. I am going to open Iwo land to the outside world. God really bless us with human resources and we are going to leverage on this make Iwo land a hub of employment.
Three months ago, I brought some expatriates. I am assuring you that I am bringing direct foreign investment to the town. Nigerian youths are suffering. Imagine a graduate teacher earning N5,000. It is sad. That is what I am going to address. God has really endowed Nigeria with human resources. In terms of land mass, Nigeria is not of the size of Ontario province in Canada. But our human capital is our strength which we must develop. China did this in the 70s and is today a very strong economy. It is my mission to open my town up to investors in a way the town would be more attractive to government.
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