The Paramount Traditional Ruler and Obajisun of Ayedun Kingdom, Oba Dr Olusegun Abayomi JP, has joined his ancestors.
EMIRATE RADIO 98.5FM gathered that the monarch passed away at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti after a brief illness.
Late Oba Rotimi who celebrated his 85th birthday anniversary on 16th May 2026 was known for his outstanding leadership qualities as a grassroot mobiliser and Architect of modern Ayedun Kingdom.
Recall that late Oba Dr Olusegun Abayomi Rotimi JP, was among the 10 new traditional rulers recently elevated to a first class status by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON.
As part of activities marking his 85th birthday anniversary, ROYAL NEWS MAGAZINE engaged the deceased in an exclusive interview where he ventilated on numerous issues of diverse concerns:
READ DETAILS BELOW:
My secrets, trajectory and breakthroughs— Obajisun of Ayedun
In an interview with BUKOLA OMOSHEWO, the Obajisun of Ayedun, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Olusegun Abayomi Rotimi JP, spoke on sundry issues about his birth. education, career, enthronement to Ayedun stool and elevation to the status of First Class Traditional Ruler in Kwara State. Excerpts :
The journey so far
I am grateful to Almighty God for His blessings and favour over the years. I was born in Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State on 16th May 1941. I was a year old when my father was transferred to Ado Ekiti, in the present Ekiti State. I spent 18 years of my life in Ado Ekiti, where I had my Primary and Secondary School Education before heading to Ibadan for my HSC. I later travelled to the United States of America (USA) under the USAID-Programme in 1961 to pursue my first degree and completed my studies in 1965. Unfortunately before I returned to Nigeria, my father had died in London in 1964. My mother also passed away eight months later. Since then, I have been on my own. I worked at the Northern Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture from 1965-1966, then, I was transferred to the School of Agriculture in Samaru, Zaria in Kaduna State, as a lecturer.
I was later summoned again by the USAID-Programme for my Masters Degree. I left towards the end of 1966 and I returned in 1967. I was in the United States of America when I was recruited into Ahmadu Bello University, by the erstwhile late Vice Chancellor, Dr. Isaiah Audu and my friend Prof. Ango Abdullahi, a two-term Vice Chancellor of the University. We were both at Kansas State University, although I returned to Nigeria six months before him and I lectured in the Faculty of Agriculture of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria until 1972. In the same year, I completed my Doctorate Degree Thesis in Reading University, England. Later on, my late friend, Brig. Gen. David Lasisi Bamigboye (rtd), the first Military Governor of Kwara State approached me that we should establish Commercial Agriculture in Kwara State. I agreed solely based on the fact that it will not be under government control because I was not ready to work under any Civil Service rule. The company was registered as a Limited Liability Company which means we were sourcing money from banks. The investment was not a government agency. Capable hands were employed in order to ensure that the business is properly administered to the admiration and benefit of the people as well as economic growth of the state. Within the first two years, there was massive development in the Agriculture sector and Kwara State became great. The development angered a lot of people because I was young and the company was doing well.
In Kwara North, Patigi Rice Mill was created in 1973 and up till date the rice mill is still in existence. In Ilorin East, a poultry farm was established in Oke-Oyi. The poultry produced about 2,000 eggs daily and 5,000 dressed chicken weekly. Incidentally, Mallam Abdulsalami was the manager and the product in Kwara State was in high demand. We had 3,000 hectares of maize farm in Obo-Ile, with modern machinery and combined harvesters. The company was really doing well. But then, Kwara State still extended up to Abaji which is now under Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Igala land which is under the present Kogi State was also part of Kwara State.
The investment was doing well until the Military took over from the Gen. Yakubu Gowon-led government. Because there was so much envy and gang-up against me, I was sacked and the company was dissolved and turned into a Corporation where money is being taken from the government. Unfortunately, all the equipment was vandalised, but I was grateful to God that the people that knew what I did, appreciated and commended me for the innovation and contributions to the growth of the agric sector and the overall economy of the state.
I wish Kwara State will appreciate the ingenuity of late General David Bamigboye (rtd). He established lucrative companies such as; Supermarkets, Kwara Furniture and Kwara Textile factories, Kwara Government Secretariat, Kwara Hotel, and Government House among others. He is the father of modern Kwara. After the Military Coup, I left to work on my own as an Agricultural Consultant, first in Ibadan and when Nigeria returned democratically elected government, Professor Aliu Abdullahi invited me to come to Abuja, he was appointed Special Adviser on Food Security. He appointed me to be a Consultant to support him in order to deliver on his mandates.
I was doing that until 2008 when my people invited me to come back home, I was selected and appointed to occupy the vacant stool of Obajisun of Ayedun Kingdom as a Third Class Traditional Ruler, I was formally installed on the 23rd of September, 2008 by the Dr. Bukola Saraki-led government. The journey, I won’t say rough but has been tough, but with patience and with God on my side, I have been able to weather through so many storms. I thank God today that I am still alive to see what I am seeing. Since I came on the throne, Ayedun Kingdom has developed fantastically and tremendously. I have turned Ayedun into a modern city. In the last 10 years, Ayedun is not the same as before, we now have Factories, Ultra Modern Hotels and buildings by indigenes and residents of Ayedun.
When I first got on the throne, I went round to visit my people to encourage them to come and develop the town. I am happy that they all responded. There is no house you will find in Lekki or Maitama that you will not find here. Ayedun is now a beautiful town.
Reaction to the recent elevation to first class status
It is the greatest thing that has ever happened to Ayedun and her people. At first, we really got the upgrade to second class and now we are in first class. The people of Ayedun are so happy and grateful to God Almighty and the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq CON for all the honour. We pray for his continuous growth and he will remain unforgettable for his good deeds to Ayedun. We are also grateful to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR and other relevant stakeholders for making the process possible.
Expectations and plans for Ayedun Kingdom in the next 10 years
Well, our expectation and what we long for in Ayedun is the establishment of Higher Institutions. My children are well educated and well to do. I want my children to be settled at home. However, if there are no job opportunities, they can not settle here. I also want people to know that some of my children are really spending money from their pocket for the development of the community. They are embarking on developmental projects such as construction of Event Halls, Schools and Computer Based Test (CBT) Centres, and many more. All of these are encouraging and if we have Higher Institutions here in Ayedun, it will boost our morale and definitely attract more people to settle here.
Fears and challenges as a Traditional Ruler
Well, if I am to say there hasn’t been challenges, then, I am not being truthful. But with God, all the worries and fears have been put behind me. God created me as somebody with a high level of tolerance and patience.
When people are worried about one thing or the other, I always urge them to be peaceful for the sake of the growth and development of the community. I am happy that most of my children have been cooperative with me over the years. When need arises, I call them together to brainstorm, I don’t relegate them as my subordinates. I seek their advice to make decisions which have helped to sustain the peace and harmony of the community.
Secrets of good living and looking radiance at 85
In life, I urge people to always stay calm and not be short tempered. Do not let people’s negative comments get to you. I neither keep malice, nor quarrel. I forgive people easily, which gives me peace of mind. I take life as simply as I can for my peace.
How to promote growth in the society despite our differences
Thank you very much. The ongoing situation in our country has been in existence for a long time. However, we just did not see it. We all have been dominated by ethnicity from the past. We all have to be in unity, for peace to reign. Religious diversity is also one of the problems we are facing. We are all serving only one God. If we can let go of religion and face God, there won’t be any problem(s). Fanatics and extremists in Islam and Christianity are also part of the reasons why we don’t have a lasting solution to our numerous challenges. Christians and Muslims that are not fanatics are good people, just the religious fanatics are the issues in our society. I pray that God will change their hearts. Despite the fact that we are all serving one God, these unscrupulous elements are taking religion as war locally, nationally and internationally. With God, everything will be good soon. Let us all see ourselves as human beings not as people with different backgrounds, religion or ethnicity. I pray the Lord will help us put an end to the ongoing unrest in Nigeria.
Between modern and olden styles of traditional dressing
Oh! Thank you for that beautiful question, when you look at the crown on my head, it is quite different from the ancestral crown that was used to found this kingdom from time immemorial. That one cannot be used everyday due to some special peculiarities attached to it. It is only used occasionally to meet up with some cultural/traditional demands.
But as we have it today, there are many fashionable crowns that go along with different fabrics and on a daily basis as events require.
Civilization and cultural heritage
This is a great question. People perceive culture differently. The way I see culture is different from other people’s point of view. I believe God did not make mistakes in the creation process. He gave different cultures to different parts of the world. However, civilization sets in and we have imbibed the western tradition, belittling our own. I am not undermining any tradition. However, we should also respect our culture and proclaim our tradition. In Brazil today, there are churches, mosques and shrines but here, we see some traditions as barbaric or as a sin. From my perspective, we should not let culture be forgotten.
INTERVIEWER: Sir, can you eulogise yourself, your Oriki.
OBA ROTIMI: Well, my
LAWYER: Oba aberi yi ade, aborun yi ileke oye.
Kabiesi, gun lori esin, ewopaileke, ti le
Aye ke e yeni jubelo.
Omo wa jero, omo oke jero
Omo su keregbe ilele bahun
Omo ipergun oma wa
Omo la gunnu yen yen
Omo eri ade tu nu sukun ade tantan tan.
Advice to the people of Ayedun and Kwarans at large
To my community, they should keep up the good work to develop this community and continue with being each other’s brother’s keeper. I am pleased with my community, they settle quarrels and cooperate among themselves. During festivals, they come together for the celebration. We neglect our differences. One of the reasons Ayedun Kingdom has been developing is because we see ourselves as one. Kwara State has always been blessed. My prayer is that the evil people will not overcome Kwara State. They will not turn it into a Ghost state and we shall overcome our challenges. Everyone should see the happenings as their own cause for concern. I tell people that security is everybody’s business. If you see something, say something, be your brother’s keeper. If we do these continuously, we can curb the issue of banditry. The government as well should not treat them with a ‘King’s Glove’ when they are caught. My prayer is that Kwara State will continue to wax stronger. God will bless the people in charge of the affairs of the state, He will direct them to the right path. God bless Kwara State, Ayedun Kingdom and her indigenes.
