On October 8th 2021, former minister of education and leading gubernatorial hopeful in Delta State, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, stormed Akure, the Ondo State capital for a traditional ceremony slated for October 9th 2021.
The ceremony was for him to be conferred with the title of Aare Atunluse of Akure people by Oba (Dr) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, the Deji of Akure kingdom.
Gbagi was accompanied to that trip with about 40 supporters including men, women and youths in two branded 18 seaters buses and a Coastal Bus alongside several other vehicles to Akure.
The entourage of the former minister was first received on Friday October 8th 2021, by the former South West Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Chairman and one-time Commissioner for Information, Ondo State, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, in a lavished reception at his compound.
The presence of the PDP governorship aspirant who drove in his Royce-Rolls, attracted Ondo PDP supporters to his hotel to show solidarity for one of their own.
Gbagi, with other Chiefs from Urhoboland, were received at the ancient Palace of the Deji of Akure on Saturday October 9th 2021, as part the cultural and historic Ulefunta festival, which is the traditional annual leave period of the monarch which is celebrated from ancient time.
Gbagi and his entourage, who were received at the Palace by Akure Chiefs and the Deji’s aid were led into the Palace where he exchanged pleasantries with dignitaries who were already seated.
As he and his lovely wife, Hon. Justice Sybil Gbagi, JCA, Appeal Court Judge, his children, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, Chief (Mrs.) Tessy Tori, South South PDP Woman Leader, Chief Sir E.D.O. Obofukoro, Member of Elders Council, Delta State, Lady Princess Christy Obofukoro, High Chief Peter Ifie, Unuvworo of Ekpan, sat down while awaiting the arrival of the Deji, indigenes of Akure both old and young, trooped into the Palace to catch the climpse of the man with international figure.
Others are; Chief Emuoboh Gbagi, Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Youth Development, Elder (Chief) Solomon Ala, Senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor, Political, Mr. & Mrs. Zik Gbemre, International Human Right Activist, Elder Moor Ologitere, Barr. Fred Aburu among others.
Gbagi, was later led to the Inner Chambers of the Deji of Akure kingdom, where he had a very fruitful discussion with the reverred traditional ruler before returning to the Palace for the installation as the Aare Atunluse of Akure kingdom.
Akure was grounded to honour the governorship aspirant. School children in both private and public schools were seen showing solidarity. Traders in major markets left their wares to see the newly installed Aare Atunluse of Akure land. It was like a public holiday for civil servants and students.
Movement was paralysed as the great industrialist and his convoy drove round Akure negotiating their way to the Palace and the reception venue. There was absolute calm and peace.
The event was the best one for
Oba (Dr) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, the Deji of Akure kingdom who dictated the tone of direction at the installation ceremony and everybody abided by it. The Hausas, Igbos and Urhobos were all present. Truly, Akure, is a home for all.
After the conferment, the entrance of the Palace witnessed an overflow of indigenes and market people to see the new Aare Atunluse of Akure kingdom, as Gbagi, walked down to his Royce-Rolls lited with brightness and smiling all through.
In a space of time, the entourage of the new Aare Atunluse of Akure kingdom, landed in Uwa-Oye, the place for performance of Chieftaincy titles used as reception ground, where the Urhobo Community in Akure were already waiting for their brothers and sisters and the ovation is well imagined.
Gbagi, was welcomed with Urhobo songs from his Royce-Rolls to the podium prepared for Very Important Personalities, including the Deji himself and his Council of Chiefs.
In an interview he granted newsmen, the elated Gbagi, said: “I am the Aare Atunluse of ancient empire of Akure founded 1180BC. The reason why I reciprocated the honour, I have never met the Deji of Akure in my life till Friday night, 11:00 O’clock. I have never spoken to him. When I saw that letter, it reminded me of what a proper nation ought to be and ought to do.
“A nation by itself, is supposed to look for good and great people with integrity and character. Irrespective whether it is your father, mother, broth or your sister. Integrity and character does not give room for mediocrity.
“So, when I saw the letter of Deji of Akure, I was jolted. The reason why you saw the fanfare and the happiness with which I took the title”, Gbagi sounded.
Rather, he promised to always seek a way of advancing the wellbeing of Akure people by keying into the policies and programmes of the Palace, maintaining that as Nigerians, we should live as one indivisible group irrespective of our ethnic and religious diversity.
He disclosed that by the title conferred on him, that makes him as one and indigene of Akure kingdom, “that now puts me into a serious state of recalculation because I just started a new kingdom and a new peace. I will do my best”, he assured.
While describing the Oba, as a nice and a gentleman, Gbagi, said: “He should be at the forefront of how we bring Nigeria together as one. You can see from this kingdom today, Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas. I am an Urhobo man. It is like a fence. That man is a peaceful man, may his reign last forever”, the entrepreneur prayed.
At this point, one could confidently say that Gbagi, did not only visit nor stormed the ancient city of Akure, for a mere chieftaincy title. Akure was truly shutdown for Gbagi, as it turned into a political carnival for him as Gbagi has never had a dull moment in his life.
On his way back after the entire ceremony, it was another glamour as two power bikes took the lead and led Gbagi and his entourage to the outskirt of Akure kingdom to bid them goodbye.
For the records, Gbagi is the Ochuko (Helper), of Okpe people and Kingdom. A title given to him by the late Orodje of Okpe, a father figure, a former policeman, appreciating what he is and what he stood for.
Another very impressing one, is the Ovie if Ughelli, who named him the Oja Re Urhobo Rherhi of Urhobo people, “I felt very proud. A great man of integrity and character. He still lives, may his reign last for as long as God allows him”.
Again, the Ovie of Olomu, who is the oldest man in Delta State today as a traditional ruler beecause of his antecedents, named him the Ataneru (When you speak, you do it). Then of course, the Okobaro of Uwhiewen kingdom. That one in itself was a lit easier because of the way we met, “I was the first Chief of his in Uwhiewen man he made a chief on giving him a staff of office he gave a title as Ame of Uwhiewen kingdom.
Also, Gbagi, is the Baagbemo of Lagos, given to him by Akiolu, the current king being his former student. He is equally the Ugoaeze Amaka of Ubulu-Uku kingdom, where his wife is from.
According to him, “It is no longer history that I am from Oginibo paternally and maternally, I am from Jesse. The king of Jesse will give me a title on the 23rd of this month in Jesse. I think after this one from Jesse, I will cap it but there is a major problem, I think the Emir of Lafia, will not agree. So that one is a done deal but after that one as much as possible, is ended.
“Is not that I am going to acquire chiefs. No! I just wanted to tell you that they were all given to me out of honour and some of them are people I cannot say no to”, he said.
