He holds a respectable position in the society; he is traditionally the eyes and ears of his forebears over his people and he is courted by many by virtue of the privilege conferred on him by Providence.
But it appears Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, Oluwo of Iwoland, is about to fritter away this rare honour allegedly on the altar of his unbridled arrogance and undisciplined lifestyle.
Indeed, in recent times, many have begun to psycho-analyze him and even try to unearth his past, in an effort to know if he is truly deserving of the position he is currently occupying.
Those who are calling for investigation into his struggling years, which seems to have now exposed the big blot on his escutcheon, maintain that he has desecrated the stool to the embarrassment of his subjects.
Curiously, five years into his ascendancy to the throne, the Oluwo of Iwo has not done anything, consciously or otherwise, to disabuse the minds of his critics who have tagged him as controversial.
His actions and farcical displays in public are said to be giving many grave concern, as it is giving the town a bad image.
If the news reaching www.crystal.com.ng was anything to by, it seems that the royal father’s cup may be over-flowing already, as some of his subjects are set to bear their fangs on him and also take him to the cleaners.
To underscore their resolve, 12 out of the 13 Iwoland Kingmakers have petitioned the Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, over the monarch’s alleged excesses.
The 17-page document titled “A Petition For Removal of Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi ( Oluwo of Iwoland) From the Throne of Iwoland “ was signed by the following: Balogun of Iwoland, Chief Raufu Murana Olorunlampe; Oyin of Iwoland, Chief Fatai Alani Olaoye; Osa of Iwoland, Chief Yekeen Bello Orobimpe; Olosi of Iwoland, Chief Sunday Oyetunde Oyeniyi; Jagun of Iwoland, Chief Ganiyu Kazeem Ayinde and Oloya of Iwoland, Chief Moses Akanmu Ajao.
Others are: Olukotun of Iwoland, Chief Basiru Ajani Akinsola; Odofin of Iwoland, Chief Lamidi Morufu Oyeleke; Onju of Iwoland, Chief Suraju Bello; Agoro of Iwoland, Chief Lateef Ishola; Asape of Iwoland, Chief Moshood Amoo; Olukosi of Iwoland, Chief Rasaki Akanmu Tijani and the Aro of Iwolaland, Amao Olaosebikan Taiwo.
The petition reads in part: “It is regrettable to inform your Excellency that the present Oluwo of Iwoland is not supposed to continue to occupy the throne as Oluwo of Iwo.”
In the petition, the 12 kingmakers gave a blow-by- blow account of Oba AbdulRasheed’s alleged proclivity for fraud and flagrant abuse of office, among others.
The flamboyant king was said to have been arrested and arraigned allegedly for offences bordering on credit card fraud in 1998, to which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment by the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts.
The trial court also barred him for life from entering the United States.
He was subsequently deported to Nigeria after serving out his jail term in 1999.
The petitioners also alleged that, though Oba AbdulRasheed had travelled to Canada in early 2000 and was able to get his Canadian citizenship, he committed another crime no sooner than he relocated there, which eventually fetched him another jail term after due prosecution between 2006 and 2007.
Again, convicted Oba AbdulRasheed was said to have poked the law in the face when he attempted to enter the U.S. on March 11, 2011through Peace Bridge Port Entry, Buffallo, New York, despite being barred from entering the country following his 1998 conviction.
But eagle-eyed Customs and Border Protection Officer, CBPO, found him out, after a background check was conducted on him, which revealed that he was the driver of a vehicle bearing Nova Scotia license plate.
Investigation also revealed that he allegedly presented a Canadian passport and proof of identity, which bore his photo and name as Prince Adewale Akanbi.
According to the petitioners, when the CBPO, simply identified as Fudella, conducted a CBP database queries on the Oluwo, it was discovered that Prince Akanbi had criminal convictions in Canada.
It was also alleged that when the CBPO conducted a biometrics fingerprints scan, it revealed a positive match under FBI number and alien file number, and the name associated with those records was Segun Adewale Adeonigbagbe.
Determined to further demystify him , a source, who made available to Society Watch some of the court papers indicting him of all the crimes , revealed Oba Akande’s Achilles’ heel to include his penchant for fighting notable personalities within the and outside Iwoland.
The source disclosed that the monarch, without provocation, had poured invectives on and even lampooned some eminent personalities in the country, including Chief Abiola Ogundokun; Imran Adio, a leading Islamic cleric whom he removed as Otun Ajanasi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Ooni of Ife, Oonirisa Enitan Ogunwusi and Orangun of Ila, among others.
The petitioners, therefore, urged Oyetola to speedily remove him before he commits greater sins against humanity, adding that “We sincerely believe that history would be kind to your excellency and us ( undersigned)that we spoke when it was time to speak. We pray your Excellency will rise up to the occasion and do the needful. “
The Group Chief Executive, Oando Group, Mr. Adewale Tinubu, CON, has felicitated the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, on his 80th birthday.
The oil mogul, in a message made available today, Thursday September 14, 2023 congratulated the revered and respected monarch, who is also the Chairman of Oando Group, on the milestone.
Tinubu wrote: “I felicitate the Chairman of Oando, His Royal Majesty, the Alake of Egbaland, on his landmark 80th birthday.
Kabiyesi, your leadership and wisdom have been a beacon of inspiration to us all, and we, who have been privileged to know and work with you, have been positively impacted by you.
“80 years is truly a blessing from God, and I wish you good health, and many more years of impactful leadership.
“May your reign be blessed with continued success and your legacy forever etched in history. Kabiyesi o.”
‘’Of all the gifts that life has to offer, a loving mother is the greatest of them all’’ so says a popular quote.
To say that Oando boss, Wale Tinubu and his siblings were blessed with a loving mother is like stating the obvious, their mother, Chief (Mrs.) Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, the Iyalode of Lagos is a one a million whose love and care has guide them to who they are today.
Her love is sweeter than flower of love.
To appreciate the loving, selfless and hardworking mother, her children Wale, Shola, Iyabo, Kunle, Jide and Olu yesterday gathered the world when the celebrated the woman as she clocked 80 in a blaze of glory.
For the children, the attainment of the ripe age of 80 is worth celebrating, particularly in a country, where death is so cheap.
It was a great moment for the Edo State-born businesswoman as her families, friends and business associates gathered to share her gladsome moment with her.
The birthday party is no doubt would be described as a blowout, lively, sparkling, fun, exciting, and enjoyable, it is simply the best so far in the year 2023.
Trust the Tinubus, they are detribalised Nigerians whose circle of friends cuts across the various Nigerian tribes that they has built over the years.
They showcased their hospitality side as they hosted Who- is-who in high society, including captains of industry, monarchs, politicians, socialites and celebrities, yesterday Sunday, July 2nd 2023 at the Grand Ballroom, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
It was indeed a night for the high-networth, high profile and highflying eminent personalities.
It was obvious that they have a commanding sense of hospitality. It was upscale and finest in all ramifications.
From the catering to the ushering, no stone was left unturned. Ushers were brought in to perform different tasks; from assigning seats to guests to taking their meal requests and even ensuring that the place was immaculate and clean.
The hall was colourfully decorated with balloons and other aesthetic materials to give it a regal look. The foods were incredibly rich, flavoursome and magically moreish.
Premium and top-quality drinks only meant for the elites flowed like an endless river. Indeed, the gaily guests had no reason to complain as everything was well taken care of.
There was no dull moment as Vintage Band was there to serenade the gaily dressed guests.
The party go to its peak with the King of Juju music, King Sunny Ade that proved that he is still on top of his game as he livened up the atmosphere with his world class beat while guests danced until their legs could no longer carry them.
Some of the guests at the birthday bash include, the governor of Lagos; Babajide Sanwoolu with his wife, Ibijoke Sanwoolu, Ogun State governor; Dapo Abiodun, Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Senator Gbenga Daniel with his wife, Yeye Funke Daniel Senator Ibikunle Amosun with his wife, Funsho Amosun, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Hajia Bola Shagaya, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki with his wife, Toyin Saraki, Babagana Kingigbe, Folly Coker, Wale Edun, Mo Abudu, Founder and Coordinator of Tinubu Support Group; Hon. Aminu Suleiman, Segun Awolowo, Hajia Abbah Folawiyo, Yomi Awobokun, Among several other eminent personalities.
From midnight, even as Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, chose to put his mobile phone on silent mode, its screen flashed continuously and aroused him from his beautiful sleep, as it was bombarded with calls and text messages from family members, friends , business associates et al.
Interestingly, the undisguised expressions of love by his loved ones from that dead of night and through the rest of the day have become like an annual ritual of sorts that they perform whenever the oil guru marks his birthday.
On his part, the University of Liverpool- trained lawyer has so much to thank God for, as he turned 56 today, Monday, June 26.
A reliable source told us that Tinubu, who began his career with his family law firm, K.O. Tinubu and Co., in 1990 and later co-founded Ocean and Oil Group in 1994, is celebrating the birthday surrounded by his family at his residence in London.
Also, the occasion affords Tinubu, fondly called The King of African Oil, to thanked God for the rare grace to have lived an eventful life thus far and for another great opportunity to reflective on his earthly sojourn so far, and pray for greater blessings in the coming years.
It was also gathered that he would use the occasion to put smiles on the faces of the needy around him in his characteristic magnanimity and sense of fellow-feeling.
This may not be surprising to those who know him too well, as he had used the occasions of his birthday in the past to act as the Angel of hope to the disadvantaged members of the society.
Just like his name, Jubril, he has been an angel to many whose paths have crossed with his on many occasions. He has lent support and been a shoulder to lean on for numerous less-privileged and the poor. He is indeed a bellwether in the acts of generosity to others. He sees sharing love with them as a sacred devotion.
The man who today is Africa’s pride in oil and gas is usually driven by an abiding quest to change the lives of his people for the better.