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OBA YUSUF ADEBORI ADELEYE: A REIGN OF UNITY, PROGRESS AND RENEWAL IN OKA KINGDOM
BY
SIR (DR) FELIX ALE
As the year 2025 draws to a close, it is imperative and only fitting to celebrate the unique personality and inspiring leadership of the paramount ruler of OkaAkoko Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON, the Olubaka of Oka Kingdom.
Since ascending the throne, the Oka-Akoko monarch has pursued with unwavering determination the noble quest for unity and progress across the diverse communities of Oka kingdom.
His reign has become a beacon of peace, development, and cultural renaissance.
The year 2025 was particularly eventful in the annals of Oka kingdom.
The Oka Day Celebration was historic, successful, and outstanding, drawing sons and daughters from far and near to honour their heritage under the guiding presence of the highly revered Olubaka.
One of the most memorable highlights of the 2025 Oka Day Celebration was the presentation of posthumous Okarufe Golden Merit Award to the late Chief Isreal Olukoju.
This honour was bestowed in recognition and appreciation of his immense contributions to the growth and development of the ancient community.
The award served not only as a tribute to Chief Olukoju’s enduring legacy but also as a reminder of the impact that visionary individuals can have on their communities.
His life of service and commitment to Oka’s progress continues to inspire present and future generations.
By immortalizing his name through this prestigious award, the people of OkaAkoko reaffirmed the timeless truth that “a good name is better than riches” (Proverbs 22:1), ensuring that Chief Olukoju’s legacy remains a guiding light in the annals of the town’s history.
Also worthy of note in the chronicles of 2025 was the historic presentation of two ultramodern facilities to the African Church Grammar School, OkaAkoko: the Chief Solomon
Agbejimi Ayoko Science Laboratory and Mrs. Bolanle Funmilayo Ayoko Olabinjo Computer Laboratory. These edifices, equipped to meet contemporary educational standards, represent a landmark investment in the future of science and ICT education in the community.
The event was presided over by His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON, who not only officially commissioned the facilities but also underscored their importance as catalysts for academic excellence and technological advancement.
In his remarks, Olubaka expressed deep appreciation to the family of late Chief Ayoko for their noble gesture, describing it as a shining example of how individuals can contribute meaningfully to the growth of their alma mater and community.
He called on old students of the African Church Grammar School to emulate this laudable initiative, stressing that collective responsibility and generosity are vital for sustaining development.
The commissioning of these laboratories was more than an institutional milestone; it was a cultural and communal statement that education remains the bedrock of progress in any community.
Equally memorable was the Igoke Agba ceremony, held in various quarters and personally attended and presided over by Olubaka himself. The grand finale at the Palace Arcade for participants from Ibaka Quarters was unique, as Oba Adeleye joined hands in celebration with the illustrious members of the famous Egbe Mabolaje, including His Excellency Ambassador Roland Ola Omowa, business tycoon Dr. Olusegun Ologbese, and Chief Ambrose Agbooro among others.
The occasion, graced by the Governor of Ondo State, Honourable Lucky Ayedatiwa, was a carnival of culture and unity that will remain a reference point in the history of OkaAkoko.
The Regal Laurels of Honour and Excellence conferred on His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON,by the Okarufe Leadership Association at occasion, carries profound significance.
By my research and findings as a communication scholar and one of Africa’s leading science writers, this award—unique in its name and title—represents the first of its kind ever bestowed on a traditional ruler in Nigeria.
It is not just a ceremonial decoration; it is a symbolic recognition of a monarch whose reign has been marked by pragmatism, dynamism, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of his people.
The conferment of such a rare honour underscores the Olubaka’s exceptional leadership style, which blends cultural rootedness with modern vision. His ability to champion peace, foster development, and inspire collective responsibility makes him a ruler worthy of distinction.
As the African proverb wisely puts it, “A leader is not the one who is served, but the one who serves.” Kabiyesi has consistently demonstrated that true royalty lies in service to humanity, and the Regal Laurels affirm this truth.
Indeed, the title is befitting for a monarch who has gone to extraordinary lengths to agitate for the welfare of his subjects and the advancement of his community.
Calm in disposition, intelligent in analysis, and humble in royalty, the Olubaka embodies the wisdom of Aristotle: “Excellence is never an accident; it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” The Regal Laurels of Honour and Excellence therefore stand as a timeless testament to his reign, ensuring that his legacy will be remembered not only in OkaAkoko but across Nigeria’s traditional institutions.
The presence of the Ondo State Governor, Honourable Lucky Aiyedatiwa, added further grandeur to the historic occasion. The Governor personally presented the Regal Laurels of Honour and Excellence to Olubaka on behalf of Okarufe Leadership Association.
In his special eulogies, Governor Aiyedatiwa extolled Kabiyesi as a highly revered royal father, a custodian of Yoruba tradition, and a force for peace and development.
The Governor’s tribute was not only a mark of respect but also a recognition of Olubaka’s enduring influence in Ondo State and beyond. By acknowledging Kabiyesi’s role as a stabilizing figure and promoter of cultural heritage, Governor Aiyedatiwa underscored the monarch’s unique ability to blend tradition with modern aspirations.
His words affirmed that Olubaka’s reign has become a rallying point for unity, progress, and communal pride in OkaAkoko.
This moment of gubernatorial commendation further elevated the significance of the award, situating it not just as a community honour but as a statewide endorsement of Kabiyesi’s virtues.
Under Oba Adeleye’s wise and principled leadership, Oka Kingdom continues to flourish as a centre of peace, cultural excellence, and development.
The special message from the President and Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on this unique occasion of Kabiyesi’s Igoke Agba ceremony, carries immense symbolic weight.
It speaks volumes of the esteemed personality and rare virtues of Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON—fondly revered as the great Inonokuku.
A presidential tribute at such a cultural event is not merely ceremonial; it is a national recognition of a monarch whose reign has been defined by wisdom, courage, and principled leadership.
In his message, President Tinubu highlighted Kabiyesi’s pioneering roles as a founding member of the National Council of traditional rulers in Nigeria, former Chairman Council Obas in Ondo State and the first Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University.
These milestones underscore Olubaka’s stature as a bridge between tradition and modernity, and as a custodian of culture who also champions education and institutional growth. By describing him as a leader loved by many for his dignified comportment and high level of integrity, the President affirmed the monarch’s enduring influence and moral authority.
The import of this message lies in its validation of Kabiyesi’s legacy as a pragmatic and dynamic ruler whose leadership transcends OkaAkoko to resonate across Ondo State and Nigeria at large.
It reinforces the truth of the Yoruba adage, “Bi oba ba dara, ilu a dara”—when the king is good, the town prospers. The Olubaka’s reign has indeed brought peace, unity, and progress, and the presidential commendation immortalizes his contributions in the annals of national history.
Another shining moment was the 2025 edition of the Queen’s Christmas Funfair, powered by the darling wife of the Olubaka, Olori Adejumoke Adeleye. With over 400 children gathered to sing, rejoice, and receive gifts, the event was more than a celebration—it was a living testament to what love, generosity, and purposeful leadership can achieve.
As Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” The Funfair was timely and significant, nurturing joy and hope in the hearts of the young.
That the Olubaka, a Muslim by faith, personally supported this Christianinspired programme organized by his wife speaks volumes about his commitment to love, harmony, and religious tolerance.
The Qur’an enjoins in Surah AlHujurat 49:13: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.” This act of unity is a reference point for progress and development in any community.
Olori Adejumoke deserves special commendation for her virtues and genuine initiative in introducing this annual event, now in its second edition. Her efforts complement the consistent vision of her husband,our great inonokuku himself to make OkaAkoko a centre of excellence and a sanctuary of joy.
Together, their partnership embodies the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
The reign of Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye has indeed opened a new chapter in the developmental history of Oka Kingdom. His glorious efforts towards peace, progress, and development have strengthened the bonds of unity and inspired renewed pride in our heritage.
My privileged closeness to the palace of the Olubaka of Oka Kingdom has afforded me a rare insight into the virtues and qualities that distinguish His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON. Unlike many rulers who are content with ceremonial grandeur, Kabiyesi is deeply invested in the progress of his subjects and the peace and development of his community.
His leadership is not passive; it is active, deliberate, and often sacrificial. He can go to any length to agitate for the welfare of his people, embodying the timeless wisdom that true royalty is service, not privilege.
I recall with nostalgia a unique experience in faraway United States in 2002, when I had the honour of sharing a ride with Kabiyesi and Chief (Dr) Tai Olotu, the Mayegun of Okaland in the same SUV from Boston in Massachussetts to Providence in the State of Rhode Island.
Throughout the journey, Kabiyesi was engrossed in deep conversation in Oka dialect, and the subject was singular—rapid development in his community. His analysis was profound, his passion unmistakable.
The high point of the discourse was his narration of an encounter with someone in a vantage position to assist Oka on a pressing issue, but who, for reasons best known to him, was not genuinely keen to do so.
Kabiyesi’s disappointment was palpable, and his conclusion was framed in a striking Oka idiomatic expression: “Ara pa alara, ikoko gbako.” It was my first time hearing this phrase, and though I dared not interrupt to ask its meaning, I registered it in my mental faculty until my return to Nigeria, when I sought clarification.
That moment revealed to me Kabiyesi’s depth of thought and his ability to distill complex realities into cultural wisdom.
This encounter among several others underscored Olubaka’s rare qualities: calmness, intelligence, humility in royalty, and a relentless drive for progress.
He is a ruler who does not shy away from confronting uncomfortable truths, yet he does so with dignity and wisdom. His reflections during that journey were not idle musings; they were the convictions of a leader who sees his throne as a platform for advocacy, development, and the upliftment of his people.
In Kabiyesi, one finds a blend of tradition and modernity, of cultural rootedness and intellectual sophistication.
We in OkaAkoko are indeed fortunate to have such a distinguished traditional ruler as our royal father. His reign has been marked by peace, progress, and a renewed sense of unity. Calm in disposition, intelligent in analysis, and humble in his exercise of authority, the Olubaka embodies the ideal of leadership that is both inspiring and transformative. His virtues are not only rare but also enduring, and they continue to shape the destiny of Oka Kingdom in ways that future generations will look back with gratitude.
There is no gain saying the fact that Olubaka efforts are also supported by the collective contributions of Oka sons and daughters. The Okarufe Leadership Association (OLA) under Surveyor Dayo Omosowon, the Okarufe Cultural Foundation under Akinrogun Alaba Yusuf, and the Oka Descendants Union of North America under Professor Tobi Ogunro have remained steadfast umbrellas of unity and purpose.
Their avowed determination to contribute to the development of OkaAkoko deserves commendation, as do the leaders and members of these associations. Associations play a strategic role in the progress and development of any community by serving as organized platforms for collective action, unity of purpose, and resource mobilization.
They provide the structure through which sons and daughters of a community, both at home and in the diaspora, can channel their energies, talents, and resources toward common goals. Associations also act as bridges between tradition and modernity, ensuring that cultural heritage is preserved while simultaneously driving socioeconomic advancement.
In essence, they embody the principle that “alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” (Helen Keller).
In OkaAkoko, these three associations have stood out in this regard: the Okarufe Leadership Association (OLA) Okarufe Cultural Foundation and the Oka Descendants Union of North America. Each of these bodies has remained steadfast in their avowed determination to contribute to the growth of Oka Kingdom.
Through their initiatives, they have fostered unity, supported cultural celebrations, and mobilized resources for developmental projects. Their enviable leadership has ensured that these associations are not only vibrant but also impactful, positioning OkaAkoko as a community where progress is driven by collective responsibility.
The names of leaders and members of these associations will go down in history as those who steered their respective associations in the right direction for the advancement of Okaland. By harnessing the strength of communal unity, they have laid a foundation upon which future generations can build, ensuring that OkaAkoko continues to thrive in peace, progress, and development.
The entire members of the OkaOba in Council deserve heartfelt appreciation for their immense support to His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON. Their steadfast loyalty and collective wisdom have been instrumental in strengthening Kabiyesi’s vision of peace, unity, and progress in the community.
By standing firmly with the throne, they have ensured that the Olubaka’s reign continues to flourish as a beacon of stability and development. Their contributions, though often quiet and behind the scenes, remain vital in sustaining the cultural and political fabric of OkaAkoko Kingdom.
It is important to appeal to the council not to relent in these noble efforts, for their role is both crucial and significant. In the philosophy of governance, no leader thrives in isolation; the strength of a king is magnified by the counsel and cooperation of his chiefs. As the Yoruba adage wisely says, “Agbajo owo la fi n soya, owo kan ko gberu d’ori”—it is with joined hands that burdens are carried, for one hand alone cannot lift a load to the head.
The OkaOba in Council must therefore continue to complement Kabiyesi’s initiatives, fostering peace and unity, so that the collective aspirations of the people of OkaAkoko may be realized in full measure. Their unwavering support is not only a duty to tradition but also a sacred responsibility to posterity.
As we move into the new year, let us remember the timeless truth: “Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved” (Mattie Stepanek). It is only through unity that meaningful progress and development can be achieved, in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the Olubaka of Oka Kingdom.
May His Imperial Majesty’s reign continue in peace and prosperity, and may all sons and daughters of OkaAkoko enjoy a very peaceful and successful New Year.
Sir (Dr) Felix Ale is a prominent son of OkaAkoko and currently serves as the Spokesperson of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria’s leading space domain and the foremost space institution in Africa.
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