By Lukman OMIKUNLE
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ogun Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, royal fathers, business leaders and Ota indigenes celebrated Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege, at 60
Obasanjo, Ooni, Ogun Deputy Governor Grace Olota of Ota’s 60th Birthday in Grand Style
Glitz, glamour and a rich display of Yoruba culture took centre stage in Ota, Ogun State, on Friday, as prominent Nigerians, royal fathers, political leaders, business moguls and illustrious sons and daughters of Otaland gathered to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Olota of Ota, Oba (Professor) Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, Lanlege Ekun II.
The grand reception, held at His Place Event Centre along the Ota-Idiroko Road, was one of the major highlights of the week-long activities marking the monarch’s Diamond Jubilee anniversary.
Leading the distinguished guests at the celebration was former President Olusegun Obasanjo, alongside the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; traditional rulers from across Ogun and Lagos states; captains of industry; business leaders; politicians; academics; media personalities and prominent indigenes of Ota.
The ceremony combined the grandeur associated with a royal celebration with music, dance, tributes and a strong celebration of the history, culture and development aspirations of Otaland.
The event was anchored by Radio Lagos super presenter, Kafayat Adeola Orisile, alongside Princess Folashade Adeotun, whose seamless coordination and lively presentation added colour and energy to the reception.
The atmosphere became even more electrifying when Fuji music maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, the Maiyegun of Yorubaland, took to the stage with his band. The veteran entertainer thrilled guests with his trademark high praises and energetic Fuji rhythms, transforming the royal reception into a celebration of music and culture.
One of the most memorable moments came when former President Obasanjo, responding to the music, stepped onto the dance floor and beckoned to the celebrant, Oba Obalanlege. The two men exchanged rhythmic dance steps to the delight of guests, who responded with loud applause and cheers.
In another surprise moment, Obasanjo later joined K1 and his band on stage to deliver his remarks in honour of the monarch.
Addressing the gathering, the former President congratulated Oba Obalanlege on attaining the milestone age of 60 and prayed for many more years of good health and service to Otaland.
Obasanjo, who acknowledged the presence of the Deputy Governor, political leaders and traditional rulers, said he looked forward to celebrating the monarch’s 70th birthday with him in another decade.
He said, “By God’s grace, I have celebrated 60th birthday with you. By God’s grace, I would celebrate 70th with you, which is in 10 years’ time, but you will have to excuse me in 20 years’ time from your 80th birthday, by God’s grace.”
The former President also recalled the aspirations of Oba Obalanlege when he ascended the throne, noting that the monarch’s major objective had been to promote the all-round development of Otaland through infrastructure and human capital development.
According to him, the progress recorded in Ota under the traditional ruler’s reign was evidence of the monarch’s commitment to his people.
Obasanjo said, “When Kabiyesi Obalanlege ascended the throne of his forefathers, his major desire was to see the all-round development of Otaland, both in infrastructural and human capacity. I assure you that I will support you with all that is necessary to achieve your objective.”
He added that the monarch had demonstrated credibility and commitment to the development of his domain, stressing that Ota had continued to expand and progress under his leadership.
“You have also proven to be a worthy and credible ruler. You have put in your best, which we have been seeing the result. During your reign, Ota is developing, it is expanding, it is progressing,” Obasanjo said.
The former President expressed optimism that the ancient town would attain even greater heights, saying, “In your lifetime, by God’s grace, Ota will develop as London. There would be various opportunities for all in Ota.”
He prayed for the continued prosperity of the monarch, his family and the descendants of Iganmode, while also asking God to grant the celebrant sound health and wisdom to continue his service to the people.
“May God bless you with good health. May all the descendants of Iganmode progress wherever they are. May you keep progressing, continue with your good work, and may Otaland continue to progress. Happy birthday, Kabiyesi. I wish you many happy returns,” Obasanjo said.
A major intellectual component of the celebration was the unveiling and launch of a festschrift published in honour of the monarch.
Titled The Oba in the 21st Century: Sacred Authority, Culture and Development in the Digital Age, the book celebrates Oba Obalanlege’s 60th birthday and examines the changing role of traditional institutions in contemporary society, particularly in the areas of culture, leadership, community development and digital transformation.
The book, authored by selected top journalists, was formally presented at the event in the presence of dignitaries and members of the traditional institution.
The launch was anchored by Chief Bolaji Adeniji, the Olootu of Oruba-Ota, while veteran journalist and former presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, reviewed the publication.
The book presentation also attracted significant financial support from prominent traditional rulers, business leaders and philanthropists, with several dignitaries making substantial donations towards the project.
Among those who supported the book launch were High Chief Stephen Ajose, the Kinihun Onile Oodua, Oniba Ekun of Ibaland; Oba Sulaiman Adesina Raji; Esv. Victor Alonge; Oba Saheed Elegushi, Onikate of Ikateland; Oba Onitele of Itele-Ota; Chief Dele Fadairo and Chief Raymond Osho, among other distinguished guests.
In his response, Oba Obalanlege expressed profound appreciation to everyone who joined him in marking the milestone, describing the turnout as a demonstration of the strong bond between the traditional institution and the people of Otaland.
The monarch specifically thanked his wife, Olori Oloruntoyin Obalanlege, and his children, Prince (Dr.) Mustapha Obalanlege, Ph.D., and Prince Adetobi Obalanlege, for their support and companionship.
He also expressed special gratitude to Obasanjo for what he described as the former President’s fatherly role, encouragement and support for his reign.
Oba Obalanlege thanked the royal fathers, political leaders, members of the Otaland coronet, members of the Olota-in-Council and other dignitaries for honouring the occasion.
He reserved particular appreciation for the people of Ota, both at home and in the diaspora, whose support, according to him, had remained central to his reign and the development of the kingdom.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for the traditional institution in Ogun State to demonstrate its unity, with several prominent monarchs in attendance.
Among the royal fathers present were the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, FCA; Olofin of Ado-Odo, Oba Olushola Osolo; Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Oba (Prof.) Saaka Adelola Matemilola; Oba Onitele of Itele-Ota; Oba Saheed Elegushi, Onikate of Ikateland, as well as several other distinguished Awori monarchs from Ogun and Lagos states.
Members of the Olota-in-Council were also present, alongside prominent sons and daughters of Ota led by the Olootu of Otaland, Chief Jide Ojuko.
Beyond the music, dancing and colourful displays, the celebration offered an opportunity to reflect on the evolution of Ota and the role of traditional leadership in driving community development.
For the guests who converged on His Place Event Centre, the occasion was not merely a birthday reception but a celebration of a monarch, a community and an enduring cultural heritage.
As the music faded and guests departed, the message from the celebration remained clear: the 60th birthday of Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege was as much a celebration of his personal milestone as it was a renewed expression of confidence in the future of Otaland.
