Oba (Prof.) John Akintola: Celebrating 7 years on Okin-Apa throne || Sunday Ogunkuade
pannigeriannews
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Today, December 24, 2022 is the seventh coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof.) John Akinola Akintola, Fagbodun Olumomi III, the Alapa of Okin-Apa. The reign of Oba Akinola is not only beneficial to Okin-Apa town alone but also to Ogbomoso zone, Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
Therefore, as the foremost monarch clocks seven years on the throne of his ancestors today, he deserves a pat on the back for holding the stairs, thus far. Okin-Apa needs no introduction to history minded people, particularly the Yoruba.
However, for the sake of those who knew nothing about the ancient kingdom of Okin-Apa but know the profiles of Oba (Prof.) Akintola, going down brief memory lane is imperative. Okin-Apa is one of the ancient, noble and large kingdoms in Yorubaland now in Surulere Local government area of Oyo State.
The kingdom consists of about fourteen villages and a very wide expanse of land. According to “Iwe Itan Ogbomoso” by Professor N.D Oyerinde, published in 1934, Soun Ogunlola, the first king of Ogbomoso married the daughter of Alapa. It was the daughter of Alapa that gave birth to the Prince that succeeded Soun Ogunlola.In addition, Alapa of Okin-Apa, according to the history and in line with the tradition, is one of the full-blooded Oduduwa sons. This implies that Alapa is the direct son of Oduduwa who was granted the right when Oduduwa was alive to wear beaded crown. However, in Oyo State and many parts of Yorubaland, crown-wearing Obas who have direct link with Oduduwa abound.
Meanwhile, in Oyo State the geographical location has denied many beaded crown-Obas (Alapa of Okin-Apa inclusive) membership of the state traditional council.
This is, therefore, an appeal to Oyo State government. Efforts should be made by the government to integrate them into the state traditional council. By all standard, Oba (Prof.) Akintola has a cause to be grateful to his forefathers and God for sparing his life thus far to serve his people. There is no doubt, he was definitely ordained by Olodumare and the ancestors to be on the throne of Alapa because he is there for a mission and the mission is to ensure Okin-Apa is transformed. The town has enjoyed among other amenities: befitting palace for the first class king, health centre, dvisional police station, electricity power supply, Okin-Apa market that is patronised at five days interval by both farmers and the traders from near and far, provision of potable water, access to communication networks, provision of modern shopping complex, hotels and suites for the comfort of the people, building of secondary school and renovation of primary school, kara goat/cow market, to mention a few.
All the aforementioned are at the instance of the Alapa of Okin-Apa, Oba (Prof.) Akintola and were not achieved on the platter of gold; it costs Kabiyesi personal resources, inconvenience and trauma. Good enough, Oba Akintola had experience-packed pre-coronation working life. He has, for years, been a Professor in the Department of Pure and Applied Biology at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso. Kabiyesi is the first Professor of Entomology and Pest management in LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
He was appointed in 2004 as a Director of Production and Consultancy Services of LAUTECH. In addition, he was elected as ASUU Chairman, LAUTECH chapter for the period of 1999-2004. While he was the Chairman of ASUU, Akada Cooperative Society was put in place to assist the economic status of lecturers.
Equally, in 2009 Kabiyesi was appointed as the Chairman, Environmental Committee for the University. As the Chairman of LAUTECH Environmental Committee, he used his good office to setup the God News Cooperative Society in 2009 for the benefit of the casual workers.
More, he was the Acting HOD of Pure and Applied Biology (2010-2012). He was a visiting lecturer (as an Associate Professor) to Covenant University, Ota, on sabbatical (2013-2014). He was a visiting Professor to Oyo State College of Agriculture Igboora between 2015 and 2016. He has a number of academic publications, journals and books both locally and internationally.
Kabiyesi has brought to the academic community the dignity and honour of a first class ruler and his wealth of experience has been of great significance to thousands of students, including Master and Doctorate degrees students. Kabiyesi’s academics from elementary to university were through scholarships. He even won Third World Academy of Science (TWAS) Post Doctoral Fellowship Award to the Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, New Delhi, India in 2008. No wonder, his sound education and accumulated corporate experience were brought into the realm of traditional administration and this can be said to be a contributory factor for the success of Alapa John Akintola as a monarch. This success is evident in transformation of an ancient, but comatose throne to an enviable one, and a hamlet to a town within the space of seven years.
His foot step is indelible in the sounds of time. As long as the earth exits, his acts, both as a University don and Alapa of Okin-Apa, will be a reference point in the annals of trail blazers. As the king marks his seventh years coronation anniversary today, I wish Alayeluwa, the Alapa of Okin-Apa, Oba (Prof.) John Akinola Akintola, Fagbodun Olumomi III long live on the throne of his forefathers. Kabiyesi igba odun, odun kan.
Ogunkuade (08036142877).
