•Why The Age Grade Group Is Still Very Popular In IJEBU
At the recent classy wedding of Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s daughter, Kenny, in Lagos Egbe Bobakeye Okunrin Ijebu distinctly stood out, in their colourful outfit. Below are members of Egbe Bobakeye Okunrin Akile Ijebu. Their host, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is a valued member of the age-grade group and he made sure that members attended the wedding, to honour him. As it is customary, members are always supportive of one another.
Till now, many still don’t know why the Egbe Bobakeye Okunrin Akile Ijebu appears to be the most visible of all the Age grade groups. We can tell you why. The group is immensely blessed in terms of the high quality blessed members, many of whom are top professionals in various fields. They are also rich and accomplished. Among its members are former governors, Engineers, Architects, Doctors, Real Estate gurus, Journalists, and even reigning kings, among others.
Egbe Bobakeye (Okunrin) is a traditional organisation for men in Ijebuland. Members were born between 1st January 1956 and 31st December 1958. It is important to mention that although, everyone born in Ijebuland within this period is a Bobakeye, but not everyone born within the period is a member of Bobakeye as a traditional society. The age range may be an automatic qualification, but to be a member is really a matter of choice and interest. Apart from meeting the set standards, you are expected to be a reliable, honest and trustworthy person.
The Vision of the Egbe is to unify the whole of Ijebuland, through membership, from Ikorodu to Remo to Ijebu Waterside to achieve the proposed long-overdue Ijebu State and to put smiles on the faces of all Ijebus.
The activities of Bobakeye centre on its aims and objectives as stated below: Promotion and Sustenance of Ijebu Customs & Traditions, Promotion of Social & Economic Development of Ijebuland • Support & Educational Development, Promotion of Unity of Ijebu Land, Support & Assistance to Members, Cooperation with other groups of similar Objectives, Engagement in activities that will enhance the realisation of our objectives.
These objectives have led the society to the social, educational, economic, and political development of Ijebuland, working closely and in collaboration with the government authorities/agencies and other community organisations through their leaders to undertake development projects.
Egbe Bobakeye (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu is an age-grade group that has been transformed into a formidable institution that is well run by its members like a social club with its own constitution, Aims, Objectives and Structure.
Right now, there are about 190 members, most of whom are well to do professionals. So successful are its members that they include 6 traditional rulers, Professors, a former Governor, former Senator, many medical doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, top politicians, top businessman, and a retired colonel.
The group started in 1995 with about 40 members. It was incorporated in 1996.
The Grand patron of the group is Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland.
The Baba Egbe is Chief Chris Olufunmilola Okunowo, while the Iya Egbe is Chief (Mrs.) Yemisi Oshundeko.
The level of commitment and participation of members towards achieving its objectives is most commendable.
Some of their landmarks are all over Ijebuland, among others are the followings: Standing tall among the achievements of the age group, is the imposing Awujale Royal archway, the provision of medical equipment to the Trauma and Orthopaedic wards of Ijebu-Ode General Hospital and the construction of Adolescent Center, Ijebu Ode, among others.
Donation of Educational materials to schools in Ijebuland, Cultural Support of Ijebu Heritage both home & abroad, Support to various community groups, Support to Educational Establishments, Support to Youth Organisations and allied organisations.
The multi-million Bobakeye House at the GRA area of Ijebu-Ode is a development project that has social amenities for the use of the public. Renovation and management of The traumatic ward at General Hospital, Ijebu Ode.
Windows of Church fixed in Itele Ijebu. Renovation of the School Bus for the Children of Special needs. Support to the IRC on the resuscitation of the School of Nursing & School of Midwifery, Ijebu-Ode.
Support the IRC on revolutionizing the Environmental Sanitation programme in Ijebu-Ode.
It also continues to pay more attention to hardship in the Ijebu community by way of Charity and activities that are meaningful and leaning towards alleviating the suffering of people by providing strategies that enable them to support themselves.
Members of Bobakeye also include a former Governor of Ogun State, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former Honourable members of the House of Representatives House of Assembly and Chairman of Local Government, Obas/Chiefs and directors of public and private organisations to mention few.
The achievements of the members both at home and abroad are evidence of members’ unity and prosperity.
To this end, it is a unifying force that supports each member and contributes not only to the development of Ijebuland but also to the fatherland.
THE OFFICERS
Otunba Biodun Onanuga – Giwa, Dr. Bode Tawak – Otun Giwa, Otunba Kayode Adedipe – Osi Giwa, Nurudeen Owodunni – Hon. General-Secretary, Ayoola Belo – Asst. General-Secretary, Biodun Shonibare – Hon. Treasurer, Yinka Alese – Financial Secretary, Victor Okuselu – Social Secretary, Rashidi Gbindin – Asst. Social Secretary, Prince Bunmi Mebude – Publicity Secretary, Goke Balogun – Welfare Officer I, Kola Idris Ojobi33 – Welfare Officer II, Prof. Gbadamosi – Ex-Officio I, Wale Okusi – Ex-Officio II, Tunji Oloko – Auditor, Gbenga Mafe – Asoju Keye London, Abiola Amuludun- Bar Secretary, MKO Awokoya – Chief Whip.
THE COUNCIL OF CHIEFS
Otunba (Engr.) Gbenga Daniel – Balogun, Dr. (Chief) Tubosun Oduwole – Otun Balogun, Alhaji Taofik Agbornabiwon – Osi Balogun, Barrister Funso Olukoga – Basorun, Chief (Engr.) Dolapo Balogun – Kakanfo, Mr. Ladi Owodunni – Bababe, Chief Oluwole Obajimi – Seriki, Prince Bunmi Mebude – Bada, Barrister Rotimi Fabanwo – Bamofin, Dr. Biodun Otusanya – Basegun, Prof. Lasun Gbadamosi – Apagun-pote, Alhaji Dokun Kukoyi – Bamoto, Alhaji Rashidi Gbindin – Ameriya, Dele Ogunbowale – Asiwaju Keye, Otunba (Dr.) Olusegun Oshin – Joguno, Hon. (Arc.) 010 Oduwole – Parakoyi, Alhaji Rasaki Otun – Mayegun, Abiodun Shonibare – Atoyegbe, Otunba Victor Okuselu – Amuludun, Alhaji (Dr.) Wasiu Ayinde Anifowose – Gbobaniyi, Goke Balogun – Bagiwadara, Arc. Debo Aina – Apesin, Mabayoje Olokodana – Otun Ameriya, Laja Ewumi – Afofu-kete, Bayo Onanuga – Akinrogun, Hon. Gbenga Abdulai – Ameso, Ade Odukoya – Bogbimo, Solomon Oguntade – Aro, Col. MKO Awokoya (Rtd) – Akogun, Lekan Odunlade – Olotu Ona, Otunba Olukayode Adesanya – Otun Asiwaju Keye, Hon. Kayode Amusan – Ponle, Dr. Olumuyiwa Ope-ewe – Ojogbon, Otunba Demola Odutola – Ogbeni-Oja, Otunba Oskar Ibru – Olorogun, Arigbabu Bimbo – Borogun, Chief Remi Ogunmefun – Fesogboye, Alhaji Mutiu Olukoga – Fuwagboye, Yomi Idowu – Lisa, Arc. Tokunbo Fowode – Iroko, Prince Folarin Osinusi – Gbaderokun, Dr. Yomi Adesanya – Borokini, Tunde Adagunduro – Agbaakin.
THE KABIYESIS
Alaiyeluwa Oba Rasaq Adenugba (Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye), Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr.) Adetoye Alatishe (Gbegande of Ososa-Ijebu), Alaiyeluwa Oba Cossy Salami (Sadererin of Isonyin), Alaiyeluwa Oba Idowu Basibo (Alaperu of Iperu-Remo), Alaiyeluwa Oba Adebisi Okubanjo (Obiri of Idobiri Aiyepe) and Alaiyeluwa Oba Oluremi Obayemi (Elese of Ilese).
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