Oba Gbadebo disclosed this over the weekend while speaking at the special award and luncheon, which was part of the activities to mark this year’s annual Lisabi Festival celebration.
The monarch gave vivid accounts of his journey to the revered throne of his forefathers and Osoba’s role towards his emergence as Alake,
Oba Gbadebo who was flanked by his Olori and Osoba, who is also the Akinrogun of Egbaland, recalled that the former Governor was the first person to put a telephone call across to inform him to start preparing for the royal stool after the passage of Oba Oyebade Lipede.
He pointed out that following the involvement of Osoba, the genuine zeal and love towards him, he was spurred and hence, decided to show interest and commitment in attaining the royal seat of his forefathers.
According to him: “I want to appreciate the role of Akinrogun, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who was the first person to call me to get prepared for the throne after the passage of Oba Oyebade Lipede.
“He called to congratulate me and told me to start preparing for the stool. I then said I was ready to take the heritage of my forefathers.”
The former military top brass turned royal father pointed out that in the history of Egbaland, he was the first traditional ruler to maintain one wife, saying that even his late father who was a traditional ruler in the Kingdom paraded 10 wives.
The monarch appreciated his wife for tolerating him even after over five decades of marriage, pointing out that this is even in spite of his profession as a soldier, businessman and traditional ruler, stressing that he would continue to ensure that peace does not lack in his domain.
The monarch also expressed the high level of unity and cooperation among the traditional rulers in Egbaland and beyond, and specifically appreciated the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola for equally injecting love among the traditional rulers in the Kingdom and beyond through his conduct.
Meanwhile, Oba Gbadebo during the annual celebration honoured some notable sons and daughters of Egbaland who have done so well in making the Egbaland proud in their various fields of life.
