By Paul Ukpabio
What his son Prince Adegboyega Aderemi say of the late
royal:
Oba Adesoji Aderemi, Ooni of Ife, 1930-1980, was a man
of many parts. As a frontline nationalist, he played a great role in Nigeria's
march towards independence. With the collapse of imperialism in the years after
World War II, when men of statute were needed to spearhead nationalist
activities in Nigeria, Oba Aderemi was in the vanguard of the Titans of that
epoch. 
He was an important member of all the conferences which
ushered in both the MacPherson Constitution in 1952 and the Independence
Constitution in 1960. He was also a member of the House of Representatives as
well as a Central minister in Nigeria's first cabinet between 1952 and 1953.
When the Western House of Chiefs was established in1954, he became its first
President and remained so until he was appointed the Governor of Western
Nigeria in July 1960; the first in the British Empire and the Commonwealth. 
It is instructive to note that throughout these periods of diverse national duties, Sir Aderemi still performed his traditional duties with great aplomb. In recognition of the pivotal role he played in the affairs of his people, he was awarded honors CMG, KBE, KCMG by the British Monarchy.
Between the early and mid-1920s, Prince Adesoji Aderemi
had already carved a niche for himself as an astute business tycoon with
multiple successes as a produce merchant, farmer and transporter.
It was therefore not a surprise he was installed as the
Ooni of Ife when the throne became vacant in 1930. A wealthy, successful and
educated Oba had ascended the revered throne of Ile-Ife bringing with him a
modernizing mind-set and introducing a raft of revolutionary ideas all in an
effort to transform an ancient community.
When he decided to establish Oduduwa College in 1931,
the Resident of Oyo Province, Captain W.A Ross advised him against it,
suggesting that education would empower his subjects to rebel against him at
some point in the future. Oba Aderemi disagreed. To him education will always
be the key to the emancipation of his people from the tyranny of poverty;
unlocking new vistas in prosperity.
Not only did he establish the college,he
also founded two feeder primary schools - Ife Central and Origbo Central to
ensure a steady flow of students to the college. When the siting of the
Region's university became politicised, with some members suggesting that Ife
had already produced the governor, he offered to resign as governor so that the
University could be located in Ife.
Not only did he establish the college,he
also founded two feeder primary schools - Ife Central and Origbo Central to
ensure a steady flow of students to the college. When the siting of the
Region's university became politicised, with some members suggesting that Ife
had already produced the governor, he offered to resign as governor so that the
University could be located in Ife.
He made 13,000 hectares of land available as a
demonstration of his resolve. The events of the Constitutional crisis of
Western Nigeria in 1962, saw the Ooni retiring to his throne to devote the rest
of his life to the progress of his people of Ile-Ife and the Yoruba nation at
large. He remained a pillar of strength and a repository of wisdom and
knowledge - a bridge between the ancient and modern worlds.
By the time he joined his ancestors in July 1980 after
50 glorious years on the throne, he had left a great legacy that will endure
for many generations.
And here’s what the Late legal luminary, Queens Counsel
and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Kayode Rotimi
Williams, said of him...
Your late earthly Father our highly Revered Kabiyesi
Oba Adesoji Tadeniawo Aderemi of highly Blessed and highly Cherished Memory was
the Greatest Yoruba Emperor of of our time. He had the Conquistadorial
greatness of Alexandra, the Wisdom of Solomon. He was more knowledgeable than
Plato Aristotle and Apollonius of Perga. He had the Personality Carriage and
Poise of his great forebear the Legendary Oduduwa.
The intimidating Respectability of the mighty
Oranmiyan. He was the Royal Embodiment of Emporial Dignity. No Obas like him
again, what we have now are Charlatans puppets on strings and Stomach
infrastructure people. May the Good Lord Continue to Shower the Star
Studded Family and descendants he left behind with his Choicest Blessings in
Jesus Mighty Name.
Warm Regards.
No comments:
Post a Comment