The Olowu of Owu-Kuta, HRM Oba Hammed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, in this interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, talks about the peace and unity existing among his Owu people, his efforts in bringing them back home to invest in their fatherland, tourism potentials and social investment drives, among other things.
What is the status of Olowu Kuta among other traditional rulers in Osun State and in Yorubaland?
Olowu of Owu Kuta is the chairman of the Supreme Council of Owu Obas and Chiefs in Yoruba land and member of the Osun State Council of Obas. Olowu Kuta is a foremost traditional institution in Yorubaland with very rich cultural and historical background. The Olowu Kuta is the rallying point for Owu Obas in Yorubaland. I am the chairman of the Council of Owu Obas. Apart from being an Olowu of Owu Kuta here, it’s still my responsibility to see to the day-to-day running of owus, including Owus in Ijebu, including Ijebus. The Owus are the Jews of Africa, of Yoruba race.
Owu people are scattered all over, what are you doing to unit and bring Owu people together as one family?
Owu people are united through an umbrella body known as Royal Union of Owu People (RUOP). It was founded by the late Balogun of Owu, Chief Akin Olugbade, which we are using as a platform to unite Owu people and we do hold Owu national convention annually. It started 27 years ago. It is always a very big occasion. It takes place in December. Every December, all Owu sons and daughters gather. It’s usually a two-day event and it’s always rotational among Owu communities irrespective of size or location.
When you became Olowu Kuta, what was the situation in the town and how is it now?
On my enthronement as the Olowu of Kuta, the overwhelming acceptance of my choice by my subjects was the advantage and opportunity I needed. My primary assignment after I was enthroned was to foster peace among my people. I fostered peace and unity among them. People who normally would not sit together before because of one issue or the other now see themselves as one family and they now sit together, leave their drink behind, go and come back to it and continue drinking.
I started to draw our people far and near back home. I told them that the witches and wizards were not killing people anymore. I told some of our people who stayed put in Lagos to come home; I compelled them to come back home. I made it mandatory that for anybody to be given a chieftaincy title in my palace, you must build a house in the town. An Owu Chieftaincy title is very expensive. Those I met, who didn’t have a house in the town, I withdrew it from them. You can own high-rise houses in Lagos or London but you must come back home to build a house. You must build an edifice in the town. I’m happy to tell you that Owu Kuta indigenes are returning home unlike before.
What have you done to elevate Kuta?
We have made huge social investments to put Kuta on the world map; we have bequeathed a world class palace to Kuta, we built a modern police station, we have successfully broken the age long jinx with the construction of a bridge on Osun River which separates Kuta-Ikoyi-Ede towns. With that bridge constructed by the Nigerian Army during the tenure of our hero and legend, Lt. General Tukur Buratai as Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, the communities can now connect through that road. My town had been struggling for the past 100 years over that bridge. I got God’s favour through Buratai, the bridge has been constructed by the Army engineers and inaugurated for use.
An Oba does not have a budget to do roads or projects, but you can only drive people to do that for you. Anything I think that can be of advantage to my kingdom, I go for it. Gone are the days when a monarch will sit and you will expect goodies to come, you go for it now.
You always drum up support for the Nigerian Army, is it because of the bridge?
My advocacy for the Nigerian Army is purely on patriotism as a father of the nation and I will continue to do that.
How are you coping living in such an ancient town, given your exposure to modern world?
I’m coping and enjoying it at the same time. Kuta is a nice place and my subjects are wonderful people. The town is cool and safe; the serenity, peaceful ambience, cultural festivals and the ultra modern palace as well as the palace mini zoo, among other attractions, makes it very interesting.
Meanwhile, I have friends who have been coming to see me here and that really helps. These are friends who have been there for years. Every weekend, my friends from far and near come to see me at the palace. We make the palace lively.
Most importantly, my godfather and mentor, former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), who I call Baba Oba (King’s Dad) does not allow me to even feel the pinch. He still does things for me beyond what I am entitled to.
What was the condition of the palace you inherited?
I didn’t inherit any palace; my predecessors used their respective compounds, so I insisted on having a palace for the town and here I have bequeathed one to my kingdom.
Is there any tourist potential in Kuta?
Yes, we’re working in conjunction with experts to make all identified tourist potentials realistic.
Your palace is very beautiful, what’s the secret, who built the palace for you?
Yes, we have a very beautiful ultra modern palace, we received the support of our government and friends as well as my personal sacrifice.
How was your growing up years?
I was born and bred in my kingdom. I am the first child of my family. My great grandparents migrated from Orile-Owu in 1427 to the present Kuta. Ever before the Owus war in 1820, our forebearers migrated here in 1427. My great grand dad – Tegbosun, was the 1st Olowu. That is why I am Tegbosun 3rd. Luckily, my grand dad – Oyelude, became Tegbosun 2nd. Coincidentally, I have direct descendants again and became Tegbosun 3rd.
Most of my younger days were spent in the North. If not for the royal throne, I speak Hausa better than Yoruba language. When I travel to many countries, I usually meet many of our boys in IBB camp. So, my growing up days were up North.
What has life taught you over the years?
There are so many basic lessons that life has taught me. One is that whatever is meant for you will certainly come to you, once you are patient and persevere. My Oga in Minna (IBB) was surprised when I went to inform him that I was becoming a king. Since I became Oba, he (IBB) ceased to call me by my name; he will always call me Kabiyesi. Anytime I am in Minna, he will invite his childhood friends (elders) to come and welcome me. Life has taught me that when God’s time arrives, everything becomes automatic.
All through my life, I have maintained my integrity and pedigree. I didn’t know it would take me to where I am today. That is what life has taught me. That is why I keep telling people to maintain a good pedigree.
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