It was celebration galore in the firmament of royalty. The noble birth, like the clap of thunder, was heard everywhere. Friday, October 29, 1943 was a day like no other, as re-collectors would roundly affirm. The news resonated even beyond the shores of Lagos, of the birth of a bouncing baby boy in the Akiolu royal family; changing the atmosphere to chummy jubilations and clapses of gratitude, both to the forbears and the Almighty.
Welcome Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu, man who would later become one of the first-class Yoruba Obas. For the Akiolu family, it was happiness without frontiers.
His growing up was predictably noble, as he would also grow to prove his mettle. While applauding him however, little did many of Akiolu’s contemporaries know that their pal would grow to later become a celebrated King.
In his humble beginning, Akiolu attended Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Surulere, Lagos (1961-1965) and studied law at the University of Lagos (Akoka campus), receiving his Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B).
After high school, he served for 32 years in the Nigeria Police Force, entering the force in 1970. He served in various capacities, ascending to rungs in the police hierarchy, through deserving promotions that ultimately resonated in his becoming Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), in 1999. He discharged his duties creditably until his retirement in 2002.
Akiolu, for the record, is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and a Fellow, Nigerian Law School.
On May 23, 2003, this vivacious, human dynamo was selected by the kingmakers of the Lagos Traditional Kingdom as the 21st Oba of Lagos. Without hesitation or prevarication, his choice was embraced by the Lagos State Government.
He was confirmed by the government a day after his nomination, and the following day, Akiolu was crowned Oba of Lagos. That was on August 9, 2003.
This celebrated monarch succeeded Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, and has through dexterity, native intelligence, professional experience, and traditional fecundity, taken Lagos to its Olympian heights.
At the moment, all points to the fact that his reign keeps presenting Lagos and Lagosians alike as shinning examples to others, nationwide; thus lending credence to the city’s widely acclaimed name: Centre of Excellence.
However, the road to this enviable summit is without its bumps, temptations and challenges, which the royal father is surmounting in love. For instance, some elements in the Akinsemoyin Royal Family of Lagos are challenging Oba Akiolu’s emergence in court, complaining, among others, that their lineage has been denied access to the throne.
Oba Akiolu is known to be a blunt, frank and straight-forward individual. If there is anything that is not lacking in the character of the reverred Oba, it is the fact that you know where he stands on all issues, as he does not hide behind a finger. In Yorubaland, this is the position that the society expects to find in its leaders.
As Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu clocks 80 today, there has been an outpouring of congratulatory messages and commendations from citizens of the country, the comity of native rulers, as well as political leaders.
On this noble day, the entire staff and management of Theliberationnews join myriad of people across the globe to celebrate one of the most celebrated Obas in Yorubaland.
Kaaabiyesi, may you live longer than your forefathers on the throne. Igba odun, odun kan. Ade a pe lori, irukere a dokini!
