Legal Practitioner Adebowale Olufeko Declares Intention for Awujalẹ of Ijebuland Stool
By Adenike Olowe
A distinguished Legal Practitioner, Arbitrator, Mediator, and Chairman of Technology Essentials Limited, Mr. Adebowale Owolabi Olufeko, LL.B (Hons), BL, LL.M (Soton), FCIArb, FIBA, FICIArb, has formally declared his intention to contest for the Stool of the Awujalẹ of Ijebuland, one of the most revered and ancient traditional thrones in Yorubaland.
In a solemn yet colorful gathering held before the Jadiara Bubiade Royal Family in Ijebu, Mr. Olufeko made the announcement before respected elders, noble women, vibrant youths, and illustrious sons and daughters of Ijebuland both at home and abroad. He described the moment as one of reflection, humility, and divine purpose.
He began by paying glowing tribute to the late His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, the immediate past Awujalẹ and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, who passed on after decades of transformative leadership. According to him, the late monarch’s reign “brought honour, dignity, and progress” to the Ijebu nation.
“First and foremost, I give enormous credit and recognition to the remarkable leadership and royal accomplishments we, the Ijebus, enjoyed during the glorious reign of our late father, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, the Awujalẹ and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland. His reign brought honour, dignity, and progress to our land. May his noble soul continue to rest in perfect peace,” he said.
Mr. Olufeko also extended heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, for what he described as his “visible support and numerous development initiatives across Ijebuland and Ogun State as a whole.”
“We pray that Almighty God will continue to bless him with wisdom, capacity, and divine strength to steer the affairs of our dear State to greater heights,” he added.
Declaring his ambition before his family and the larger Ijebu community, Mr. Olufeko stated that his decision to vie for the sacred stool was not born out of personal ambition, but a deep sense of duty, heritage, and service to humanity.
“Distinguished elders and family members, I have been called by elders, leaders, and well-meaning sons and daughters of Ijebuland, both at home and abroad, who have urged me — and given their blessings — to present myself as a candidate for the sacred Stool of the Awujalẹ of Ijebuland,” he said.
“This call is not born out of personal ambition, but from a sense of duty and service — a deep commitment to the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of our land. After much reflection, prayer, and consultation, I have accepted this call with humility and gratitude to God.”
He emphasized that his aspiration is grounded in the Jadiara Bubiade family slogan, which upholds the values of leadership, honour, and collective progress, assuring the gathering that he possesses the qualities, skills, and experience to drive development across Ijebuland, maintain peace, and foster inclusive leadership.
In outlining his vision for the Ijebu kingdom, Mr. Olufeko pledged to:
- Uphold the dignity and unity of Ijebuland, building on the enviable legacy of the late Oba Sikiru Adetona.
- Promote peace, security, and good governance, ensuring every Ijebu son and daughter feels safe and proud of their heritage.
- Empower youth through mentorship, education, and enterprise, leveraging his national and international networks to attract investment and innovation to Ijebuland.
- Strengthen Ijebu culture and tradition, particularly the globally recognized Ojude Oba Festival, by repositioning it to attract tourism, cultural exchange, and sustainable economic growth.
- Support the realization of Ijebu State, envisioned as a beacon of progress, good governance, and cultural pride for all Ijebus worldwide.
“My aspiration is to serve — not to rule; to preserve — not to change; to build upon the foundation laid by our illustrious ancestors and the visionary Obas who came before us,” he declared.
A respected professional, Mr. Olufeko has distinguished himself in both national and international service. He holds degrees in Law (LL.B) and a Master’s in Maritime Law (LL.M) from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), a Fellow of the International Bar Association(FIBA), and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators of Nigeria (FICIArb).
Before returning to Nigeria, he worked extensively in the United Kingdom, where he honed his expertise in legal practice and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). On his return, he continued contributing to national growth and capacity development in the legal and arbitration sectors. He currently serves as Chairman of Technology Essentials Limited, a firm driving innovation and digital transformation in Nigeria.
“These experiences — both international and local — have prepared me to bring excellence, fairness, and vision to traditional leadership. They have shaped in me the discipline, diplomacy, and foresight required to lead a people as proud and accomplished as the Ijebu nation,” he said.
Mr. Olufeko concluded his declaration by seeking the blessings, prayers, and support of his family and the entire Ijebu people, promising to uphold the virtues of honesty, wisdom, and compassion in service to the land.
“If, by the grace of God and the will of the people, I am found worthy of this sacred stool, I pledge to serve with integrity, fairness, and vision. I seek your blessings, your prayers, and your unflinching support as we embark on this sacred journey — to revamp our traditions, reposition our heritage, and continue to make Ijebuland the pride of the Yoruba nation and of Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
His speech ended with traditional eulogies, reflecting his royal lineage and cultural pride:
“Prince Adebowale Owolabi Olufeko LL.B(Hons), BL, LL.M (Soton), FCIArb, FIBA, FICIArb —
Omo Oba Jadiara,
Omo Bubiade,
Omo Bubiyemi ju owo amuna,
Omo O’ solori se Omoba,
Omo Olowo Joye Meji po,
Omo Olowo Joba Meji,
Omo Ojoye k’oye wun ni je,
Oje Dagburewe tan,
Otun je Awujalẹ,
Omo suku saya re to fi esiwu gbadi,
A i saya re k’o fi ijara gbadi penpen lona Ejirin.
Dansaki e … Omo Oba Jadiara.”
As the traditional succession process continues following the transition of the late Awujalẹ, Prince Adebowale Owolabi Olufeko joins other distinguished Ijebu princes seeking to uphold the legacy of visionary leadership, unity, and cultural preservation in Ijebuland.
