A Tribute to His Royal Highness Oba Olusegun AbdulGaniyyu Awokoya

Royal Visionary. Tireless Builder. Champion of the People: Celebrating the Transformational Leadership of His Royal Highness, Oba Olusegun AbdulGaniyyu Awokoya, the Alayeluwa of Irete-Ijebu

In an era when many leaders are content with the ceremonial, His Royal Highness, Oba Olusegun AbdulGaniyyu Awokoya, the Alayeluwa of Irete-Ijebu, embodies a bold new paradigm of kingship—one that fuses wisdom, service, and strategy. A monarch by lineage and a nation-builder by calling, His Royal Highness is rewriting what it means to be a custodian of culture and a catalyst for community transformation.

Rooted in the ancient and noble heritage of Irete-Ijebu, a town founded in the 15th century by the legendary Oyenuyi and connected to the royal line of Oba Jadiara, Oba Awokoya carries the mantle of greatness with humility, intellect, and vision. But his leadership transcends ancestry—it is defined by action, impact, and a deep-seated belief in people-centred development.

Vision Made Manifest: The Anowoneyo Area Community Development Committee (AACDC)

In 2022, His Royal Highness established the Anowoneyo Area Community Development Committee (AACDC)—a model of strategic grassroots governance and participatory leadership. This is not merely a committee; it is a movement of transformation built on inclusive empowerment and tangible results.

Under Oba Awokoya’s guidance, AACDC has delivered:

– Empowerment programmes for market vendors, giving dignity to informal traders and unlocking local commerce.

– Scholarships for disadvantaged students, providing a ladder out of poverty through education.

– Market stall construction and solar street light installation, enhancing safety and economic vitality.

– Strategic partnerships with law enforcement, ensuring peace and deterrence of crime.

– Acquisition of a 500kVA transformer, improving electricity access for households and businesses.

– Establishment of a Cooperative Society, with a robust loan scheme that supports farmers, artisans, and micro-enterprises.

Each initiative is not only a response to community needs—it is a demonstration of what visionary, ethical, and accountable leadership can achieve when it listens, collaborates, and acts.

A Scholar-King: Merging Tradition with Global Knowledge

A true renaissance monarch, Oba Olusegun AbdulGaniyyu Awokoya recently earned a Doctoral Degree in Real Estate Management from the American University for Peace and Governance in Texas, USA. This rare academic feat by a traditional ruler is not symbolic—it has direct bearing on how land, infrastructure, and urban development are approached within Irete-Ijebu and the broader Odogbolu Local Government Area.

His expertise bridges the local with the global, offering a rare fusion of traditional legitimacy and modern-day technical competence.

State Recognition for Sustainable Impact

In honour of his dedication to people-driven development, Oba Awokoya received the Award of Excellence from the Ogun State Government through the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperatives. This prestigious recognition affirms what the people already know: that Irete-Ijebu is thriving not by chance, but by leadership.

Irete-Ijebu: Where Heritage Meets Hope

Strategically located along the Ala-Ejinrin express road, Irete-Ijebu is more than an ancient town—it is a living hub of cultural celebration, agricultural productivity, and educational significance. Known for producing okro, cassava, cocoa, and palm oil, and hosting major festivals such as Oduduwa, Epa, and Agbo, the town pulses with life and legacy.

Thanks to the presence of the Oba Sikiru Olukayode Adetona College of Education and Technology, the town has also become an academic beacon, driving youth engagement and regional prosperity.

But it is the people-first leadership of Oba Olusegun AbdulGaniyyu Awokoya that fuels the modern renaissance of Irete-Ijebu—a king who honours his ancestors, uplifts his people, and envisions a future where no community is too small to shine.

May his reign be long, his impact enduring, and his leadership a light for generations to come.