We are opening Orile-Igbon to mega investments —Oba Alao

The ancient town of Orile-Igbon in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State recently installed a traditional ruler, Oba Francis Alao. In this interview by TUNDE BUSARI, the traditional ruler speaks about the journey to the throne and his plans for his domain.

How did you receive the news of your appointment and where were you?

That was on July 17, 2017. I was in Lagos, precisely Victoria Island, where I was attending a business meeting. There was a call by the chairman of Surulere Local Government Area, Alhaji Ibrahim Gbodeniyi who said I needed to travel down to Ibadan immediately. He asked me to come down to the secretariat. I did as requested and met him and some local government officials. When we were through, we traveled down home and arrived at past 12 midnight.

Given your closeness to your wife, how did you break the news to her?

Incidentally, we were together in Victoria Island when the call came. She received it calmly and prayed. As a pastor, she naturally commits everything into the hands of God. She believes so much in prayer and that was what she did.

Did you feel any strange thing in you after the appointment?

I did not feel any strange thing because it was the work of God whom I serve. I gave praise to God and asked for his guidance in the new journey. I said to Him “Almighty God, I have been called upon to the throne, perfect your will if I am destined to the throne. Against all odds, let your will be done.”

What happened when you woke up the following day after your arrival?

Early in the morning, the kingmakers, led by the Balogun, Jimoh Adeyemi, came and led me to a place called Igbole. That was where the installation was performed and Akoko leaf inserted into my cap. Everything went well according to the customs and norms of the town. Akoko leaf is the symbol of installation in Yoruba land. Then I moved round the whole town which stretched to the location where we have the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.

How can you describe that procession round the town?

The crowd of people greeting from every point was amazing. The turnout was even enough to tell one that he has no reason to disappoint those jubilating, cheering people. The traditional chiefs too were not left out. They were all there heaving a sigh of relief that they had made a right choice?

What do you think made you the choice of your people?

The chiefs craved for a new king who would continue the development which my immediate predecessor achieved before he passed on. It is on record that he brought the state high court, divisional police headquarters, trailer park and other amenities. They believe that a well-traveled and credible successor was what the town needs. If you were there you would have seen what I am talking about. The procession was not an easy exercise but thank God it went well. I prayed for the people and acknowledged their warm greetings too.

Wasn’t the period you were in seclusion boring being an active businessman who was always on the road?

It was not boring in the true sense of it. It was in fact lively because people were visiting me. The chiefs and all religious groups—Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers—came to pray for me on a daily basis. I want to use this opportunity to clarify that what happens in Ipebi is purely traditional. There is nothing fetish in it. It was transparent from day-one to the seventh day.

You are a son of a regional pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). Your wife is also a pastor. How do you explain this against your traditional obligations as Oba?

I am assuring you that there is no problem in striking a balance between my religion and my culture. I just told you that, contrary to what they say out there, there is no fetish thing we did throughout that seven day. This is saying that being a Christian or Muslim does not prevent you from ascending the throne if you have right to the stool of your town. In fact, I am going to invite the CAC , the Christian Association of Nigeria and other leading pastors to my coronation. I am going to tell them to encourage others to return home and contest for the throne. From the first day my appointment was approved by the governor of Oyo State till date, prayer, fervent prayer has always been our pillar of support here.

Now that you are the king who has unrestrained access to as many wives as possible, what will happen?

I am too close to my wife for anybody to come in between us. I cannot just imagine it. She has access to everything about me and everything God has blessed me with. I am Sola and she is also Sola. If I am her male version of Sola, she is my female version of Sola too. You can see what I mean now. Before she came into my life, I had a fair share of youthful lust. But as soon as we came together, that was the end of such. Having more than one wife is a matter of choice. It is not restricted to traditional rulers, mind you. You can have any number of wives. But for me, I am contented with what God has blessed me with. In fact, I cannot even stand it. I cannot manage it. We were destined for each other and that is final. Even before we settled down I did not go out with more than one at a time. I did not because I did not have the stomach to absorb contradictions.

What do you think lies in the palace that attracts young professionals who have made their mark in their respective careers?

They say blood is thicker than water. If you know you have royal blood running in your vein and your people call you because they know you are credible, it then becomes divine. The position is special and meant to be held by special people who are blessed and driven with a spirit of service to humanity. I have tried as much as I can to grow my enterprise to an enviable point. So serving my people is a good idea which God has reserved for me.

How did you even enter the race to the throne after the transition of your predecessor?

The Mogaji of our Akinbola Ruling House, Pa George Olayinka, called me and even said pointblank that I should come and ascend the throne. He said the town could not afford to retrogress or stagnate. He was confident and very serious about the matter.

What specific role did your wife play during that time?

As I have said earlier, we do things together. She saw the call as hers and joined me in prayer. She was managing director of a bank for many years and I believe she is going to use her wealth of experience to achieve my vision for the town.

Can you share some of the vision?

Before I mark my first coronation anniversary, investment worth N20 billion would have come to Ile-Igbon, God willing. I have traveled to the United States of America, South and North America and Europe. The exposure I have gathered on those trips will come to bear during my reign. We have the best cashew in the country. We are going to develop cashew production and cassava too. Ile-Igbon will shortly become an investment community. I am going to work together with governments at all levels on this vision with a view to expanding our success. I know the expectation on me is very high, going by my status as a successful businessman. I am so conscious of it and, God willing, I am going to do my best to live up to the expectation.