Thank you for being our Engine Room – Traditional ruler lauds Chief Egungbohun

An erudite monarch in Yewa North, Ogun State, SouthWest Nigeria, His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr) Lukmon Kuoye has lauded Chief Egungbohun (IBD Dende) for his interest in taking care of traditional rulers across the country.

The Olu of Imasai-Yewa said this while given his goodwill message at the 3-in-1 Celebration of the 95th Birthday of Pa ‘Lana Ephraim Akintan; Inter-Religious Prayer & Thanksgiving Session, Commissioning of Baba ‘Lana & Ibironke Akintan Shopping Complexes and Unveiling of Otunba ‘Lana Akintan (Human Rights Foundation Steering Committee) held at Oja-Odan, Yewa North LGA, of Ogun State during the weekend.

L-R: Oba Ololade Makinde (Oniwoye of Iwoye-Yewa), Hon Job Akintan (Host), Oba Lukmon Kuoye (Olu of Imasai), Oba Bashiru Oyero (Onijoun of Ijouun), Hon Haruna Wahab Egungbohun (Member representing Ketu II State Constituency), Oba Adegbite (Alale of Ajilete), and Oba Engr Oyebanji Adetunji Olowobese (Oloja of Oja-Odan).

“I thanked you, our “Engine Room”, Chief Ibrahim Egungbohun (IBD Dende), for always taking care of us, the Kings and Council of Chiefs.

“May your adversaries continue to fail in all of their attempts to pull you down”, Oba Kuoye prayed.

Earlier, the traditional ruler extolled Pa ‘Lana Akintan (founder, ELAK Nig Ltd and IBELAK Nig Ltd) for his loving virtues which have enabled him to play his politics in such a way that benefits not only Oja-Odan and Yewa Community but Ogun State as a whole.

Oba Kuoye urged all in audience to borrow a leaf from Pa ‘Lana Akintan for such an exemplary lifestyle while applauding Baba’s children, Hon Job Akintan (former House of Assembly member represented Ketu II State Constituency), in particular, for taking after the Nonagenarian’s business acumen and philanthropic gesture.

atotoDaily reports that Baba ‘Lana Akintan “was born on August 18, 1929 in the tiny village of Alase in Okoso, Agbele, Ogun State to the family of Mr Dina and Mrs Ibironke Akintan.

“He was the fifth of ten siblings.

“Despite his passion, he had to leave L.A. Primary School, Ibeku (now Yewa North Government Primary School) before completing Standard Six.

“Before the death of his mother in 1967 and his father sometime in 1970, Baba ‘Lana was singled out as the brightest prospect and a pillar upon which the entire family depended on. Responsibilities increased in geometrical proportion.

“Just like a gift to the troubled family, he woke up the masculine gestures in him and took up the mantle of leadership to provide the needed support to his siblings. Yet, his thirst for knowledge never left him.

“By the age of 18, while most of his peers were figuring out life, Baba ‘Lana was busy building his first house in the village. His green thumb didn’t stop there; he grew maize, rice beans, and cocoa.

“Later becoming a big name in importing and exporting agricultural produce and even a motor dealer in the 80s and 90s. Ola Olu Motors, Ola Oluwa Bakery, Ola Oluwa Transport were testaments of his business acumen. Talk about a savvy; versatile business mentality!

“On the home front, Baba ‘Lana had four wives and fathered 18 children. Yes, you heard that right—Eighteen! He must have had a really loud whistle to gather all for dinner. Despite the odds, fifteen of his children are graduates and are doing wonders both locally and internationally.

“Now, let’s talk about legacy. Baba ‘Lana was a philanthropist with a capital P. As at the last count, has contributed to the building of not less than eight schools, Police Stations even beyond the shores of Oja-Odan and provided homes where people live rent-free for years in Oja-Odan, Ifo and Abule-Egba, Lagos State.

“Baba ‘Lana diversified from import and export of Agricultural produce (Cocoa beans, palm kernel, caffe etc) into sale of petroleum products with his brand, ELAK Petroleum. He has been opportuned to chair the Petrol dealers Association in Oja-Odan Zone.

“Baba ‘Lana is not just a businessman, he earned the admiration and respect of many people from his promotion of human rights at various levels. The man was a one-man army for human rights!

“At 95, while most people are busy counting their remaining teeth, Baba ‘Lana is still paying school fees, building houses, and donating vehicles for the less privileged. Reflecting on his life, he credits his strength to his faith in God and his mother’s resilience”.

Baba ‘Lana advice to everybody was to “believe in God and be kind to everyone—simple but profound”.

Among the multitude of nobles present were Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Reps member representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon, Hon Gboyega Nasir Isaka (GNI), member representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, Hon Isiaq Akinlade, Lawmaker representing Ketu II State Constituency, Hon Haruna Wahab Egungbohun, former Speaker Ogun House of Assembly, Rt Hon Suraj Adekunbi.

Also, the presence of former Lawmakers; Hon Babatunde Edunjobi (Yewa South), Hon Atanda Oduntan (Ketu II), Hon Mrs Julianah Akintayo (Yewa South), Hon (Chief) Sunday Kojeku (for major Leader), Hon Fasinu (Ado-Odo/Ota), Hon (Chief) Alaba Adewunmi et cetera.

Royal fathers present were Oloja of Oja-Odan, Oba Oyebanji Adetunji Olowobese (Ilagba I), Olu of Imasai (Oba Lukman Kuoye), Oba Amusa Adetunji Dosumu Elebute of Ebute Igbooro), Oba Ololade Makinde (Oniwoye of Iwoye-Yewa), Oba Basiru Oyero (Onijaale of Ijaale-Ketu), Oba Kazeem  Aderibigbe (Alale of Ajilete), Onipinle of Ipinle.

The Oluomo of Yewaland, Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun (IBD Dende) graced the occasion alongside Baales, Council of Chiefs, Associations and numerous dignitaries.