February 11, (THEWILL) – Three months after he was tipped to fill the vacant position of Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Olorogun (Dr) Sunny Folorunso Kuku has finally been honoured with the title. The installation ceremony took place last weekend at the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, after the official confirmation.
The Ogbeni Oja title is the highest non-hereditary title that an Ijebu man can aspire to. The holder of the title is also automatically a king maker. Following his installation, Kuku became the third Ijebu man in modern history to be so honoured after the late Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola and High Chief Bayo Kuku (an uncle to the new Ogbeni Oja) who last held the position till his demise in 2015.
The Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land, otherwise known as the leader of commerce and industry in Ijebu, is a highly contentious one. The intrigues and competition that comes into play concerning who takes the title, naturally causes the Awujale such a long delay in the selection of the new holder. The title is usually given to a very successful businessman who is accomplished in his chosen career and at the prerogative of the Awujale.
Prominent Ijebu sons that have participated in the contest for the title include the Founder of Fototek, Chief Adegunwa and the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko.
Coincidentally, Kuku’s installation ceremony took place a month after he clocked 80. Being an important title, quite a number very important personalities converged in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State to felicitate with the celebrant. Among them were former Governors of the state, Gbenga Daniel, Ibikunle Amosun and Segun Osoba.
Also in attendance at the event were the Deputy Governors of Ogun and Lagos States, Noimot Salako-Oyedele and Obafemi Hamzat; the Osile of Oke Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho; Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, etc. On the bandstand to thrill guests was Queen Ayo Balogun.
An accomplished medical doctor, businessman and highly distinguished personality from the Balogun Odueyingbo Kuku Family of Ita Ntebo, Ijebu-Ode, Olorogun Kuku is the Joint Chief Medical Director and co-Chairman of EKO Hospital or Ekocorp Plc, which he co-founded in 1978. It is the only quoted Hospital on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the first Federal Government recognised private hospital.
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