By Abdulfatai Tomori
I had intended to write this piece before the installation ceremony of Sir and Lady Olusoji Olagunju as the newly appointed Aremo and Yeye Aremo of Offa. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to do so. It was only on the night before the grand ceremony that I finally decided to pen this down. On the eve of his installation, which was on a Friday, I met Sir Olagunju at the Imperial Event Centre, one of the best event centres in Kwara State. The centre is owned by our respected Kabiyesi Olofa of Offa and the paramount ruler of Ibololand, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Okikiola Esuwoye II, Ajagungbade I. My partner, Lukman Afolabi, and I were there to see the ODU National Social Secretary, Idowu Muideen Oladipo (IMO), who was one of the installation committee members. Upon arrival, I asked our host to identify our new Aremo among the people we met at the centre so that we could offer our congratulations.
I remember thinking that Lukman might have known Sir Olagunju from a distance. Lukman has an amazing ability to recognise people with ease, unlike me, who would need to confirm if I saw someone again on the second day. However, I must confess that I have only heard many positive stories about Sir Olusoji Olagunju and have never had the pleasure of meeting him before. As if they knew what I was thinking, both Lukman and IMO expressed their surprise at my ignorance, and one of them jokingly said, “Omo o daayan mo, you do not know better people.”
The national social secretary then informed us that the new Aremo was on the phone but would be with us shortly. After he finished his call, we were eagerly introduced to him. I must say that we were immediately impressed by his courteous, humble, and urbane demeanour. He welcomed us warmly, and it felt as if we had known him for a long time. We congratulated him on his new role as Aremo and wished him all the best. Based on our interaction with him and what I had heard about him in the past, I concluded that his selection was the perfect choice for the position.
It is noteworthy that Sir Olagunju’s installation, along with that of his wife, Yeye Aremo, received unanimous approval from the princes and princesses of Offa. This is a clear indication of the high esteem in which he is held by the royal family and the people of Offa. It is also a testament to his outstanding leadership skills and his ability to inspire trust and confidence in others. It is also important to note that the Aremo title is not a customary chieftaincy title. It is acquired by birthright: “Omo Oba o ki i je oye.” Aremo is typically a royal title reserved for those of royal blood. In most cases, the first son of the reigning king has the right to bear the name. However, recent events have shown that the title of Aremo can be given to individuals outside the royal family. Although rare, some kings give the title to people outside their domain as a way of recognising their contributions to the community.
Oba Mustafa Olawoore Olanipekun Ariwajoye II established the Aremo title in Offa. He was the 23rd Olofa of Offa, reigning from 1970 to 2010. The first recipient of the title was Professor Jimoh Mosobalaje Olaloye Oyawoye, OON, CON, who held the title from 1997 until his death in 2023. The new Aremo of Offa, Soji Olagunju, shares many similarities with his predecessor, Professor Oyawoye. Sir Olagunju is not only a prince on both his maternal and paternal sides, but he is also a self-made community man and a lover of people. In terms of lineage, Olagunju is the great-grandson of Prince Oyewole Temileke, the son of Oba Olumorin Anilelerin who was the Olofa of Offa between 1803 and 1832. On the maternal side, he is the great-grandson of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Atanda Adeyemi I (Alowolodu bi iyere), who reigned between 1945 and 1955. It is worth noting that the selection process for the Aremo title in Offa is complex and often lengthy, considering several factors such as his lineage, accomplishments, and notable contributions to society before a final decision is made. However, Olofa reserves the prerogative of appointing whomever he wishes to the position of Aremo.
The new Aremo of Offa, Sir Olusoji Olagunju, was born in 1964 and is a highly skilled communication expert. He is widely recognised for his remarkable contribution to the media industry, particularly for his efforts in establishing the first indigenous Catholic TV network (CTN). Lumen Christi TV broadcasts on multichannel (DSTV) and various other platforms worldwide. Prince Olagunju has an impressive academic portfolio, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance, a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and an honorary doctorate in Business Administration. His passion for learning and professional development has also led him to attend several courses and training programmes, both in Nigeria and abroad, including a prestigious training programme at the Harvard Business School in Boston, USA, in 2007.
Prince Olagunju is a highly accomplished investment banker and finance executive with a career spanning over 30 years. He began as an assistant registrar at First Registrars Ltd. in 2000 and rose to the position of deputy registrar in 2003. He also served several times as Registrar/MD of First Registrars Ltd. in an acting capacity. In 2005, he became Registrar/MD and CEO of Union Registrars Ltd., where he served as Registrar of Union Bank, Unilever, John Holt, SmithKline Beecham, Mobil Oil, Nestle Foods, and several others. Additionally, he played a critical role in the privatisation and commercialization exercise of the Obasanjo/Atiku administration as the team leader for the successful share offerings and launching of Zenith Bank, Oceanic Bank, Oando Plc, Standard Trust Bank, and several others in the years 2000–2002 on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Prince Olagunju is currently the Executive Chairman of Ebenezery Industries Ltd., a position he has held with distinction. His exceptional contributions to his community and country have earned him numerous awards and recognitions over the years. In 2021, he received the Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, the highest international award for a layperson in the Mother Church, from Pope Francis. Apart from the Papal Knighthood, Prince Olagunju has received several other prestigious awards, including the Lagos State Government Recognition Award, the World Union of Catholic Women Organisation Excellence Award, and the St. Cyprian Catholic Church Award, among others. Prince Olagunju’s impact is not limited to his international recognition. In his hometown of Offa, he has made significant contributions to the community, earning him the Silver Award from the St. Cyprian Catholic Church. This award is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the church and his exemplary leadership qualities.
Lady Olabisi Clementine Olagunju, the Yeye Aremo, like her husband, received her primary and secondary education in Lagos. She was born on October 2, 1974, and hails from the Akoshile family of Oro in Kwara State. Lady Olagunju is a trained medical doctor who completed her internship and house officer duties at the Lagos State Government General Hospital, Ikeja. She then served with the Lagos State Health Management Board between 2004 and 2005 before going into private medical practice. Currently, she is the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Ebenezery Heights Hospital in Lekki, Lagos. Additionally, Dr. Bisi Olagunju serves on the boards of Ebenezery Industries Ltd. Dr. Olagunju received the Yeye Aremo honour in recognition of her love for Offa, her people, and her history. She was also recognised for her unwavering support for her husband, Sir Olusoji Olagunju, over the years.
Offa is widely known for its welcoming and inclusive culture towards people who come to marry its sons and daughters. Notably, both the late Chief Mrs Omotola Awolowo-Oyediran (wife of Prof ABOO Oyediran who is the Baasegun of Offa) and Chief Mrs Caterine Ewemade Etim Soleye (wife of late Dr JD Soleye, who was the Bobagunwa of Offa) were honoured with the titles of Yeye Baasegun and Yeye Bobagunwa of Offa, respectively, along with their husbands who are from Offa. In a similar vein, both Chief Bayo Ojo (husband of Chief Mrs Folashade Ojo, who is the Yeye Olumofin of Offa) and Chief Rauf Kayode Adisa (husband of Chief Mrs Bolaji Iyabo Ibiyeye-Adisa, who is the Iyalode of Offa), were honoured with chieftaincy titles of Olumofin and Otun Atobase of Offa, respectively, along with their wives who are also from Offa.
The idea of recognising people’s efforts, regardless of their place of birth, tribes, or religion, in Offa was born out of the desire of the Kabiyesi, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, Ajagungbade I, to unite the community. It also aims to renew their efforts, propel Offa to new heights, and inspire others to act. The remarkable accomplishments and selfless service of the array of Offa traditional and honorary chiefs have been an inspiration to many, especially the younger generations. Furthermore, the installation of these chiefs has created a stronger bond of unity and cooperation that transcends the boundaries of the town. It is hoped that this recognition will encourage more individuals to contribute to the continued advancement and prosperity of Offa. This is to once again wish the new Aremo and Yeye Aremo all the best in their new positions.
Abdulfatai is the Chief Coordinating Officer at BiohistoHub, a research and biography writing organization. Contact him at obiograph@gmail.com.
