[PHOTOS] Offa Stands Still As Femi Agbaje Whyte Marks Father’s 55-Year Legacy

The ancient city of Offa in Kwara State came alive on Monday, June 9, 2025, as dignitaries from across Nigeria gathered at Imperial Event Center, opposite Summit University, to commemorate the 55th memorial of Prince S.A.B. (Salami Ademideji Babalola) Oloyede, a revered patriarch of the Obatiwajoye Compound, who passed away on May 19, 1970.

The event, hosted by the Oloyede family, celebrated the enduring legacy of a community leader whose contributions to Offa’s development remain etched in history.

The ceremony was marked by a vibrant display of white, sky-blue and ankara attires as designated by the organizers.

It drew an impressive array of political, traditional, and religious leaders, reforcing Hon Abdulwahab Femi Agbaje Whyte’s influence across all sectors.

Spiritual highlight was the lecture delivered by the Chief Imam of Offaland, Sheikh Muhyidin Salman Hussein, which emphasized Prince Oloyede’s legacy of community service and unity.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was represented by a high-powered delegation, including Alhaji Abdul-Razhaq Abubakar Jiddah, Special Adviser on Special Duties; Alhaji Sa’adu Salahu, Senior Special Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor; Dr. Ghali Alaya, former Non-Executive Director, NNPCL; and Gidado Abdullateef Alakawa, Chairman, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority.

Other prominent attendees included Kwara State Deputy Governor, Elder Kayode Alabi; Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, representing Kwara North and Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Trade, and Investment; and Dr. Muheebah Dankaka, Executive Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC).

The Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Engr Salihu Yakubu Danladi was represented by Rt. Hon. Ojo Olayiwola Oyebode, Deputy Speaker.

Also in attendance were other KWHA members Hon. Abdulwaheed Gbenga Yusuf JK (Eesa/Shawo/Igboidun), Hon. Seun David Ogunniyi Adato (Ojomu/Balogun), Hon. Yusuf Atoyebi Musa (Odo-Ogun), and Hon. Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel, Chief Whip (Ekiti).

Traditional rulers added royal splendor to the occasion, led by the Olofa of Offa, HRM Oba Mufutau Muhammad Gbadamosi Okikiola Esuwoye II, Ajagungbade I, who served as the royal host.

Other monarchs in attendance included the Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, HRM Oba Dr. Hammed Makama Oyelude, Tegbosun III; Onipee of Ipee Land, HRH Oba Muftau Adebayo Lawal Titiloye III; Owalobo of Obbo-Ile, HRH Oba Adebayo Rufus Olusegun, Akamo-Ekun I;Afaaji of Faaji land, Oba Moshood Adeyimika Olawale Olaleke II, among others.

The event also saw the presence of Kwara State Commissioners, including Hon. Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi (Transport), Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu (Tertiary Education), Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam (Health), and Dr. Afeez Abolore (Agriculture and Rural Development).

Local government chairmen, including Hon. Sulaiman Olatunji Laaro Omituntun (Offa), Hon. Akanbi Kamar Olarewaju (Oyun), Hon. Olawale Gabriel Awelewa (Ekiti), and Mallam Garba Olayinka Lukman Agbelere (Ilorin East), Hon. James Abiodun Fadipe (Oke Ero), attended alongside Offa LG Council Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sharafa Olawale Mustapha, who led Offa LG councilors and appointees to the event.

Other notable figures present included Ambassador Abdulfatai Yahya Seriki Gambari MFR, Chairman/CEO of Kursi Group and Director General of Governor AbdulRazaq’s 2019 and 2023 campaigns; Barrister Segun Olawoyin, Akinrogun of Offaland; Alhaji Muideen Olaniyi Azeez Salako, National President of the Offa Descendants Union (ODU); Chief Lanre Shittu, Otun Akoni of Offaland and ODU Home Branch Chairman; Alhaji Musbau Olalekan Olaniyi, Bobajiroro of Offaland, Founder of Print Best & Zeems Sports Arena.

Other attendees included Mallam Khaleel Bolaji, former Chairman, National Orientation Agency Governing Board; Chief Abdulhakeem Kayode Adebiyi, Chief Kure of Offaland; Engr. Dr. Kadir Kamoru Oluwatoyin, Rector of The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Chief JB Ayeni (Chairman APC Elders Forum in Kwara South), ACP Ajeigbe Wahid Olayinka, Alhaji Mustapha Yekeen (Olowo Gada), Alhaji Kunle Adegboye (Papa), Offa APC Chairman, Hon. Teslim (Balogun) Sanni‑Aba, GMD, FCT‑UniAbuja Ventures Ltd, Hon. Musemil Kehinde Giwa, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke, Former KWHA Member & Candidate for Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Hon. Ezekiel Olamilekan Olagoke (Oba Ezekiel, Alaafin Kwara), Founder, Oko Arugbo Foundation, Dr. Lanre Shittu, Chairman/Chief Executive, Dele Group, Alhaja Idiat Morayo Olatinwo, Alhaja Muina Alaya, Alhaji Sani Lukman Alayande; Mujahedeen of Offa, Alhaji Saheed Obalowu; Asiwaju Moshood Shittu (AMS); Hon Sarafadeen Babatunde Tunde (Laka); Alh. Sarafa Shittu (Zeemat Petroleum) among others.

The ceremony was enlivened by a captivating performance from Fuji music legend King Saheed Osupa (Olufimoh 1), whose melodies added a cultural flourish to the occasion.

The memorial, a blend of reverence and celebration, reaffirmed the late patriarch’s enduring impact, with his son, Prince Femi Agbaje Whyte, currently Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor AbdulRazaq, carrying forward his legacy.

The event concluded with a reception at the same venue, fostering camaraderie among attendees as they honored a man whose son’s life exemplified service and leadership.