By Sayo Àlàgbé
As Chief Ebenezer Obey once wisely noted, before a man is chosen and adorned with a chieftaincy title, he must first be proven—his life a variegated woven with dignity, integrity, and uncommon character. These noble attributes define Pharmacist Oyèdàpò Ìdòwú, Chairman of MarchForte Hotel, Ibadan. They did not fall upon him by chance; they are the proud inheritance of a distinguished lineage.
He is the worthy son of the late Chief Henry Adetoyese Idowu, the revered Bóbajíròrò of Ogbomosoland—my noble elder from our famous Áájé ward in Ogbomoso North Local Government. Growing up, Chief Henry Adetoyese Idowu stood in our community as a shining emblem of honour, hospitality, and hard work—traits deeply rooted in Ilé Àgbóró, the ancestral home of the Idowu family in Áájé, Ogbomoso.
Their family house, where their illustrious patriarch, Pa Samuel Ajiboye Idowu—fondly hailed as Alágbon—lived and prospered, was once a hive of vibrant activities. Pa Ajiboye, a renowned business magnate with a thriving mercantile PZ store at JB Area in Okelerin, had long been blessed from his successful business exploits in Kumasi, Gold Coast (now Ghana). His wealth and goodwill were so legendary that minstrels often visited to sing his praise:
“Òyínbó l’Alágbon Ìjòsí — Jos Plateau;
Òyínbó l’Alágbon Èkó — Lagos;
Ajiboye Idowu l’Alágbon gbogbo Kumasi!”
Their songs echoed his prosperity from Kumasi to Ogbomoso, celebrating a man who built both fortune and goodwill wherever he dwelt.
Chief Henry Adetoyese Idowu and his younger brother, Akinloye Idowu, inherited their father’s generous spirit. In the 1970s, they introduced many of us to a colourful world of social glamour—occasions filled with sumptuous meals, warm camaraderie, and the performances of leading musicians. Through them, I first encountered icons like Ìdowu Animasahun (Apola King), Chief Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Adé, Uncle Toye Ajagun, Délé Abiodun (Adawa Super System), among others.
The Idowu children inherited not just their father’s wealth, but his sterling ethic of industry. They preserved and expanded his legacy with honour.
Today, Oyedapo Idowu walks proudly in these ancestral footsteps. He embodies his father’s virtues—diligence, the grace to create wealth, a generous heart, profound humility, and an uncanny ability to relate with all people. His philanthropy flows naturally; his leadership radiates effortlessly. These qualities, gathered in one man, compelled the King of Igasi to recognize him as eminently worthy of honour.
“Oyedapo bólá nílé
Ó tun jogún olá
Ó tún sisé ribiribi kún olá
Kò yani lénu bomo araye ba n pè è l’Arísekólá”
It is upon this illustrious foundation that the ancient Kingdom of Igasi in Akoko, Ondo State, prepares for a grand cultural celebration: the installation of Pharm. Oyedapo Idowu as the Otunba of Igasi.
The highly esteemed title—endorsed by the Oloje-in-Council and conferred by His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Adeniji Mathew Adeleye—stands as a tribute to Idowu’s remarkable service to humanity, community advancement, and exemplary leadership across Nigeria.
According to an official statement from the palace, the conferment ceremony will take place on Saturday, 29 November 2025, at the royal palace in Igasi-Akoko. Proceedings begin at 11:00 a.m., with traditional rulers, dignitaries, and well-wishers expected from far and near.
In continuation of the festivities, a grand entertainment reception will hold on Sunday, 30 November 2025, at MarchForte Courtyard Hotel & Suites, commencing at 3:00 p.m.
For the people of Igasi—custodians of a proud and ancient heritage—the Otunba title is a sacred honour. It is reserved for individuals whose lives illuminate the community and whose commitments strengthen its unity, progress, and cultural pride.
And in Pharmacist Oyédàpò Ìdòwú, they have found such a man.
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