MSSN Honours Akeem Adeyemi, Senator Akintunde with Political Icons Award as Lawmaker Attends Major Community, Religious and Cultural Events in Oyo

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By Sayo Alagbe

Prominent member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Prince Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, and Senator Yunus Akintunde have been honoured with the Political Icons Award by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Oyo Area Council (OYAC), in recognition of their contributions to community development and public service.

The award was presented on Saturday, July 11, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Federal School of Surveying, Oyo. According to the organisers, the recognition was in appreciation of the duo’s unwavering commitment to initiatives that have positively impacted the lives of the people and accelerated development across the community.

Receiving the award, Prince Adeyemi expressed gratitude to the leadership and members of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria for the honour, describing it as a motivation to remain steadfast in his commitment to selfless service and grassroots development.

Following the award ceremony, Prince Adeyemi and Senator Akintunde attended the 4th Turbaning Ceremony of the new Imam Raatib, Chieftaincy Conferment and Merit Award organised by the Elewi Central Mosque at A.D.S. Yidi in the Agunpopo area of Oyo.

The dignitaries participated in the event as Special Guests of Honour alongside religious leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders and other invited guests who gathered to celebrate the newly installed Imam and recognise individuals who have distinguished themselves through exemplary service to society.

Also Read: Ogbomoso Group President Urges Muslims to Sustain Ramadan Virtues After Eid

The day’s engagements also took the political leaders to the forecourt of the Palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, where they joined thousands of residents and visitors for the grand finale of the annual “Egungun Oba Lode Oyo 2026” cultural festival.

The colourful procession and exhibition of traditional masquerades was organised by the Isese Religion Association, Oyo Alaafin, in collaboration with the Ijo Oje Welfare Association, Oyo Zone, as part of efforts to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Oyo Kingdom.

Prince Adeyemi paid homage to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, the Alaafin of Oyo, who hosted the festival and welcomed guests from different parts of the country to the celebration.

Speaking after the series of engagements, the lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people, stressing that his public service remains focused on promoting development, supporting community-building initiatives and fostering unity among the people.

He noted that recognition from reputable organisations such as the MSSN serves as encouragement to continue championing programmes and policies that improve the welfare of the people.

Prince Adeyemi further emphasised that leadership should always be driven by the desire to positively impact society, adding that he would continue to support initiatives that advance education, religious harmony, cultural preservation and sustainable development.

He maintained that his actions would always remain people-centred, assuring residents that he would never relent in contributing meaningfully to the growth and progress of Oyo and its surrounding communities.

The multiple engagements underscored the convergence of educational, religious and cultural institutions in celebrating individuals whose contributions have continued to shape the socio-economic and cultural development of the ancient city.

Also Read: BALE MASIFA OF OGBOMOSO, HIGH CHIEF GBADEBO OYEBODE ADEOBA, TRANSITS TO THE ANCESTRAL REALM By: Adewuyi Adegbite. The entire Ogbomoso community has been thrown into mourning following the transition of the Bale of Masifa, High Chief Gbadebo Oyebode Adeoba, a revered traditional leader, seasoned herbalist, and custodian of Yoruba heritage. High Chief Adeoba, who passed away at the ripe age of about 85 to 90 years, was widely respected not only for his traditional wisdom but also for his deep knowledge of Ifa divination. His passing marks the end of an era for the Masifa community in Ogbomoso and for the traditional institution as a whole. Having known him for decades as a close friend of my late father, I recall that during my father’s lifetime, he often purchased planks from him. Following my father’s demise, Baba Adeoba continued to maintain a cordial relationship with me, sustaining a friendship that had spanned generations. It was, therefore, with deep sorrow that I received the news of his transition to the land of the spirits. Though his death calls for celebration, given his age and achievements, it is always difficult to part with a loved one. In the Yoruba worldview, however, such a man is not considered dead but rather transformed into an ancestor. As a monarch and traditionalist, Bale Adeoba lived a fulfilled and exemplary life worthy of emulation. A professional herbalist and seasoned Babalawo, he was deeply versed in the Odu Ifa corpus. His expertise in divination took him beyond Nigeria’s borders to South America, particularly Brazil, where he not only practiced Ifa divination but also lectured adherents on its rudiments. Masifa, the community where he reigned, holds a unique historical position in Ogbomoso’s evolution. It was one of the 143 towns and villages that converged in Ogbomoso during the early 19th century as part of a strategic move to ward off invasions from Ilorin and other enemies following the fall of Oyo-Ile, the capital of the ancient Yoruba Empire. The Masifa people originally migrated from present-day Osun State, specifically the Ejigbo Local Government Area. Other towns that migrated alongside them included Agurodo, Isudunrin, Ola, Aye, Iwata, and Opete. While many of these towns later returned to their original settlements after hostilities ceased, some—like Masifa, Agurodo, and Olorasoko—remained in Ogbomoso, duplicating their traditional institutions but maintaining familial and cultural ties with their homesteads. I had the privilege of interviewing Baba Adeoba some years ago while gathering materials for “The Genesis: The History of Okeelerin,” authored by His Majesty, Oba S. B. Amao, the Aale of Okeelerin. During the interview, I asked him how their ancestors came to settle in Ogbomoso from Masifa-Ile. When I jokingly suggested that they might have sought refuge during the Fulani invasion, the outspoken monarch was quick to correct me. He vehemently debunked that claim, insisting that the Ilorin war never reached Masifa or its environs. He asked rhetorically, “How could the war that did not affect Ejigbo, which is only a few kilometers from Masifa, reach us? Did the Ilorin army use fighter jets to bypass Ejigbo and strike Masifa?” According to him, a prominent Oba in the Oyo Empire had invited their forebears, along with other communities, to settle in Ogbomoso as a strategic military move to defend the remnants of the empire from Ilorin’s incursions after the fall of Oyo-Ile. He also challenged the popular historical account of the 1835 Eleduwe War, often attributed to Oluewu and his Ibaruba ally. He asserted that his ancestor, Alajiki, for whom a major street in Masifa is named, actually led the war. His submission revealed the shortcomings of historians who rely on limited or single sources of information. Baba Adeoba further explained that if their people had indeed fled to Ogbomoso as refugees, they would not have had the confidence to settle at the outskirts of the new town—close to Ilorin’s frontier—where communities like Agurodo, Alapa at Taraa, Ajaawa, Ayegun, Osupa, and others were strategically positioned as defenders. “These towns,” he emphasized, “did not run from war; they formed the protective shield of Ogbomoso.” His position aligns with the account of Reverend N. D. Oyerinde in his classical text, “Iwe Itan Ogbomoso,” which acknowledges the military significance of these frontier settlements. Despite lacking formal Western education, High Chief Adeoba was a man of great native intelligence, courage, and decisiveness. As a ranking chief under the Soun dynasty, he was exceptionally loyal and humble. While many sought beaded crowns and undeserved titles, he proudly bore the simple but dignified title of Bale Masifa. During his reign, Masifa witnessed remarkable progress. He mobilized indigenes at home and abroad—including notable figures such as L. A. Gbadamosi, Justice Afolabi Adeniran, Barrister Dapo Atanda, Hajj Rasak Gbadegesin Kareem, and Hon. Wumi Ladeji—to contribute to the community’s development through the Masifa Progressive Union. Beyond his developmental strides, Bale Adeoba elevated the spiritual and cultural stature of Masifa through his mastery of Ifa. He will be remembered for his cordial relationship with all Ogbomoso monarchs, his detribalized nature, his patriotism, and his commitment to sustaining the bond between Masifa in Ogbomoso and their ancestral home in Osun State. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Orumogege III), the Soun of Ogbomoso, members of the Soun-in-Council led by High Chief Otolorin, other Soun High Chiefs, the Aale of Okeelerin, Oba S. B. Amao, the Aresa of Iresa (Pupa), the Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran (Lagbami Osekun III), members of the Masifa Progressive Union, indigenes of Masifa at home and in the diaspora, the Ola Aresa of Masifa, and particularly the Adeoba Royal Family, on the passage of this illustrious patriarch. May the ancestors receive him with open arms, and may his legacy of wisdom, humility, and progress continue to inspire generations to come.

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