Not only is he the wealthiest traditional ruler in Nigeria and the second wealthiest in Africa, according to Forbes ratings, His Imperial Majesty Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr) Frederick Enitiolorunda Obateru Akinruntan Okoro Ajiga 1, Olugbo of Ugbo, is as flamboyant as they come. Until 2009 when he ascended the throne of his forefathers as the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom and the entire Ilaje confederacy, he lived like a king. He was in a class of his own and exuded royalty.
Not one to do things in half measures, the former societal patriarch celebrated the 13th anniversary of his coronation last week. He hosted dignitaries from all walks of life to a grand celebration in Ugbo in Ondo State. The event took place at The Obamakin Osangangan hall Ugbo in Ilaje Local Government Area. Businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim chaired the event where he eulogised the Olugbo as a 21st century African king who is very passionate about the position of history in Yorubaland, equally very particular about the place of Ugbo in the Yoruba narrative, as well as his determination to put Ugbo on the global map as a place of reckoning.
Other major highlights of the anniversary included the cutting of Olugbo’s 13th year coronation anniversary cake, cultural displays from different cultural groups among others.
While thanking his subjects for a peaceful 13-year reign, Oba Akinruntan commended the Ondo State Government for investing heavily in the Ondo State Deep Sea port facility located in Ilaje, noting that the facility would bring the Sunshine state to the limelight and set the stage for turning it into a commercial and industrial hub in Nigeria.
Besides being the founder of Obat Oil, one of Nigeria’s top oil and gas firm, which he established in 1981 with perhaps the biggest farm tank in Nigeria, Oba Akinruntan has massive investments in real estate, hospitality etc. He is the Chairman, Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Council (YOCRC), Chairman, Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) and a one-time Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas.
At 72, his life has not been without a few battles. One of such battles was his ascendancy to the throne which came to fruition via a court ruling after several years of legal dispute.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
