Her Royal Majesty, the Regent of Akure kingdom in Ondo State, Dr. Mrs. Adetutu Adesida-Ojei has said that even her husband calls her, “Kabiyesi,” as a sign of respect for the throne and in recognition of her current status.
The Regent stated this when a team from National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) South-West Zonal Office paid her a courtesy visit at the palace, Friday, February 14, 2014, to commiserate with the entire royal family on the passing on of Oba Adebiyi Adesida; and also to intimate the Regent on the Institute’s presence in Akure and its activities in the zone since its establishment in 2009.
The monarch expressed satisfaction with the team’s visit, just as she thanked them for the show of love, appreciating and praying God to grant NICO more grace and enablement to work towards upholding Nigeria’s culture, and adding that Yoruba culture is one of the richest cultures in Nigeria.
Earlier in his address, the NICO South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Ohi Ojo said the essence of the visit was to congratulate the Regent on her ascension to the throne of her fore-fathers and introduce the Zonal Office of the Institute, which covers Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo States with the zonal head office in Akure, Ondo Sate.
While conveying the condolence message of the Institute, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, the Zonal Coordinator informed the Regent that NICO has the mandate to promote and preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage, recalling that the Institute had had a very good working relationship with the late monarch, her father.
The visit to the palace gave NICO staffers the opportunity to have firsthand information on the regency stool during an interview with the new regent and other prominent chiefs-in-council, who were around to throw more light on questions regarding the enthronement of the regent.
During the interview session with Nico news, the Regent disclosed that some of the challenges of regency include the inability to attend Council of Obas meeting, as well as missing her private life.
According to her, as a public figure, any issue concerning her is brought to the public domain, but acknowledged that the challenges were not insurmountable as members of her Council of Chiefs were always there to offer advice and suggestions when necessary.
When asked further if her marital status posed any challenge to her performance, the Regent stated emphatically that though she is married to a non-indigene, there was already a mutual understanding with her husband, Mr. Dike Ojei, an indigene of Delta State, before they were married, adding: “I already told him that I was a princess and that there is a possibility of me becoming a Regent someday; so, there isn’t much challenge. When he comes here, he will address me as, Kabiyesi, because when I am on the throne, he is assumed to be like one of my subjects. In fact, each time we talk on phone, he addresses me as, Kabiyesi.”
On hand to receive the NICO team were High Chief Oloyede, High Chief Rotimi Olusanya, High Chief Elerikan, High Chief Olusoga, the Lisa of Akure Kingdom and other palace chiefs.
It would be recalled that Dr. Mrs. Adetutu Adesida was made the regent of Akure kingdom on the 29th of December, 2013, after her father, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adebiyi Adesida joined his ancestors on the 1st of December, 2013.
In the entourage of the Zonal Head were Head, Admin & Human Resources, Mrs. Adesuwa Eze; Head, Budget, Mrs. Funlola Owan; Head, Orientation & Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Ruth Oyenekan; Personal Assistant to the Zonal Head, Mrs. Ogechukwu Nwokorie; Head, Research & Documentation, Mr. Chris Sodje; Head, Audit, Mr. Mohammed Babangida; Head, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ogaga Anakpoha; and Head, Finance & Accounts, Mr. Sola Idris.
Dupe Oyelami
Corporate Affairs, NICO SWZ