The 13th Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, before his ascension to his forebears’ throne had been contributing towards the development of Kuta town. Since becoming king 11 years ago, his topmost priority has remained the development of Kuta town. Oba Makama, the chairman of the Supreme Council of Owu Obas and Chiefs in Yoruba land declared in this interview with the Editor, FOLORUNSHO HAMSAT, that his vision to see the ancient community developed to a global village is unchanging, with all the amenities in modern cities one find across the globe. Apart from being the Kuta king, Oba Makama says his responsibilities include seeing to the day-to-day running of Owu towns across Yoruba land. Read on…
Your people say that since kings have been crowned in Kuta kingdom, none had ever been as busy as you are with hosting events and bringing influential visitors from outside and attracting developments. What do you have to say?
To the glory of God, I would say it is not magic. It is through determination. Since our enthronement, we have been making impacts and God has been making it so easy and possible for us. And we are determined to continue in that path.
It has been close to 11 years that you were enthroned; and there have been many developments to show for it. In the last two years, what were the new achievements that the Kuta kingdom has witnessed?
There have been other developments. There is ongoing major road construction. There are the street lights lining up the Kuta kingdom streets, courtesy one of our illustrious sons, Hon. Yinusa Akintola Amobi, a former member of the House of Representatives representing Aiyedire, Iwo and Olaoluwa federal constituency. The roads and the street lights were his constituency projects. Despite the fact that he did not return to office, he is still patriotic enough not to have diverted the money for frivolities. There have been a lot of power transformers, we have upgraded many schools and many were built. In the last two years, we have successfully influenced the appointment of indigent youths into various federal establishments.
You are one of the modern day traditional rulers that move about in entourage with fellow monarchs. Is this a practice you started promoting when you became king or it is your natural habit?
Although I cultivate friendship a lot, the style is something I copied from the late Ooni of Ife, our father the Ooni Sijuwade Olubuse. He loved going out with fellow kings. You would notice that the present Ooni of Ife, the dynamic and focused Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja is also using the same style.
Tell us about your relationship with other Yoruba kings.
I am always one with fellow kings, whether in Yorubaland or elsewhere. There is mutual respect between us. It does not matter who is senior in age or rank, I endeavor to promote unity among us and bring us together. Those who knew me before I was crowned can say much about this. I was always with friends in the entourage.
One other quality people say you have is loyalty to friendship. Is that natural too?
Yes. From my youth, I have cherished loyalty. But I would give credence to my mentor, the former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida. He taught me loyalty in actuality. So, my loyalty to friendship is not in doubt. I value loyalty so much; I am so tenacious about loyalty to the extent that I do not lose friends, except someone will lose me. My loyalty is pure and straightforward; I detest deceit, I hate pretense and I don’t lie.
You do say that anybody who would merit a chieftaincy title from your kingdom must have some qualities. What are these qualities?
That is correct. I am not frivolous with chieftaincy titles. We don’t just give anyone, anyhow. We are not so particular about money. I can count, in the last 11 years, how many chieftaincy tiles I gave to people. It is not the same with some kingdoms. Most kings would see it as an avenue to make millions; I don’t see it that way. Whoever is taking a chieftaincy title from us, we have to look at the pedigree; the person has to merit it. The person has to be noble and the pedigree has to be impeccable. We give titles to persons of quality character.
We have observed that you give out a lot to your subjects. You organize events regularly where you give them cash, tools and empower them. Is it not supposed to be the other way round where the subjects give to their kings?
That has always been my nature. I do it not because I have. Even when I don’t have any and people are around me in need, I borrow to give them. I don’t nurse the ambition of becoming a Dangote. I have the ambition to live and let live. I want everybody around me to be happy. Most times, when I give to people I exhaust everything I have, forgetting that I have obligations as a father to my children. But I don’t regret it. I thank God for it.
People would ask if you have businesses that fund you because you give out so much. How do you react?
I have been a successful businessman before I was crowned a king. I have two companies. I have a construction company and a general services firm. I have been a contractor ever before I became a king. These businesses are still functioning successfully.
You recently had the Owu indigeneship convention. Tell us about it.
Yes. We are there and very united; the Supreme Royal Council of Owu. We just lost our president who was the former Governor of Ondo State, the retired General Ekundayo Opaleye. He was the Balogun of Erunmu Owu. We just held our annual national convention in Ijebu-Igbo on December 15 and 16, 2023 where Senator Olalekan Mustapha hosted us. He is an illustrious son of Owu. It was a convergence of Owu sons and daughters. We moved it to Ijebu Igbo this year to encourage our kith and kin.
Kabiyesi, why do you think there seems to be contempt by the political leadership to the traditional institution in Nigeria? It is being said that political leaders don’t give due respect to traditional rulers.
This is happening because there are no constitutional roles for the traditional rulers. That is the missing link. We have to restructure our cultural values. If our local languages are being taught at all institutions, there’s no way our values and ethics will erode. Look at China for instance; chemistry is being interpreted in Chinese language and China is producing the best scientists. France is also producing the best scientists because they are using their language to teach their children in biology and chemistry. But in Nigeria, the only thing we translate in our language are the Qur’an and Bible.
So, what is the solution to that?
We just have to work on that aspect of our culture. If our cultural values are not being eroded, the highest political office is the office of the president; for example, a Yoruba man is the president of Nigeria now. He knows that back home, his traditional ruler is his natural ruler and father. He will pay obeisance. But in the constitutional democracy that we currently practise, the chairman of a local government or councilor is recognized before a king. You cannot fight it; it is what it is. So, I would recommend a political amendment. Our political sons and daughters should always remember whose children they are.
You are a known advocate of the youth; what is your advice for them?
Our youths should strive to be catalysts of development. They should be patriotic in all they do and they should endeavor to live above board.
What is your honest fear about life?
Well, I have fear about how things are going globally and domestically in our dear nation, Nigeria. Our leaders should govern with the fear of God. I am afraid of the youth uprising. I know that the government is not bereft of ideas. All they need to do is the political will to implement those ideas that will be of benefit to the youths and Nigerians in general. If they can surmount the political will to implement those ideas, we can successfully check our fears before they materialize. Our youths should be given their rightful place. The social register should be done in a way that would take care of the youths’ restiveness. Let there be functional systems. I have faith in the country. This country will be fine.
