At 90 years and with his life of fulfilments in his flourishing betting and game enterprise, the Premier Lotto Limited, and other very profitable business concerns, all the approachable Sir Dr Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu needs more is a life tucked away from public engagements, especially controversial issues.
He has practically seen it all as a society man, a member of different elite clubs and an all-time philantrophist. He is said to have just donated a N5.2 billion research centre to the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos and, in addition, given N4 billion to four local government councils in his Ogun State commemorative of his 90th birthday.
The multi-billionare is naturally expected to be gradually winding down, looking forward to a reunion with his creator who has blessed him with longevity, sound health and grace of abundant wealth that can last generation of his great-grandchildren.
Yet, he felt it would be unfair for him to still stand in the market and watch head of a new born baby going defective. He must have been embarrassed, scandalised and fed up with the needless feud between two foremost traditional rulers in Yorubaland. That is, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, both of whom were at best related with each other like cat and mouse at the detriment of Yoruba race.
During the kabiyesis show of ego and threat of fire and brimstone, youths on social media freely spat at them and their palaces, a sacrilegious act to the stool and most importantly to the traditional institution, custodian of which they are.
Dr Lasisi Olagunju, a Nigerian Tribune columnist, was provoked at a point and wished, in his ‘Monday Line’ published on May 26, 2025, he had the constitutional power, he would proscribe the Council of Obas and Chief. In view of the monarchs unpleasant exchanges, Olagunju dismised the royal fathers, saying “Beyond being symbol of communal unity and cultural pride, the political power of Oba are in the graveyard of history.”
Adebutu, TheTabloid.net gathered, was in far away the UK when the royal rumble issue showed an alarming sign of degeneration and likely destruction of Yoruba unity. He was said to have wasted no time and reached out to the traditional rulers, preaching peace and equally expressing his intention to end the rift because growth and further development of the Yoruba race sit permanently on his heart.
It was learnt that Adebutu, the Odole-Oodua, the title conferred on him by the Ooni on October 19, 2019, has always committed himself and resources to the progress of Yoruba in his donations of projects
to all universities in the South-west except the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. However, in a recent interview, he revealed, “I plan to call the Vice-chancellor and ask him of how I can be of help. I have touched almost every other university; so, I want to do that as well.”
His the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF) has been evidentially impactful and an inspiring compliment to government social services responsibility.
While our correspondent could not ascertain details which actually went into preparation for the peace meeting, in terms of logistics, it was learnt that Baba Ijebu, as Adebutu is fondly called as the first man to invest in betting business with his face-to-face Pools registered in 1971 in partnership with late Chief Adebayo Ayoku, was determined to ensure the monarchs see reasons they needed to bury the hatchet and play their respective role as principal royal fathers in Yorubaland, hence his invitations to other respected traditional rulers and Yoruba leaders to serve as witnesses to the historic reconciliation of the two big masquerades.
His choice venue for the historic meeting was not his Iperu-remo or Lagos residence but the Signature Building of the elitist Eko Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos State. Dateline: October 25, 2025.
Being Adebutu’s 90th birthday celebration atmosphere, attendees at the meeting wore bright faces, indicating their optimism that the elusive peace was a matter of hours. And so it was as the Ooni and the Alaafin warmly embraced what is called spirit of commitment to peace, unity, and progress of the Yorubas at home and in the diaspora after the deliberation.
In unison, they agreed to the following as issued by Secretary Communique Drafting Committee, Dr Kola Oyefeso: (1) sustainance of continuous dialogue and collaboration between the two ancient thrones of Ife and Oyo. (2) Establishment of a Joint Council of Yoruba Unity to promote peacebuilding, cultural preservation, and socioeconomic development across Yorubaland. (3) Encouragement of all Yoruba traditional rulers and leaders to emulate this spirit of togetherness for the collective progress of the Yoruba nation. (4) Appeal to Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide to embrace unity and work collectively for the advancement of their homeland.
The royal fathers prayed for enduring peace, prosperity, and divine guidance for Yorubaland, Nigeria, and the African continent at large.
The historic meeting concluded with an exchange of goodwill and royal blessings, symbolizing a new dawn of fraternity and cooperation between the two revered thrones.
One good turn, they say, deserves another, the Federal Government of Nigeria recognised Adebutu’s contributions beyond Yorubaland and conferred on him the second highest national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) presented to him by Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. Adebutu had earlier bagged the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Echos of Yoruba unity resonated in Akure, the Ondo State capital during the week at a summit tagged South-west Stakeholders Dialogue where the Yorubas charged themselves to lead Nigeria’s renewal, through unity, shared vision, and real collaboration across our states and communities.
Co-chairman of the summit, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu remarked, “The South-West can, and must, lead Nigeria’s rebirth. The spirit of innovation and courage that shaped our past still lives in us today and together, we will rise to this moment.”
Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum and member of the Afenifere Elders Council, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, in his speech, appreciated South-west governors for the dialogue which he described as “a veritable means of re-energising our region.”
How the Ooni and the Alaafin are going to tame their respective social media combatants who seem to derive joy in stirring controversies remains an important part of this reconciliation towards an enduring peace dreamt by Adebutu.
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