…Installed As The New Asoju Oba of Lagos
…Details of The Week-long Activities
The chairman of Premier Lotto Limited, Chief Kessington Adebukola Adebutu clocked 80 last weekend. The business mogul and philanthropist marked the event in a most elaborate and remarkable way.
Adebutu, financier of the popular Premier Lotto and chairman of the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF), is popularly referred to as ‘Baba Ijebu’, the sobriquet of his lotto (lottery) business. He also celebrated the 10th anniversary of KAAF,
The week long activities climaxed with grand reception on Saturday, October 25, at the Grand Ball Room of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
On the bandstand to entertain the guests was King Sunny Ade. The multi-colour Aso-oke used as the aso-ebi was given out, free to the guests.
The 80th birthday celebration kicked off with a medical outreach programme for the general public. The outreach covered such areas as diagnosis and treatment of Nigerians from all walks of life at the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation headquarters in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State.
On Thursday, Adebutu was installed as the new Asoju Oba of Lagos, by the Oba of Lagos, HRM, Oba Rilwanu Aremu Osuolala Akiolu. He replaced the former Asoju Oba of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, who died last February.
The installation ceremony was graced by the creme-la-creme of the Nigerian social establishment, as well as the family, friends and associates of the philanthropist who thronged the palace of the Oba of Lagos at Iga Idunganran on Lagos Island, venue of the installation.
The Iperu-Remo, Ogun State-born Adebutu informed the gathering that he bagged his first chieftaincy title as Babalaje of Lagos in the same palace 43 years ago. He said though people may be calling him Baba-Ijebu, he is a Lagosian, having lived in the state for 63 years.
Crowning the new Asoju Oba, Oba Akiolu said Adebutu deserved the title because of the impact he had made in people’s lives. “You have impacted on people and someone like you should be celebrated and recognised to encourage other people to emulate philanthropy”, he said.
The head of Lagos traditional white-cap chiefs, Chief Teslim Idowu Junaid-Eko, led the traditional proceedings. Prayers for the new Asoju Oba were led by the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona who also chaired the occasion.
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo and other traditional chiefs said the traditional prayers.
The ceremony was graced by other notable dignitaries including former governors of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Chief Olusegun Osoba as well some politicians and celebrities.
On Friday, the October 23, there was a special promotion by Premier Lotto, during which various prizes were distributed to loyal customers and the general public. Eight brand new cars and other high-value gifts items that were won during the event.
At the grand finale of the birthday celebration the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor led over 45 lawmakers to honour their colleague, Oladipupo Adebutu, the first son of the celebrant.
The ocassion which caused heavy traffic gridlock on the Lagos Island was well attended by the cream of the society including, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, House Leader, Femi Gbajiabiamilla, former Ogun State Governor Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Mamora, former IGP Mr. Musiliu Smith, Dr Kayode Fayemi and many others.