The Alake of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo III, is on a tour of the United States. The tour which began on 10 Saturday 2016, at the north western state Oregon, would continue to other states.
We gathered that the reason the monarch begun his trip at Oregon was to visit members of his family he had not seen in a long time. Also, he was accompanied by Olori Tokunbo Gbadebo (wife), Chief and Chief (Mrs) Odulate and Kufule, the intimate and small travel party suggests that the Alake’s visit to Oregon is more private and informal in nature than it is official. However, the tour would eventually continue to other states.
While in the U.S, the monarch would visit Egba sons and daughters all over the country. This is one visit the Alake and Egbas in the U.S look forward to every three years. Meeting with his subjects in foreign lands is of great importance to the Alake, as it gifts him the opportunity, as the number one Ambassador of Egba culture, to share with the Egba diaspora the progress and strides made under his reign back home, and to show their host the wealth and beauty of Egba culture. After all, he is the Kabiyesi, a father and a ruler.
The Alake is one of the most respected monarchs in Nigeria, because of the historical importance of the Egba throne in Yoruba community and his individual contributions to the society.
Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III (born 14 September 1943) is the current Alake of Egba, a city in Ogun state,Nigeria.He is a grandson of the sixth Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo, who ruled from 1898 to 1920.
Image Credit: Ifelere Adeniji (Exclusive for ASIRI Magazine )
