Behind the Scenes Affairs of Olowu Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama -by Folorunsho Hamsat
It would be repeating the obvious stating that His Royal Majesty Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama Tegbosun III is one of the most enigmatic and colourful monarchs in today’s royalty history. Regal and lively, his ascension to the throne represents a shift in the cultural and social landscape of his birthplace, Owu Kuta, moving it away from the old systems towards a new way of modernity and prosperity.
His golden childhood, spent in the North of Nigeria, indicated showmanship, natural sense of humour and charm, a lifestyle that remained the same until he was crowned. The eleven years of Oba Makama’s reign are marked by a flair for public spectacle, an episode that constantly wins him the affection of the upper class and ordinary people alike and also endears him to the public imagination in a way that very few kings in modern day Nigeria are privileged.
The Olowu of Kuta’s palace is a hub for pleasure, entertainment and free love. In contrast with kingship routine in other climes where palace courtiers have a free reign in vulgarity and promiscuity, Olowu of Kuta’s palace serves uniquely as a social hub for the Owu Kuta indigenes, drawing in men and women even from outside the kingdom, as well as playground of friendly fellow Osun obas, who are joined in celebrating the Owu Kuta’s rich culture and custom. Irrespective of the day within the week, the Palace of Olowu Kuta is full of activities and people come from different walks of life for merrymaking.
To his subjects, Oba Makama demonstrates solidarity and encouragement. On taking the crown as Olowu of Kuta, Oba Makama made it mandatory for successful sons and daughters of Owu Kuta to erect modern buildings in the town, most particularly those who crave chieftainship from his palace. His idea behind this is that rural development is key to a better shared future.
Every man is polygamous by nature. In Oba Makama’s books, a polygamist is not a man that marries more than one wife, but one that has a wife at home and keeps mistresses outside his matrimonial home. With Olowu Kuta’s two beautiful Oloris, marrying more than one wife is an incentive to royalty. To a greater extent, royalty compels the practice.
Has Olowu of Kuta becoming a traditional ruler taken away anything from his normal way of life? Not much. His normal going out, coming in, and the way he does his things, have remained almost the same. Except that he chooses what social parties he attends that befit the status of a royalty. Although he maintains his lifestyle in conformity with the demands of his office as king, his routine stays regular.
Above other tourist destinations abroad, Oba Makama picks France, where one of his Oloris with royal kids are domiciled, for his vacation. He is a lover of art and his status symbolizes tradition, thus France is his first choice for its exquisite historical features.
As chairman of the Supreme Council of Owu Obas and Chiefs in Yoruba land and vice chairman of the Council of Owu Obas, Oba Makama believes that a king does not rest nor go on a sabbatical. Even when he’s out of his domain, his telephone is buzzing 24 hours to attend to crucial needs of his people. An important virtue of every king is faithfulness, humility and accountability, all of which do not lack in Oba Adekunle Makama. Indeed, royalty is natural service to mankind.
-Folorunsho Hamsat is Editor of Global Excellence magazine
