History was made on Saturday, 8th May, 2004, when His Royal Highness, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba, ascended the throne as the 5th Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye.
Oba Adenugba was born on 3rd February, 1956, to the family of Omooba Disu Adenugba of the royal family of Okokodana dynasty of Ago-Iwoye, and Olori Sabitiyu Adeola (Nee Delagunren) of the Paripete royal family of Ago-Iwoye.
His grandfather, Oba Akadi Adenugba, Okokodana Meji I, was the first Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye who ruled from 1931 to 1944.
After the demise of Oba Lateef Adewale, Adan-bi-Ide II, the 4th Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, who joined his ancestors on 17th January, 2002, it was the turn of Okokodana Meji ruling house to present the next Ebumawe to fill the vacant stool.
Oba Adesina Adenugba was then chosen to become the next Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye.
The past sixteen years of Oba Adenugba on the throne have been very eventful, with visible achievements and giant strides dotting the nooks and crannies of Ago-Iwoye.
One of such achievements is the resolution of the leadership crisis in Mamu, a village under Ago-Iwoye town, which for a long time was headed by non-indigene.
When Oba Adenugba came into the saddle, he installed an indigene of Ago-Iwoye as Baale of Mamu, to take charge of the village. Though, some people went up to Appeal Court to challenge the authority of Oba Adenugba, but at the end, Ebumawe won the case.
In his efforts to improve business activities in Ago-Iwoye, Oba Adenugba, a retired banker, has ensured peaceful atmosphere in the town for various businesses to thrive. For instance, businesses such as Hotels, Filling Stations, Quarry Sites, Private Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools are daily springing up in the town to improve commercial activities and also offer employment to indigenes.
In the area of social and community development, the Ebumawe has resuscitated the Regberegbe Age Groups and Clubs which foster the spirit of unity, and engage in healthy competition among themselves in the provision of community development projects.
Oba Adenugba also places high premium on security of lives and properties in the town. To this end, he gives total support in all ramifications to the security agencies and local vigilantes to combat crimes in the town. A reason why peaceful environment is guaranteed in the town.
The monarch is also known to always preach peace, and operate open door policy that gives indigenes free access to him to express their mind on any issue that affects them or the town.
Indeed the unfettered accessibility he created for himself is such that, he relates at formal and informal level with the young and old, as well as the highly and lowly placed people without restriction.
Indeed, the royal father is a blessing to Ago-Iwoye.
Oba Abdul-Razaq Adenugba graduated from University of Lagos, with B. Sc Accounting and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, with MBA.
He had a fulfilling career at United Bank for Africa, where he worked from 1982 to 1996. He rose to become a Senior Manager before he retired.
He has continuously used his rich educational background and corporate experience, coupled with his vast connection with people in high places to attract development to the town.
There is no doubt that Ago-Iwoye has experienced modest facelift since Ebumawe ascended the throne.
As Oba Adesina Adenugba celebrates his 16 years on the throne, he is no doubt leaving his footprints on the sands of time.
