Oba Adenugba and Omooba Ebudola Sulaiman
The palace of Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adesina Adenugba, was agog on Tuesday, 5th December, 2023, when a prominent professional dancer and cultural ambassador, Omooba Ebudola Adesola Sulaiman (Nee Adekoya) was conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Olori Olorisa of Ago-Iwoye.
Great Achiever Magazine reports that Omooba Ebudola Sulaiman was honoured with the title by Oba Adenugba in recognition of her contributions to the uplift of culture and tradition in Ago-Iwoye.
Dignitaries from all walks of life converged on the Ebumawe’s palace to witness the epoch event.
Ebudola, popularly known as Iya Meta, was born in Ago-Iwoye into the family of Late Omooba Hazzan Adekoya (aka Hazzan Olorisa).
She began her dancing career when she was four years old, featuring in her father’s Cultural Troupe, named Oluweri Traditional Naming Ceremony Dance Troupe, in the Western Region in the 1970s.
The group later transformed to Olu Youth Dance Troupe which is now headed and owned by Omooba Ebudola Adesola Sulaiman.
Ebudola had the opportunity of demonstrating her dancing prowess to the outside world when she participated in FESTAC ’77 along with her father’s group.
When Late Chief Hubert Ogunde was saddled with the task of putting together the National Troupe of Nigeria, Ebudola applied for auditioning and was successful.
She became one of the pioneer dancers of the National Troupe of Nigeria in 1989.
Ebudola later left National Troupe to take charge of her father’s group, Oluweri Dance Troupe, Ago-Iwoye, which was representing Ogun State Council for Arts and Culture in all performances throughout the country.
She was invited to join Gateway Dance Company in 2004 and was given the responsibility to teach Ogun State Dancers from her vast experience.
Ebudola, a highly skilful professional dancer has travelled far and wide both nationally and internationally to places like South Africa and other African Countries for performances.
She was called back to National Troupe under Director General Hammed Yerima, to travel to Havana, Cuba, where she displayed her solo dance in Wemilere Festival in 2008 and brought back honour to Nigeria.
Ebudola was engaged on part time basis as Director of Performing Arts in Odun Omo Olowu of Abeokuta under Late Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosumu, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom.
Following the footsteps of her father, Ebudola voluntarily took over the responsibility of monitoring and managing the affairs of traditional worshipers (the Olorisas) in Ago-Iwoye.
In appreciation of her kind gesture, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adenugba, in 2020, made her the head of all traditional worshipers in Ago-Iwoye.
