Introduction: Without an element of a doubt in my mind, the year 2025 is for our Great Alma Mater, what would be referred to in Latin as “Pro Dignitate Regali” (The Year of Royal Dignities). The last few weeks have witnessed an alumnus of Idi Araba, the Alaafin-Elect Owoade, being paraded all over the world as the latest to sit on the stool of the legends, becoming the 45th Alaafin of Oyo. Today, we look at the storied life of a great monarch, the Aare of Ago-Aare, His Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi Dr. Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola, the Aare of Ago-Are. I have borrowed the caption “First in war, first in peace, first in the heart of his people” from the praise chant for George Washington, the first President of the United States. Of course, our POW may not be the first Oba in Ago-Are, but, as we will soon find out, he would be the first of many things in the monarchical history of our nation.
A Man of Letters: Finding out about Kabiyesi was not a difficult assignment for me. He is a public figure. It was easy to call on his old places of work to substantiate information about him, and it was with ease that I was able to access on-line archives. FaceBook entries abound on the monarch and so, much of the information here is based on paraphrases, cut and paste, and direct citings of such provisions. There is so much to read about the life of our POW today, but I will reduce everything to a brief reflection. A few notable things to be mentioned about Kabiyesi include the following facts:
1. It was during his reign that Oduro, the Baton of the Field Marshall, the Ancestral War Staff of the Kakanfo (the Warlord) was unearthed after 80 years of its sudden disappearance;
2. He would be the first Yoruba monarch to earn an academic Ph.D degree in an academic discipline (and I say this, knowing a number of Yoruba Obas with doctorate degrees, two of whom I am quite close to – the Orangun of Oke-Ila and the Olufi of Gbongan). The title of Dr. Kofoworola’s Ph.D thesis is, “The Perception of the Managerial Effectiveness of Vice-Chancellors by the Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities.” If this Ph.D write-up were to be published as a book, I can predict that it would be a best-seller because of its currency and relevancy. I hope our POW considers that option down the road;
3. Our POW served as a meritorious career civil servant at the federal level, attaining a notable but unprecedented career zenith of a Director;
4. He would stand as the first pupil in Ago-Are to break the jinx of direct admission from Primary to Secondary School, instead of Primary to Modern School; which was the most common as of his time;
5. As earlier noted, he is the very first NERDC staff to get accelerated promotion due to his stellar performance, dedication to duties and exemplary character in 1983, and has been the lone person on that honorable achievement to-date;
6. He is snugly connected to many citizens of his town of rulership and has maintained such relationship consistently; and
7. My favorite part of the Royal Father’s history is the path to his ascendancy to the throne. He certainly would never have become the ruling monarch of Ago-Are, but his father, a High Prince contested to be the Oba some four decades earlier but did not win the stool. Instead of belly-aching, disloyal and mutinous, the dignified high prince came down and served as the secretary to the lucky one, who reigned for 39 years. It was after him that the current Kabiyesi, our POW, ascended the throne. That is a classical demonstration of Oliver Goldsmith’s “He Stoops to Conquer” or what an elderly theologian-friend called condescension that brings redemption, and certainly, his ascendancy to the throne is of a high-magnitude historical proportion.
Where it All Began: Here is a brief history of the monarch, The Aare of Ago-Are Dr Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola (PhD, FCAI, MNIM). Dr. Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola hails from Ago-Are town in Atisbo LGA of Oyo State. He was born on 1st January, 1959 into the family of Prince & Mrs. Emmanuel Oyebanji Kofoworola, both of blessed memories. For those who may not know, Ago-Are is a settlement of fearless Yoruba warriors. One of the most renown authorities on Old Oyo/Oyo North/Ibariba history is an alumnus of our great School, Dr. Julius Adekunle – a celebrated professor of history at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA. He can affirm that both Ibadan and Ago-Are share something in common – they are both 19th century settlements of heroic warriors, revered for their relentlessly fierce warfarism and territorial expansionism. It is from this gallant but noble historical background that our POW emerged.
Education: He had his primary education at Baptist primary school, Ago-Are between 1966 and 1971 and proceeded to Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1976. He taught briefly as a schoolteacher in 1977. In 1978, he obtained a Teachers Grade II Certificate from the Divisional Teachers Training College, Ipetumodu, Osun State. In his quest for knowledge, he furthered his education at the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) for his first degree and University of Ilorin for his Masters’ degree in Education with a Second Class Upper Division and M.Ed. Degree in Educational Administration & Planning in 1984 and 1987 respectively. He went further to obtain his Ph.D in Educational Administration & Planning from the University of Abuja in 2006, where my good friend, Professor, Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah (a mentee of our late Dr. Bayo Ogunjimi) was Vice-Chancellor until 2023.
Our POW is an astute administrator, management expert and a passionate lover of Education who has been contributing his quota to the growth and development of education for a long time. Our POW is also a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria and an active member of many other recognized national and international professional bodies.
Public Service: Kabiyesi joined the Services of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) in January 1988 as an Administrative Officer I and rose through the ranks by dint of hard work to become the Director, General Services Department. His hard work, resilience and commitment to service earned him accelerated promotion in the Service of the Council, the very first time in the history of NERDC for such a development.
It would amount to gross oversight not to mention the fact that in 2013, our POW served as the Secretary to the high-level National Committee on the review of the old National Policy of Education that resulted in the new National Policy on Efucation. In 2011, he chaired the local organizing committee on Sustainable Growth and Development in West Africa sub-region for Anglophone and Francophone countries. He led the Nigerian delegation to the UNESCO conference in Paris to present the Nigeria position at the conference. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Yoruba Oba’s Forum.
Wisdom Speaks: In one of his many interviews, the super intelligent and sagacious monarch made it clear that, “. . .I am a royal father who must be guided by high level of restraint on public matters. I won’t say anything that has to do with politics.” (The Tribune, October 27, 2018). How many of our royal personalities could say this today? Not many!
A Goodly Heritage with Positive Historical Ramifications: On what actually gave him the edge over other contestants, as I earlier noted, he said “All I can say is that it was destined that I would be the next Aare after my predecessor had reigned for 39 years and nine months. … I was persuaded by my family at a family meeting headed by the Oloriebi. We held five meetings. It is destiny and nothing more. The more reason it is destiny is that my father contested against my predecessor and could not make it. After my predecessor emerged, my father served as his first secretary to show you the kind of love we have for the town. If you can deduce that nature promoted me to the throne, you may be right.”
Speaking on the historical connection between Ago-Are and Oyo, Kabiyesi said the people of the town still have a good relationship with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi. “There is no basis for doubting our cordial relationship with Oyo. The Alaafin is a father whom we respect as custom and tradition demand from us.” From: Inside Oyo, October 18, 2017.
Being an integral part of the Oyo extraction of the Yoruba race, the present day Ago-Are was founded by the first monarch, Aare Olaniya in 1868.
The interview with Kabiyesi continues below:
Which local government is Ago-Are?
Situated in Atisbo Local Government, Oke-Ogun, Northern part of Oyo State in Western Nigeria; Ago-Are was coined from the Aare chieftaincy title.
Linguistically, and according to customary usages, “AGO” means a settlement or a town while “AARE” on the other hand is the shortened form of “Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba nation and it translates to mean the Supreme War Chief/Commander or the Generalissimo of Yorubaland. Hence, Ago-Are implies the town of the supreme war commanders.
History has it that the Aare fore-bearers bore the monarchical title of “Ekeje” and not “Aare” until when the last bearer of the title, Ekeje Akinoso Oluwonde Alao Sao, a warrior of note and gallant combatant, rescued the Old Oyo Empire when it was literarily brought to its knee by the Prime Minister of the empire at that time, Bashorun Olapeto nicknamed Bashorun Gaa, who infamously usurped the power and authority of Alaafin Abiodun Adegoolu.
How was the name Ago-Are formed?
In the fierce and heroic military campaign, Ekeje Oluwonde Alao Sao (son of Ajibesin Adensile, an Ikole-Ekiti Prince who had earlier migrated to Onko province of the old Oyo Empire) ousted the Bashorun Gaa and the host of his rebel forces across the empire. As a result of the military accomplishment, Alaafin Abiodun Adegoolu rewarded the heroic exploits, popularity, courage and carriage of Ekeje Akinoso Oluwonde Alao Sao and installed him as the Third Aare Onakakanfo in the history of Yoruba land.
With that, the monarchical title of Ekeje gave way for the more popular, distinguished and superior Aare, the shortened form of Aare Onakakanfo. Hence, the name of the town, Ago-Aare (Settlement of the Aare Onakakanfo).
What is Ago-Are known for?
Ago-Are is known for its core values which are based on integrity, loyalty and hospitality. The natives exhibit good respect and care for the strangers. They also cherish the reputation of their progenitors. This accounts for the choice of Ago-Are as site for the residence and operating headquarters of the officials of British American Tobacco Company as far back as 1940 among other reputable organisations. The basic norms within the community revolve around respect: respect for the constituted authorities, leadership, the elders, one another as well as self. Arrogance is abhorred to a great extent.
Who is the Kabiyesi of Ago-Are?
Our POW became the Aare of Ago-Are on January 13, 2016 and was officially coronated by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Thursday, March 24, 2016.
What is the major occupation of the people of Ago-Are?
The pre-dominant occupation in the town is agriculture, particularly of perennial crops (Cashew, Shear butter, Tobacco). Cash crops (Yam, Cassava, Maize, Guinea corn, etc.) as well as animal husbandry and poultry farming are all a part of the people’s vocations. The town is surrounded by a vast terrain of savanna vegetation with favorable climate for all sorts of perennial cropping and livestock breeding. Agro-processing, Agro-allied trading activities as well as transportation, craftsmanship and artisanship are common ventures with the Ago-Aare youths, male and female.
Is there a connection between Christianity and evolution of Western education in Ago-Are community?
It has been said that there is a connection between Christianity and evolution of Western education in Ago-Are community. The First Baptist Church in Ago-Are was undoubtedly the harbinger of Western education in the community. As the founder and proprietor of the foremost primary school, First Baptist Day School, Ago-Are instituted in 15th February, 1937 – now First Baptist Primary School, Ago-Are and the defunct Baptist Modern Secondary School established in 1963, currently Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ago-Are (BASEGA); the church closed the gate of ignorance and opened the heart of the residents in the community to awareness and knowledge of Western learning. Without a doubt, the church laid a formidable foundation for education to be well-grounded in the community and by that, it is unlikely to find a house unit without at least a graduate in Ago-Are community.
Are there Public institutions in Ago-Are?
Today, Ago-Are has grown to become the abode of a good number of public institutions which include: the headquarters, ATISBO South Local Council Development Area, Chief Magistrate Court, Oyo State Ministry of Health (General Hospital, Ago-Are), Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development (Cattle Control Post and Kraal Market), The Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Squadron 72, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (Distance Learning Centre), to mention but a few.
Are there notable people from Ago-Are?
Ago-Are is known for being blessed with many successful citizens, and they are hundreds in number. Below are just a few of the sons and daughters from the town:
i. Aare Oluwonde Alao Sao (the third Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba nation who was erroneously addressed as Oyabi in Jonhson’s account of History of Yoruba. He is the first ruler of the town to be addressed as an Aare.
ii. His Royal Majesty, Aare Alawo-Ekun, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla Ph. D, fcai, The Aare and Paramount Ruler of Ago-Are & Chairman, Atisbo Local Government Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs; Director (rtd) of Human Resource, National Education Research Development Council, NERDC, Sheda, Abuja.
iii. Dr. Zacheous Olusegun Ajuwon, Ex-Personal Physician to the Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Chief Medical Director (rtd), National Hospital, Abuja; The Chairman, Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF).
iv. Mr. Timothy Ade Ojeleye, Former Managing Director, Steyr Nigeria Ltd, Lagos; Chief Executive Officer, Pericom.
v. Mr. Caleb A. Olaayan, Former Managing Director, Union Bank.
vi. Mrs. Titilayo Salami Adebisi, Founder, Onik Clinical Nursing Workshop; Advanced Nurse Educator, USA. The Administrator, Ago-Are Indigenes Forum (AAI)
vii. Dr. Deborah Nike Abiola, Doctor of Nursing Practice, United State
viii. Hon. Ayobami Ojo, Former House of Assembly Member (Atisbo/Saki East State Constituency), The Proprietor/CEO Joybam Hotels and Event Centre, New Garage, Challenge, Ibadan.
ix. Hon. Jacob Funmi Ogunmola, The Proprietor/CEO, Glass House Hotels and Event Centre, Abule-Egba, Lagos.
x. Alh. Akeem A. Adesina, General Manager, Bank of Industry, Marina, Lagos.
xi. Engnr. Gbenga Adegbiji GMD, MainOne, Victoria Island, Lagos.
xii. Mr. Kehinde Olatunde, Chief Executive Officer, Nikentolad, Ikeja, Lagos.
xiii. Dr. Seidu Bello, National Hospital, Abuja.
xiv. Prof. Adesoji E. Awoyemi, Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan.
xv. Prof. Kola Adekunle, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
xvi. Prof. Olalekan E. Ojedokun, Institute of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
xvii. Prof. John Olukunle, Faculty of Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure.
xviii. Prof. Ademola Ajuwon, Formers Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
xix. Hon. Kehinde Adesiyan, Former Honourable Member Representing Saki East/Saki West/Atisbo Federal Constituency, House of Representative, Abuja.
xx. Hon. Makanjuola Ayoola, Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State
Family: Kabiyesi is happily married to Queen Nike Kofoworola and their marriage is blessed with three children.
Song of Praise: Our POW is an active member of his First Baptist Church. I just can’t imagine a more fitting and befitting song for our Royal Father than the song that we grew up to sing to a foreign king, but which we have now adapted and adopted for our own Kabiyesi, “K’Ọ́lọ́run D’Ọ́ba Sí . . .”
And so, today, we have chosen as our POW, a man of respect, dignity, letters, a First Class Yoruba Ọba, highly educated, and highly performing, His Royal Majesty Kabiyesi Dr. Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola, the Aare of Ago-Are.
We, members of your Alma Mater, Baptist High School, Saki greet you. We bow down in humble adoration to your Royal Majesty, and we say in an undoubtable term, Long may you live! Peaceful may your time be.
Congratulations, Sir!
– Prof Afolayan
Kaaaaaaabiyesi o, kade pe lori, ki bata pe lese, irukere yo wa di okinni(abere)
I was fortunate to be part of ”73 SURVIVORS of BHS who paid courtesy visit to Kabiyesi at his personal residence in Ago-Aare during our 50th anniversary in July 2023, and we have a warm reception that day
I congratulate our POW on your well-deserved honour. May your reign be long, peaceful, and bring a lot of developments to the town
Kaaaaaaabiyesi o
– Dn Adebayo Ebenezer A.
Wao! What a Monarchical POW!! Nice one, timely. Congratulations Kabiesi on your awesome pick as the Person of the Week of our prestigious Platform. K’ade Pe Lori, Bata a pe lese o IJMN.
– Mr Sunday Adegbola
Congratulations to the Aare of Ago Are the First Elite highly well read King in Oke Ogun and Ago Are in particular.
Ago Are citizens are so friendly and accommodating that a stranger will easily forget his home town when you stay in the town for just a Month.
As at the time The Great Papa Kofoworola, the Father to the present Oba was acting as the Community Leader, I used to think that he was more popular than the reigning Aare.
Yet the old man was so humble in his approach to Community and Religious Service in the Church.
Congratulations to the Family and the Great Father’s prayers of
“Olorun je ki awon Omo wa ju wa lo”/ May God makes our children to be Greater than us.
Kaabiyesi, ki Ade pe Lori, ki Bata pe lese Oba Abodunrin Kofoworola, the Aare of Ago Are, Oke Ogun, Oyo State Nigeria.our POW.
Needless to thank our learned Professor again, You deserve More than Thanks. God bless your brain, fingers and biros.
– Dn. S.O Olujimi
While copiously appreciating Prof Dejo Afolayan for never disappointing us on this Forum in exposition of encouraging and rich values over the years, we all honour and chorus Kabiyesi oooooo to our cerebral and regal Oba of reputable standard, who represents us and his community with dignity, Kabiyesi Oba Abodunrin Kofoworola, Olakanla II, The Aare of Agoare. K’ade pe lori. Ki bata pe l’ese. Igba odun, odun kan o.
We’re all proud of you for the dignity you’ve brought to royalty in Okeogun and indeed Yorubaland in general. Your generations shall multiply exponentially in Jesus name.
We’re happy welcoming you on board as our current POW, Kabiyesi. Blessed shall continue to be your reign. Congratulations sir. Ori idobale l’awa o!
– Dn. Sola Togunde
Congratulations Kabiyesi,our POW.Prof.said a lot about our Kabiyesi.
I pray your reign as Oba will continue to be peaceful and progressive.
Kade pe lori o,ki bata pe lese, esin Oba o jeko pe o.
– Robert Adetola
Kabeyesi o congratulations more win and Greater height IJN Remain Bless Sir. One of 73 set that visit you on our anniversary and collect your number I call you afterwards but didn’t pick.
– Omotayo Amao
Kabiyesi o. Kade pe Lori, ki bata pe lese. Congratulations for being chosen as our POW this week. May it propel you to more wins.
Thanks to Prof. Afolayan for the research and presentation.
GLORIA SEMPER DEO.
– Olurotimi Agboola
Congratulations to you “ỌBA ABỌ́DÚNRÌN OYÈTÚNJÍ KÒFÓWÓRỌLÁ” for being selected as our POW,. Professor Dẹ̀jọ Afọláyan had gone into the archive to actually reflect who you are.
The 1976 set of our great school “B H S ÌDÍ ÀRÀBÀ, SAKÍ” is always proud of you for setting the pace for other Monarchs to follow.
There is no doubt that as you have started on a very sound footing & solid foundation, you will continue to excel among other monarchs not only in Nigeria but a cross the globe.
Ọba Abọ́dúnrìn Kòfówórọlá,
Kí adé kó pẹ́ lórí,
Kí bàtà pẹ́ lẹ́sẹ̀
Kí ẹșin Ọba jẹko pẹ́,
Kí ìrùkẹ̀rẹ̀ do kinni,
Bí àfọ̀n bá gbó,
Ni àfọ̀n ọ́n tóó wọ̀,
Ìwọ wọn lẹ ó jọọ
Tẹ ilẹ̀ yìí pẹ́
Once again, Congratulations.
– Dn. M.K Ogunkunle
Congratulations and Kaaaaaabiyesi Aare of Agoare Oba ABODUNRIN OYETUNJI KOFOWOROLA for being selected as POW this week.
Some of us ’73 SURVIVORS appreciated you so much for welcoming and hosting us when we paid courtesy visit to you during our 50th Anniversary in 2023 in your Palace at Agoare. Your humility is second to none.
God will give you Wisdom to successfully administer the town well in Jesus Christ Mighty Name
You deserved the accolades showered on you. May your reign be Peaceful and be long.
KAAAAABIYESI.
– Sunday Durojaye
Congratulations to Kabiyesi Dr Michael Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola, Aare Alawo-Ekun Ilufemiloye Olakanla II the Aare of Ago Are kingdom, for being our POW. Your academic and administrative excellence speak volume. Since your reign since 9 years ago Ago Are has witnessed monumental success. This achievements are by the very grace of God and for he is the one crowning your efforts with success. No doubt we Ago Are indigenes are blessed to have you as our paramount ruler. Dejo has really captured your profile so well. Thank you Dejo for this historical facts. You are appreciated. Kabiyesi Continue to enjoy the grace of God in your life. May your reign continue to be peaceful.
– Ade Ojeleye
We,Set ’76 express our sincere gratitude for picking one of us as a personality of the week. Congratulations to Oba Dr.Abodunrin Kofoworola ,Are Alawo – Ekun,Ilufemiloye Olakanla 11,the Are of Ago-Are kingdom. Igba odun, odun kan ni.
Ki ade pe lori, ki bata pe lese.
– Akano Matthew Olufemi
Kabiyesi CONGRATULATIONS on being chosen as our POW for this week.We thank God for what He has made you to achieve in life.He will continue to empower you to do more exploit for His glory in Jesus mighty name. GLORIA SEMPER DEO.
– Tinuoye Charlotte
Kabiyesi o! Kabiyesi o!!
Kabiyesi o!!! Congratulations to His Royal Majesty, Aare Alawoekun Oba Bodunrin Kofoworola, the distinguished paramount ruler, Aare of Ago-Are, for being recognised as our current POW.
As the number one citizen of Ago-Are and all beacon of leadership, your reign has brought visible and accelerated development to our beloved Ago-Are, leaving an enduring legacy of growth and progress.
Long may you reign.
Your exemplary dedication, respectability, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire many.
This recognition is a testament to your vision, wisdom, and unwavering service to us, your people. May your reign continue to shine as a symbol of hope and prosperity.
Once again, congratulations, Your Majesty.
NB: Professor Afolayan, thanks so much for the write-up that showcased not only our Kabiyesi but also our dear motherland, Ago-Are.
More strength, bro/friend
– Adeolu Popoola
A big congratulations to our king on focus for the week. Your choice as the person of the week is not an error. The Lord will satisfy you with good health and peace of mind in Jesus mighty name.
– Sunday Adesola
Kaaaaaaaaabiyesi o ! Congratulations on your choice as the POW of this platform. Kabiyesi is one of our BHS Seniors of repute and a close friend of my late cousin ( Bros Kay ).
I wish you more meaningful “firsts” now and the nearest future in Jesus name.
– Biodun Oladeji
Congratulations,Kabiyesi on this well merited honour.Your reign shall be long and eventful in the annals of kingship of Ago Are.Since your coronation and introduction to me by my niece ,Mrs Hannah Ogunesan,it has always been my joy whenever I meet you,because you radiate humility and candour. You have always dressed immaculately to command the royalty of your position as a front line Oba in yorubaland.Kabiyesi,your shadow shall never grow less.
-Anonymous