One of the most recognized Yoruba monarchs in Ondo State, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr.) Lawrence Oluwole Babajide PhD, Bamigbala 1, the Oluoke and Paramount Ruler of Okeigbo Kingdom has joined his ancestors at 92.
The news was made public yesterday Friday 5th May, 2023 at the main market of Okeigbo by Isoros led Pakoyi (Baba Loja) of Okeigbo Kingdom, Chief Akinbobola Adedigbo who officially announced the demise of Oluoke to the Nigerians and beyond.
In accodance to the tradition of Okeigbo, immediately the demise of Oluoke was announced, rituals to enable him have easy passage to his ancestors began.
The departed monarch was the 17th ruler and 6th Oluoke of Okeigbo Kingdom. Precisely on 14th September, 2018, the ever performing governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON officially presented him staff of Office.
According to our impeccable source, Hon. Prince Alexander Omojadegbe, the Director General, Oluoke media, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr.) Lawrence Oluwole Babajide came into this World on the 23rd July, 1931 to the family of Bamigbala Oloyede through Chief Daniel Ayinla Babajide and Madam Omiyeni Onidede Babajide of blessed memories, both of them were from Aare Traditional Ruling Quarter, Okeigbo.
His first chieftaincy title was Bobajiro of Okeigbo before he became the Bashorun of the ancient town and he was the chairman of Okeigbo Central Council (OCC) for many years.
He was noted for his peaceful character, no wonder, on his ascension as the Oluoke of Okeigbo, he quickly constituted reconciliation committee not only to harmonize all the aggrieved parties but to create brand new Okeigbo to the extent that Okeigbo Sons and Daughters in diaspora keep on coming back home to contribute immensely to the development of Okeigbo by erecting magnificent edifice in the town.
To mention few of his achievements, HRM Oba Dr. Lawrence Oluwole Babajide of blessed memory facilitated the construction of kilometers of Okeigbo township roads by the state government and NDDC.
In addition, his timely intervention brought back to life the moribund water corporation in Okeigbo via the state government.
The record before City Movers Magazine revealed that for over ten years, there was no bank in Okeigbo, but through his son a Micro Finance Bank tagged “LOBREM” (Lawrence Olu Babajide Remi) MFB came to the town.
Also, he did not only constitute a well performing committee but led the committee to renovate the damaged and vandalized Police Office. He also ensure that a befitting Office for Okeigbo division of NSCDC was built.
Kabiyesi was a personality who keeps promise, he earlier promised to build a house for God and he fulfilled the promise in the year 2020 when he singlehandedly built an ultra modern hall for Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Okeigbo zone as Secretariat and he contributed immensely to the construction and beatification of his Church, St. James Catholic Church, Okeigbo.
As a great man of God, he was good to all religions, that was why he graciosly supported Muslim faithfuls in Okeigbo to get a new and better Eid Praying Ground.
He was promoted to the rank of first class monarch in the year 2022 by Ondo State government.
Baba worked indefatigably for Okeigbo Kingdom till his last breath on Sunday 30th April, 2023. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
The press statement was made available and signed by the director general of Oluoke media Hon. Alexander Omojadegbe on Friday 5th May, 2023.
