Oba Kayode Joseph Ogungbohun, a registered nurse, the Agbaigba of Ijake-Oke, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State who ascended the throne from the Isolo Ruling House, sees the Palace as a house of service to his people. In this interview, he says he is on the stool to develop his domain, adding that service and sacrifice are two pillars of his reign. Excerpts:
Kabiyesi, you sound unique in your synopsis of your town, especially your strong emphasis on development. What is the driving force?
I consider this a compliment, but I must say with every sense of responsibility that my life, before I ascended to the throne in February this year, was about service in my little way. I didn’t see life as a place where I would be the only person that would have. I saw life as a place where everyone should have at least basic things to live a meaningful life. Everyone can’t and won’t be millionaire but everyone should live a decent life. That was the mindset I grew with that followed me to the throne.
I have two non-governmental organisations (NGOs). One is Abraham Ajibode Ogungbohun Foundation. The second is Oba Kayode Ogungbohun Noble Heritage Foundation. You can see where I am coming from. Now, I am faced with higher expectations and higher responsibilities as a traditional ruler, I need to increase the pace.
Which town did you meet on your installation, in terms of state of development?
The town I met was a town in need of immediate transformation in different areas. For instance, we depend on drawing water from the Yewa River; I mean a running water. But based on my profession as a public health person, a registered nurse who has practised in Nigeria and outside Nigeria, we need to change that.
Then what will you do?
We have started something. I have dug borehole. We are going to dig more; that is going to be a natural solution to the age-old problem. We shall also increase children enrolment to primary school. I started my life as a pupils teacher at Holy Child Independent Private School, Owode Yewa. With that background, I know that our children are our future, but if we don’t do what we should do for them today, that tomorrow is not assured.
Don’t you call government attention to this infrastructural deficit in your town?
Yes, government is important but something about me is that I like to make effort to first lift my load before I seek a helping hand. Let government see that we are doing something. But a situation whereby you rely on the government, you may not go anywhere. And that is not my promise to my town. I want to take the lead before others come in. I am confident that we are going to get there but it may not be a rapid thing.
You mentioned a particular challenge regarding the landscape of your town. Can you remind me?
That must be the process of digging borehole. We encounter problems because it is difficult to dig and get water due to the nature of the land. Some contractors would come, test and go. So, it is expensive to dig borehole for this reason. I spent ₦6 million to dig a unit. Can you imagine that? But where there is will there is a way. I am not deterred at all. I know we are going to overcome any challenge on our way to develop this town.
Where is your town in Yewa?
My town is in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
What were you doing before you ascended the throne?
I worked at Critical Rescue International, Ikeja; Wibross Offshore Nigeria Limited, Port-Harcourt; Chevron Nigeria Limited; Abu Dhabi National Oil Refinery, United Arab Emirates. I worked at the company’s Occupational Health Department. I am a member of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses of Ireland. I was Executive Director of the Nigerian Association of Occupational Health Nurses.
I served as president, Professional Nigerians in the UAE and the alumni association of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing, Midwifery and Perioperative Care. At the social level, I am a member of the Rotary Club, Shagamu Metropolitan.
