A ROYAL TRIBUTE IN HONOUR OF HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, OBA (DR.) DELE OWONIYI, OWEYOMADE I, OBARO OF KABBA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2025 KABBA DAY CELEBRATION
By DR. OLORUNGBEMI SIMEON TOYIN
The drumbeats of Owe land are rolling once again. The bata, gan’gan and sekere all echo one message, “Obaro laa la!” Indeed, Obaro laa la, la’je b’Obaro ghwo to? The Obaro is mighty and revered; no mortal contends with the voice of His Majesty, the Obaro in Council.
Today, as sons and daughters of Kabba converge from across Nigeria and beyond to celebrate Kabba Day 2025, we pay glowing tribute to the great monarch of Owe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Dele Owoniyi, Oweyomade I, a leader whose reign continues to rekindle the pride, unity, and progress of the Owe people.
The Obaro of Kabba stands as the paramount ruler of Owe land, the custodian of Owe culture, and the symbol of the people’s conscience and destiny. As the Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council, Oba Owoniyi embodies the voice of unity among the Okun nation.
He is a bridge between tradition and modern governance, between ancestral heritage and emerging civilization.
His throne is not merely a seat of honour but a platform of service. His Royal Majesty is a monarch who blends wisdom with humility, grace with courage, and royalty with deep compassion for his people.
Since ascending the throne of his forefathers, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Dele Owoniyi, Oweyomade I, has demonstrated that traditional leadership can coexist harmoniously with the demands of modern development.
A monarch of vision and deep intellect, Oba Owoniyi carries himself with a unique blend of royal dignity and administrative competence. His leadership philosophy is founded on inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence, and purposeful development. The Kabba Palace under his reign has become not only the seat of traditional authority but also a hub of development, mediation, and innovation.
Dr. Owoniyi’s emergence marked the dawn of a new era for Owe Kingdom. With his refined exposure and administrative background, he has infused modern dynamism into the traditional stool, making Kabba a beacon of organized traditional governance. His reign has brought unprecedented stability to the Owe traditional institution, bridging generational divides and reviving confidence among the people. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that traditional rulers play more proactive roles in governance, security, education, and community mobilization. These are key ingredients for the development of any society.
As a monarch with foresight, he spearheaded and championed the establishment of Kogi State University, Kabba, which remains a landmark achievement in the educational development of Okunland. His advocacy and royal diplomacy were instrumental in attracting the state government’s attention to this noble cause. Today, the institution stands as a monumental legacy to his leadership. This one institution will continue to educate, empower, and inspire generations of Kabba and Okun youth long after his reign.
The Kabba Day Celebration, under the reign of Oba Owoniyi, has assumed a new level of prestige and purpose. Once a festival of reunion, it has now become a unifying platform for investment, philanthropy, and strategic planning for community development. His Royal Majesty has elevated Kabba Day from a mere cultural festivity to an avenue for reflection on heritage, a forum for partnership with government and private investors, and a symbol of collective pride. Each year, through his leadership, Kabba Day brings together captains of industries, academicians, political leaders, and grassroots citizens to deliberate on the progress of the land.
The Obaro’s wisdom in administration and his gift of human relations have made him a rallying point for all, be you a Christian or Muslim, youth or elder, rich or poor. He is a monarch who listens with empathy and acts with fairness. His palace is open to all who seek counsel, justice, or comfort. It is this quality of accessibility and humility that has endeared him to his people, and that has made the throne of Owe Kingdom a symbol of peace, reconciliation, and progressive dialogue.
As the Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council, Oba Owoniyi has also extended his influence beyond Kabba to unite the Okun-speaking areas of Kogi State under one umbrella of brotherhood. Through his leadership, Okunland has witnessed greater cohesion, coordination, and recognition within the larger political structure of Kogi State. He has used his office to advocate for infrastructural development, political inclusion, and the preservation of the Okun identity. In all these, he has remained steady, calm, and strategic, and never distracted by politics or vanity, but consistently focused on the welfare of his people.
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Dele Owoniyi, Oweyomade I, is not only a royal father but also a scholar, an administrator, and a moral compass in a society in dire need of exemplary leadership. His academic brilliance and administrative dexterity have given his traditional rulership an uncommon texture of professionalism. Those who know him closely attest to his disciplined lifestyle, his attention to detail, his love for order, and his uncompromising sense of justice. Indeed, he epitomizes the age-old Yoruba, saying that “Kabiyesi kii s’eni kan, that is, Oba kii se eniyan lasan” (The King is not an ordinary man).
The Kabba monarch is a champion of grassroots development. He encourages local entrepreneurship, supports youth initiatives, and consistently promotes education as the foundation of progress. His influence extends to religious tolerance, communal harmony, and the protection of women and children’s rights. In a world where many traditional rulers have become distant from their subjects, Oba Owoniyi remains close to his people. He attends functions, encouraging self-help projects and mediating family and community disputes with fatherly wisdom.
As we celebrate Kabba Day 2025, we do so with immense gratitude and admiration for a monarch whose reign continues to define the destiny of a proud people. His Royal Majesty’s humility before God and commitment to the spiritual, social, and economic well-being of his subjects evoke the spirit of Apostle Paul by putting God first, others second, and himself last.
Oba (Dr.) Dele Owoniyi, Oweyomade I, is truly the light of Owe land and the pride of Okun nation. Long may your reign continue to bring peace, unity, and prosperity to Kabba. May your throne endure in wisdom and divine favour. May Kabba and all her sons and daughters continue to rise under your guiding leadership.
As you gather the people together to celebrate the 2025 Kabba Day in a week’s time, l pray for all-around successes.
Happy New Month, Opemi
Obaro laa la o! La’je b’Obaro ghwo to!
Kabiyesi ooo, Obaro Oweyomade I of Owe Kingdom!
May the drums never cease in your honour, and may your footsteps continue to echo in the corridors of history.
Long Live His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Dele Owoniyi, Oweyomade I.
Long Live Owe Kingdom.
Long Live Okunland.
Long Live Kogi State.
