A former Commissioner for Health in Oyo state and Provost of Premier College of Health Technology, Ibadan, Dr Kayode Afolabi has enjoined all Mogajis (compound heads) in Ibadanland to see their position as call to service, stewardship, reconciliation, protection and responsible leadership.
Afolabi gave this advice at post installation ceremony of his son and Mogaji Agunbiade dynasty in Ode Aje, Alaadorin, Oluyoro Oke-Offa area of Ibadan, Chief Tolulope Akinkunmi Afolabi.
It could be recalled that the Mogaji Agunbiade dynasty was installed on Monday April 27th 2026 by the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty? Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja at his palace located at Oke Aremo in Ibadan North Local Government Area.
The post installation ceremony was held at Ibadan civic center Idi Ape area on Saturday.
The event was attended by Chairman of the occasion and President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, special guest
Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola, Dean of Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Professor Kehinde Kester, Professor James Ayangunna, Professor Yemisi Lydia Olaleye and other lecturers and students from department of Social Work, University of Ibadan.
Others are traditional head of Royal Owu Descendants Union in Ibadan and Mogaji Olugbode compound, Chief Teslim Olugbode, immediate past Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chief Ademola Babalola who represented Alhaja Fatima Abdulkareem, Chairman Royal Descendants of Owu Union, Mr Lateef Gbadamosi, Chief Segun Oyegbade Afolabi and Alhaji Isiaka Adeniran Olasheu.
The former Commissioner who was flanked with his wife and Head of Department of Social Work, University of Ibadan, Dr Abimbola Afolabi, thanked all members of Agunbiade compound both home and in the Diaspora for unanimously nominating his son to become the Mogaji.
He however enjoined the Mogaji and other Mogajis in Ibadanland to understand that the title of Mogaji is not simply a title to be displayed.
He said that the title is a call to service, stewardship, reconciliation, protection and responsible leadership.
The former Commissioner in his welcome address, described the event as celebration of family, heritage, unity, responsibility and service.
He said, “It gives me immense joy, gratitude and a deep sense of fulfilment to welcome you all to this special gathering as we celebrate the post-installation of our son, Chief Tolulope Akinkunmi Afolabi, the Mogaji Agunbiade. On behalf of the Afolabi family, and indeed the entire Agunbiade family, I warmly welcome you. Today is not merely a celebration of the conferment of a traditional title. It is a celebration of family, heritage, unity, responsibility and service. It is also a celebration of the confidence that a family has placed in one of its own sons.
“As a father, today is a particularly emotional and humbling occasion for me. To see one’s son called forward to assume responsibility for a family with such a rich history is a moment that naturally evokes gratitude to Almighty God. But beyond the joy of seeing a son honoured, I am conscious of the responsibilities that come with the honour. The title of Mogaji is not simply a title to be displayed. It is a call to service, stewardship, reconciliation, protection and responsible leadership. That is why I am especially grateful that the Agunbiade family, both at home and in the diaspora, unanimously nominated Tolulope for this responsibility.
“That unanimous decision means a great deal. It tells us that this is not simply about one individual. It is about the collective confidence of a family and its belief that one of its sons can be entrusted with the responsibility of carrying its name, protecting its heritage and helping to shape its future. To the sons and daughters of Agunbiade, I say a very special thank you. Thank you for your confidence, your prayers, your cooperation and for standing together as a family. Most importantly, thank you for continuing to demonstrate that distance does not diminish family. Whether you are here in Ibadan, elsewhere in Nigeria, in the United Kingdom, or in any other part of the world, we remain part of the same family and custodians of the same heritage. Your support has already demonstrated what can happen when a family chooses unity over division and collective progress over individual interest.
“When Chief Tolulope Afolabi received the staff of office, he made a profound statement. He said he did not regard the staff as a trophy, but as a hoe to farm, a cutlass to clear the way and a lamp to light the path for those coming behind. I believe that is a very appropriate philosophy for leadership. We expect him to cultivate people. We expect him to clear pathways for the younger generation. And we expect him to provide light, direction and hope for those who look up to him.
That is the kind of leadership that families need. That is the kind of traditional leadership that communities need and that is the kind of leadership that can contribute meaningfully to the development of Ibadanland.
“One of the things that gives me particular satisfaction today is that Chief Tolulope Afolabi’s assumption of this responsibility did not begin with the installation. Before his installation, he had supported initiatives including the provision of solar-powered street lighting within the expanded Agunbiade family compound. The project has helped improve movement and security within the compound at night. He has supported 63 students on scholarship in collaboration with Premier College of Health Technology, Ibadan. He also recently inaugurated a periodic Health Outreach tagged “Agunbiade Community Health Campaign where over a hundred people were screened, treated and referred as appropriate. All these demonstrate an important principle that leadership should not begin with a title. The title should only provide a greater platform for service that has already begun.
“Our Mogaji has also spoken about his desire to promote human-capital development and empowerment within the family and community. He has announced further plans for an Agunbiade Education and Human Capital Development Scholarship Initiative and has expressed the intention to engage the younger generation through skills, enterprise and meaningful opportunities. These are areas that matter deeply to me as a father, a reproductive health expert and as someone who believes strongly in the development of people.
“A family becomes strong not merely because it owns property. A family becomes strong when it educates its children, develops its young people, protects its vulnerable members, preserves its values and prepares the next generation to take responsibility.
“As we celebrate today, I want to make one appeal to every member of the Agunbiade family. Let this installation strengthens our unity. Let us remember that the strength of the Mogaji is ultimately the strength of the family. No Mogaji can succeed alone. No family can prosper where there is division.
“No heritage can survive where the younger generation is disconnected from its roots. And no legacy can endure unless each generation accepts the responsibility of preserving and improving what it inherited.
“I am encouraged that the new Mogaji has spoken about digital family records, human-capital development, diaspora engagement, education, empowerment and community security. He has also expressed his intention to support the security agenda of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
These are important areas for a modern family head to consider. We want an Agunbiade family that remembers where it came from but is not afraid of where it is going.
We want young Agunbiade people who can compete anywhere in the world while remaining proud of their Ibadan heritage. We want our compound to be a place of peace, dignity, learning and opportunity. And we want Agunbiade to contribute positively to the wider development of Ibadanland.
“Chief Tolulope Akinkunmi Afolabi, your legal training has taught you about justice, evidence, responsibility and accountability.
“Your professional experience has exposed you to people and institutions beyond our immediate environment. Agunbiade dynasty has given you a heritage and a responsibility. Bring all these together in your service to our people of Ibadanland.
“Let me once again express our profound appreciation to all the branches of the Agunbiade family. Your presence makes this celebration meaningful. I acknowledge with gratitude the support and guidance of the Oyegbade, Adeaga, Adegboye and Adebunmi families. Our relationship represents the importance of extended family ties and collective responsibility.
To our traditional rulers, distinguished guests, chiefs and elders, we thank you for honouring us with your presence. To our friends and well-wishers, thank you for standing with our family. And to everyone who has contributed in one way or another to making this occasion possible, may God bless you abundantly.
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“Tolulope, my son, I am proud of you today. But more than being proud of the title you have received, I am proud of the opportunity you have now to serve our people. Remember that the name you carry today, Mogaji Agunbiade, makes you a custodian in a long chain of generations.
“Your responsibility is to receive the heritage with gratitude, preserve it with integrity, improve it with wisdom and hand it over to the next generation in better condition than you received it. That is the true meaning of legacy.
