Akarigbo Anoko Royal Family Celebrates The Legacy Of Remo Iconic Ruler, Oba Adedoyin On 73rd Memorial Anniversary

The descendants of Oba Williams Christopher Adedoyin, the esteemed Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, gathered on March 22, 2025, to honor the 73rd anniversary of his passing.

The solemn yet grand ceremony, held at his ancestral compound in Sagamu, Ogun State, attracted notable dignitaries, including his grandson and former Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Otunba (Dr.) Olukoya Adeleke Adedoyin, his 92-year-old granddaughter, Princess Adewunmi Banjo (née Olatunji Adedoyin), alongside other members of the royal family.

Oba Adedoyin, who ruled from 1916 to 1952, is remembered for his unwavering dedication to preserving Remoland’s autonomy and cultural identity. Born in 1879 into the Anoko Royal Family of Ofin, Sagamu, he was a direct descendant of Akarigbo Igimisoje, one of the founding figures of Sagamu.

During his reign, he fiercely resisted the British colonial administration’s attempt in 1921 to merge Remoland with Ijebu Ode under the Ijebu Province. Through relentless legal advocacy, he successfully campaigned for the recognition of Remoland’s independence, leading to a historic visit by Lieutenant General Sir Bernard Bourdillon in 1936. This ultimately resulted in the establishment of the Justice Miles Martindale Public Commission of Inquiry in 1937.

His tireless efforts culminated in the formation of the Remo Native Authority, distinct from the Ijebu Native Authority, securing full autonomy for Remoland. He further solidified his legacy by constructing the iconic Akarigbo Palace in 1938, which remains the seat of the Akarigbo of Remoland to this day.

Recognized for his paramount status by the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adedoyin was invited to the historic 1937 Conference of Paramount Rulers of Yorubaland in Oyo. This gathering laid the groundwork for future Akarigbos, starting with HRM Oba Moses Sowemimo Awolesi (Erinwole II), who later played a key role in the establishment of the Western House of Chiefs in 1952.

Beyond politics, Oba Adedoyin was a staunch advocate of Christianity and Western education in Remoland. His reign saw the founding of Remo Secondary School in 1946, furthering educational opportunities in the region. He also championed infrastructural development, including the road link between Remo and Ikorodu. Additionally, under his reign, Chief Matthew Adekoya Okupe, a native of Iperu Remo, established Nigeria’s first indigenous bank, Agbonmagbe Bank, in 1945. This institution, now known as Wema Bank Plc, initially operated branches in Lagos, Sagamu, and Abeokuta.

His era also witnessed remarkable achievements by Remonians. One of his sons, Prince (Dr.) Adegboyega Adedoyin, a UK-trained medical doctor, made history as the first Nigerian athlete to participate in the Olympic Games in 1948. Another son, Prince Adeleke Adedoyin, a University of London-trained lawyer, became a nationalist and was elected into the Legislative Council in 1945 under Herbert Macaulay’s Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP). He later served as Speaker of the Western Region House of Assembly and as a Federal Minister of Labour, Social Welfare, and Cooperatives.

Oba Adedoyin’s reign also coincided with a period of remarkable political and intellectual advancements in Nigeria. The establishment of the Nigerian Tribune newspaper in 1949 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a distinguished Remonian from Ikenne, played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s political discourse. Awolowo, who founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa organization—which later evolved into the Action Group political party—would go on to lead the Western Region’s government.

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The year of Oba Adedoyin’s passing, 1952, was also significant for Remoland. That same year, Awolowo emerged as the Minister of Local Government Reform and Leader of Government Business for the Western Region. Meanwhile, Oba Adedoyin’s son, a former Supreme Court Commissioner and a key figure in the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), was elected to the Western Region House of Assembly. His involvement in the NCNC’s historic seven-man delegation to London in 1947 helped push for Nigeria’s self-governance, predating the formation of Awolowo’s Action Group party.

Furthermore, 1952 marked the emergence of Professor Theophilus Oladipo Ogunlesi, a Sagamu-born academic, as the first-ever Head of the College of Medicine at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan—the only university in Nigeria at the time. These achievements underscored the significant influence of Remoland during Oba Adedoyin’s reign.

The 73rd-anniversary commemoration featured traditional festivities, including the serving of akara (bean cakes) and assorted drinks for attendees.

Speaking at the event, Princess Banjo, a nonagenarian and the eldest surviving granddaughter of Oba Adedoyin, extolled his legacy and prayed for his continued peaceful rest.

Otunba (Dr.) Adeleke Adedoyin, the current Head of the Anoko Ruling House of Akarigbo, reaffirmed the family’s commitment to further immortalizing their late patriarch. He emphasized the need to preserve and promote the history of Oba Adedoyin’s remarkable contributions to Remoland’s autonomy, heritage, and dignity.

Other distinguished family members and guests at the event included Princess Adeyinka Odeyemi (née Adediji Adedoyin), Princess Adeyinka Oduyela (née Lawole Adedoyin), Princess Iyabo (née Olabunmi Adedoyin), Alhaji Dauda Afolabi Olokun, and Prince Rotimi Onafuwa from the Liyangu Akarigbo Ruling House.