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1. OONI OF ILE-IFE
Oonirisa Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II
Oba Sijuwade was born on 1 January 1930 in Ile-Ife to the Ogboru ruling house. He was a grandson of Ooni Sijuwade Adelekan Olubuse I. He was the 50th Ooni of Ife, reigning from 1980 until his death in 2015.
Oba Sijuwade’s mother, the late Yeyelori Emilia Ifasesin Sijuwade (née Osukoti Adugbolu), was an Akure woman from the Osukoti Adugbolu family of Ereketa, Akure.
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2. OSEMAWE OF ONDO KINGDOM
Oba Kiladejo was born in Ondo City, the eldest of the 22 children of Prince Gbadebo Adedoyin Kiladejo of the Edilokun Okuta Ruling House.
His mother, the late Mrs. Julianah Olusola Kiladejo, was from the Ajayi Dynasty in Akure.
Oba Kiladejo was raised in Iro by his Akure-born mother, popularly known as Mama Oke, who was also a sister to the late Odopetu Akinloye. Madam Juliana Oke was a member of the United Apostolic Church of Christ, Oke Temidire, Akure.
Oba Kiladejo also speaks the Akure dialect fluently.
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3. KING SUNNY ADÉ
King Sunny Adé is one of Nigeria’s most internationally renowned musicians and one of Africa’s major pioneers of modern juju music.
His mother, Princess Maria Adesida, was one of the daughters of Oba Olofinlade Afunbiowo Adesida I, the 41st Deji of Akure Kingdom, making King Sunny Adé a member of the Adesida dynasty.
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4. GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE
Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde is the current Governor of Oyo State.
Makinde’s connection to Akure is through his late mother, Madam Abigail Omojolagbe Amope Makinde (née Omoregie).
Her mother, Madam Jimirifo Omoregie (née Ogini), was from Uro Quarters, Akure, while her father, Pa James Ojo Omoregie, was of Ado-Akure origin.
Abigail was raised in Akure and attended St. Thomas Primary School, Akure.
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5. QUEEN ADERONKE ADEMILUYI OGUNWUSI
Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi is an entrepreneur, fashion professional, and member of the royal family of Ife. She is also one of the wives of the current Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
Her connection to Akure comes directly through her mother, who is from the town.
Queen Aderonke explained that her mother wanted her children to experience their maternal culture, historical background, and identity, so she sent them to boarding school in Akure.
She attended Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, for her secondary education. After graduating, she returned to London for her A-levels before proceeding to university to study Law.
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6. FALZ THE BAD GUY
Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz the Bad Guy, is a Nigerian Afrobeats artiste, rapper, songwriter, actor, and lawyer.
His mother, Mrs. Funmi Falana (née Aguda), SAN, is a Nigerian lawyer and women’s-rights activist.
Funmi Falana has a strong connection to Akure through her father, Justice Akinola Aguda, a distinguished Nigerian jurist who served as Chief Judge of Ondo State and became the first indigenous African Chief Justice of Botswana.
The Aguda family has roots in Isinkan, Akure-South, where the family is associated with the traditional ruling dynasty of the Iralepo of Isinkan. Funmi Falana attended St. Louis Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, Ondo State.
She is also identified as the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Akure.
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7. PASTOR POJU OYEMADE
Pastor Poju Oyemade is the founder and senior pastor of The Covenant Nation (TCN).
His mother, Professor (Mrs.) Adefunke Oyemade, was the eldest child of Chief Josiah Orisabinu Adedipe, the Elemo of Akure, and Madam Victoria Bolaji Adedipe, establishing her direct family roots in Akure.
She is also recognised as the first female medical doctor from Akure Kingdom.
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By Oluwafemi Omodara
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