Days after the demise of one of the most recognized Yoruba monarchs in Ondo State, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr.) Lawrence Oluwole Babajide, PhD, Bamigbala 1, the Oluoke and Paramount Ruler of Okeigbo Kingdom, his people are still mourning him.
The respected monarch was said to have joined his ancestors at the ripe age of 92.
The initial news of his demise was broken on Friday, 5th May, 2023 at the main market of Okeigbo by Isoros led by Pakoyi (Baba Loja) of Okeigbo Kingdom, Chief Akinbobola Adedigbo who officially announced the demise of Oluoke to Nigerians and others beyond the shores of the country.
In accordance with the tradition of Okeigbo, rituals to enable him have easy passage to his ancestors began immediately the death of Oluoke was announced.
The departed monarch was the 17th ruler and sixth Oluoke of Okeigbo Kingdom.
It is on record that on September 14th, 2018, the ever-performing governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu officially presented him his staff of Office.
According to our impeccable source, Hon. Prince Alexander Omojadegbe, the Director General, Oluoke media, Oba Lawrence Oluwole Babajide was born on the 23rd day of July, 1931 to the family of Bamigbala Oloyede through Chief Daniel Ayinla Babajide and Madam Omiyeni Onidede Babajide of blessed memories, both of them were from Aare Traditional Ruling Quarter, Okeigbo.
His first chieftaincy title was Bobajiro of Okeigbo before he became the Bashorun of the ancient town and he was also the chairman of Okeigbo Central Council (OCC) for many years.
He was noted for his peaceful character and it has been confirmed that on his emergence as the Oluoke of Okeigbo, he quickly constituted reconciliation committee not only to harmonize all the aggrieved parties but to create brand new Okeigbo to the extent that Okeigbo sons and daughters in diaspora kept coming back home to contribute immensely to the development of the town by erecting magnificent edifices in the town.
To mention few of his achievements, Oba Lawrence Oluwole Babajide of blessed memory facilitated the construction of several kilometers of Okeigbo township roads by the state government and NDDC.
In addition, his timely intervention brought back to life the moribund water corporation in Okeigbo via the state government.
Records have equally revealed that for over ten years, there was no bank in Okeigbo, however, through his son, a Micro Finance Bank called “LOBREM” (Lawrence Olu Babajide Remi) MFB came to the town.
Also, the late monarch did not only constitute a well performing committee but led the committee to renovate the damaged and vandalized Police Office. He also ensured that a befitting Office for Okeigbo division of NSCDC was built.
Oba Babajide was a personality who kept promises, thus, as he earlier promised to build a house for God – he fulfilled the promise in the year 2020 when he singlehandedly built an ultra modern hall for Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Okeigbo zone as Secretariat and he contributed immensely to the construction and beatification of his Church, St. James Catholic Church, Okeigbo.
As a great man of God, he was good to all religions, that was why he graciously supported Muslim faithful in Okeigbo to get a new and better Eid Praying Ground.
He was promoted to the rank of first-class monarch in the year 2022 by the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led Ondo State government.
Oba Babajide worked indefatigably for Okeigbo Kingdom till Sunday 30th April, 2023, his last day on earth.
Credit: citymoversmagazine.com.ng
