June 26 this year marked 67 years since the Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II, ascended the throne of his forefathers.
The historic milestone has once again thrust the revered monarch into the national spotlight as the longest-reigning traditional ruler in Yorubaland and one of the longest-serving monarchs in Nigeria.
Celebrating 67 uninterrupted years on the throne and still actively reigning, Oba Aladesuru II has recorded an extraordinary royal journey since ascending the ancient throne of Igede-Ekiti on June 26, 1959.
Celebrating 67 uninterrupted years on the throne and still actively reigning, Oba Aladesuru II has recorded an extraordinary royal journey since ascending the ancient throne of Igede-Ekiti on June 26, 1959.
His enduring reign stands as a remarkable symbol of longevity, stability and traditional leadership.
A Prince Destined for the Throne
Born in 1933, Prince James Adelusi Aladesuru was the son of Oba Agunsoyebiosupa Aladesuru I, a former Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, and Olori Johanna Ogunkolade Aladesuru. Although his father died when he was only eight years old, the young prince was raised by his mother and later by his maternal uncle, Chief Ireakari Ogundana, who financed his education.
He attended Baptist Central School, Igede-Ekiti, continued at Baptist Primary School, Ijagbo-Offa, before completing his primary education back in Igede in 1954.
Unable to proceed immediately to secondary school because of financial constraints, he trained as a photographer in Iseyin, Oyo State, worked briefly as a clerk and later became an elementary school teacher at Baptist primary schools around Ilora.
The Unexpected Royal Call
Oba Aladesuru has often recalled that becoming king was never part of his personal ambition.
According to the monarch, he was carrying on with his teaching career in Oyo State when, on June 8, 1959, his elder brother arrived with an official letter approving him as the next Onigede.
Rather than celebrating, the young teacher burst into tears.
His tears, he later explained, were not out of disappointment but because he realised he was about to leave behind the freedom of ordinary life, his profession and his circle of friends forever.
Following consultations among the ruling houses and traditional divination, he emerged as the unanimous choice without litigation or controversy—an uncommon occurrence in modern chieftaincy succession.
He was crowned the 27th Onigede of Igede-Ekiti at the age of just 26 years.
The Royal Dynasty
Contrary to the widespread belief that sons rarely succeed their fathers on Yoruba royal thrones, Oba Aladesuru explained that he did not directly succeed his father.
After the death of Oba Aladesuru I, two other monarchs occupied the throne before it returned to the Okiribiti Adeyibaka Ruling House, from which he emerged.
The ancient kingdom operates a rotational system involving three recognised ruling houses—Onaowuro, Oborolada and Okiribiti Adeyibaka.
Transforming Igede-Ekiti
Few monarchs in contemporary Nigeria can point to six decades of uninterrupted community development under their watch.
During Oba Aladesuru’s reign, Igede-Ekiti has witnessed significant expansion in infrastructure, education, healthcare and transportation.
Road networks connecting the community to neighbouring towns, including the Aramoko-Ado Ekiti and Ilawe-Igede roads, were developed during his reign.
Educational development also witnessed remarkable growth. While the community reportedly had only one secondary school and very few university graduates when he became king, today it boasts several secondary schools, health institutions and a large population of professionals across various fields.
The monarch has consistently attributed these achievements not to personal ability but to divine grace and the collective efforts of his people.
A Custodian of History and Yoruba Heritage
Beyond administration, Oba Aladesuru has remained one of the foremost custodians of the history of Igede-Ekiti and Yoruba civilisation.
He has repeatedly narrated the origin of Igede, tracing the town’s ancestry to Ake, an early settler from Ile-Ife, whose descendants later became prominent figures in Yoruba history.
The monarch has also preserved oral traditions linking Igede-Ekiti with the famous Osun deity, explaining that Osun was originally one of Ake’s children before eventually settling in present-day Osogbo after disagreements among siblings.
His deep knowledge of Yoruba history has made him a respected authority among historians, researchers and cultural enthusiasts.
Life Inside the Palace
Despite spending nearly seven decades on the throne, Oba Aladesuru has remained remarkably humble.
He has often spoken nostalgically about the ordinary life he left behind—particularly his love for football, farming and unrestricted interaction with friends.
One of his most emotional recollections was being informed after his installation that, in keeping with tradition, he would inherit some wives of his predecessor, an announcement he admitted moved him to tears.
Even in his advanced age, the monarch has maintained an active lifestyle, revealing in interviews that he still enjoys visiting his farm whenever possible.
Public Service Beyond the Palace
Apart from serving as the paramount ruler of Igede-Ekiti, Oba Aladesuru has held several public responsibilities over the decades.
He served as President of the Customary Court in Igede-Ekiti, participated in local government administration and sat on the governing boards of educational institutions, contributing immensely to grassroots governance and educational development in Ekiti State.
A Living Symbol of Stability
For generations of Igede indigenes, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II represents continuity, peace and responsible leadership.
His reign has witnessed colonial administration, Nigeria’s independence, military governments and successive democratic dispensations without interruption.
As the years continue to add to his extraordinary record, many Nigerians have described him as a living institution whose reign reflects the resilience and enduring relevance of traditional institutions in national development.
Born in 1933, Prince James Adelusi Aladesuru was the son of Oba Agunsoyebiosupa Aladesuru I, a former Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, and Olori Johanna Ogunkolade Aladesuru. Although his father died when he was only eight years old, the young prince was raised by his mother and later by his maternal uncle, Chief Ireakari Ogundana, who financed his education.
He attended Baptist Central School, Igede-Ekiti, continued at Baptist Primary School, Ijagbo-Offa, before completing his primary education back in Igede in 1954.
Unable to proceed immediately to secondary school because of financial constraints, he trained as a photographer in Iseyin, Oyo State, worked briefly as a clerk and later became an elementary school teacher at Baptist primary schools around Ilora.
The Unexpected Royal Call
Oba Aladesuru has often recalled that becoming king was never part of his personal ambition.
According to the monarch, he was carrying on with his teaching career in Oyo State when, on June 8, 1959, his elder brother arrived with an official letter approving him as the next Onigede.
Rather than celebrating, the young teacher burst into tears.
His tears, he later explained, were not out of disappointment but because he realised he was about to leave behind the freedom of ordinary life, his profession and his circle of friends forever.
Following consultations among the ruling houses and traditional divination, he emerged as the unanimous choice without litigation or controversy—an uncommon occurrence in modern chieftaincy succession.
He was crowned the 27th Onigede of Igede-Ekiti at the age of just 26 years.
The Royal Dynasty
Contrary to the widespread belief that sons rarely succeed their fathers on Yoruba royal thrones, Oba Aladesuru explained that he did not directly succeed his father.
After the death of Oba Aladesuru I, two other monarchs occupied the throne before it returned to the Okiribiti Adeyibaka Ruling House, from which he emerged.
The ancient kingdom operates a rotational system involving three recognised ruling houses—Onaowuro, Oborolada and Okiribiti Adeyibaka.
Transforming Igede-Ekiti
Few monarchs in contemporary Nigeria can point to six decades of uninterrupted community development under their watch.
During Oba Aladesuru’s reign, Igede-Ekiti has witnessed significant expansion in infrastructure, education, healthcare and transportation.
Road networks connecting the community to neighbouring towns, including the Aramoko-Ado Ekiti and Ilawe-Igede roads, were developed during his reign.
Educational development also witnessed remarkable growth. While the community reportedly had only one secondary school and very few university graduates when he became king, today it boasts several secondary schools, health institutions and a large population of professionals across various fields.
The monarch has consistently attributed these achievements not to personal ability but to divine grace and the collective efforts of his people.
A Custodian of History and Yoruba Heritage
Beyond administration, Oba Aladesuru has remained one of the foremost custodians of the history of Igede-Ekiti and Yoruba civilisation.
He has repeatedly narrated the origin of Igede, tracing the town’s ancestry to Ake, an early settler from Ile-Ife, whose descendants later became prominent figures in Yoruba history.
The monarch has also preserved oral traditions linking Igede-Ekiti with the famous Osun deity, explaining that Osun was originally one of Ake’s children before eventually settling in present-day Osogbo after disagreements among siblings.
His deep knowledge of Yoruba history has made him a respected authority among historians, researchers and cultural enthusiasts.
Life Inside the Palace
Despite spending nearly seven decades on the throne, Oba Aladesuru has remained remarkably humble.
He has often spoken nostalgically about the ordinary life he left behind—particularly his love for football, farming and unrestricted interaction with friends.
One of his most emotional recollections was being informed after his installation that, in keeping with tradition, he would inherit some wives of his predecessor, an announcement he admitted moved him to tears.
Even in his advanced age, the monarch has maintained an active lifestyle, revealing in interviews that he still enjoys visiting his farm whenever possible.
Public Service Beyond the Palace
Apart from serving as the paramount ruler of Igede-Ekiti, Oba Aladesuru has held several public responsibilities over the decades.
He served as President of the Customary Court in Igede-Ekiti, participated in local government administration and sat on the governing boards of educational institutions, contributing immensely to grassroots governance and educational development in Ekiti State.
A Living Symbol of Stability
For generations of Igede indigenes, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II represents continuity, peace and responsible leadership.
His reign has witnessed colonial administration, Nigeria’s independence, military governments and successive democratic dispensations without interruption.
As the years continue to add to his extraordinary record, many Nigerians have described him as a living institution whose reign reflects the resilience and enduring relevance of traditional institutions in national development.
Indeed, calls have also emerged for national recognition of his decades of service.
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