HRM Oba S. Gbadebo Bajowa was born 62 years ago to the Lubokun royal family of Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. By divine arrangement, HRM is a man of double royalty as his mother was a princess of Olugbede royal family of Ubu in Ogun State.
Even the heavens attested to his royal status at his birth and HRM was naturally named ‘Gbadebo’ (meaning ‘someone who arrived with a crown’). In spite of this advantage, the royal father did not leave anything to chance, as he moved through every stage of life with dogged determination, overcoming all obstacles and ensuring that he is adequately prepares for the next task. In deed he had to fend for himself very early in life. He appreciated the value of hard work and self reliance.
Kabiyesi attended the St. Stephen’s Primary School and St. John’s Anglican School, both at Igbotako and completed the Primary Six leaving Certificate in 1956. He moved to Lagos in January 1957 with his late uncle, Zebulon Ujobire Bajowa. He immediately enrolled for evening classes to prepare himself for the West African School Certificate Examination (WASC) and he made it in grand style. He thereafter enrolled for and passed his professional examinations in Secretarial Studies. He also obtained a certificate in Ideal Secretary ship, Human Relations, Basic Principles of Book Keeping, Communications, Office Layout and Productivity from the Nigeria Institute of Supervisory Management.
HRM was born into royalty, grew and finally assumed royal status! Despite the vicissitudes of life, Oba Bajowa has consistently been eminent and elegant in his dealings. He has endeared himself to all he came across both as a royal father. Hs varied experience in many sectors has been brought to bear in his administration as a royal father. In deed Osooro land has been blessed with laudable development and progress since Kabiyesi ascended the throne of his forefathers at the age of 31 years in 1977.
The contributions of Kabiyesi to the development of Osooro land and humanity has not gone unnoticed. He has been bestowed with various honours and awards by many organizations and government. HRM was made a Justice of the Peace (J.P) in 1988; Honourary Fellowship of the Nigerian Society of Philanthropists. He is a Notable Citizen of Nigeria and Patron to many societies. He holds Doctorate Degree Honours Cause and he is the current Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. He bagged the award of the best chancellor in the south west on the 15th April, 2009.
Kabiyesi is a devout Christian and happily married.
