Oba Akamo, A Traditional Ruler With Touch of Modernity

By Oyedeyi Habeebah / Posted August 5, 2025

In the bustling industrial belt of Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo, the Olu of Itori, Ewekoro, is a revered monarch whose reign since February 2004 has brought rich dividends of responsive leadership, cultural preservation, and empowerment to the community.

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Born on October 1, 1960 coinciding with Nigeria’s independence, Oba Akamo’s life story is one of determination and a vision founded on service to humanity, especially his people. During his inchoate trajectory in life, he was first, a successful entrepreneur and later became a first-class traditional ruler, inspired by a commitment to leave identifiable footprints on the sands of a truly progressive Itori-land that would deepen the bonds of peace and unity across Egbaland.

Like most kids who grew up in rural areas of Nigeria, Oba Akamo’s early life was a variegated admixture of hardships amidst sheer perseverance. At an early age of years, he hawked goods at six to support his siblings of their large family, while attended school. His educational journey took him through Ebenezer African Primary School in Ibadan and African Church Grammar School in Abeokuta. Fortuitously, former President Olusegun Obasanjo noticed his brilliance and paid for his secondary school leaving certificate examination (SSCE). On completion of his secondary education, he traveled to nearby city of Lagos on an entrepreneurial practice, running a travel agency. The significant boost to his business came when he secured a consultancy contract to procure tickets for 5,000 Nigeria Football Supporters Club members during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Afterwards, he recorded several other successful deals.

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On assuming kingship, Oba Akamo embarked on a multi-response approach to projects execution that have positive impact on his people and community. Through a charitable platform he founded, the Oba Akamo Great Expectation Foundation, he is as today, funding scholarships, building schools, supporting widows, and promoting youth initiatives.

His coronation anniversaries usually feature outreach programs like correctional inmates’ rehabilitation and sporting events. Notable infrastructures that his reign has brought to the community includes the King’s Court event center and the DS Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, which he is canvassing the government to elevate to university status.

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As Chairman of Progressive Obas Forum in Ogun State, he has been able interface and rally traditional rulers to embrace modernity and leverage all avenues for community support including government, corporate and individual to boost rural development. To champion corporate governance awareness in the community, in 2024, he criticized Lafarge Cement for environmental neglect and urged federal intervention to address the perceived inequities.

As a testament to his broadmindedness of leadership, he has honoured political leaders like Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka with chieftaincy title of “Opomulero of Itori Land” for his support to development in the land. During the last campaign season, he boldly endorsed the candidature of current Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. On another occasion, he has called on Nigerians to exercise patience with President Tinubu’s reforms.

Distinctively, Itori, the main town under his rule is Ewekoro’s commercial hub and not the smaller Itori Oke. His development efforts are focused on main Itori, home to key infrastructure.

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As chief custodian of the cultural heritage of his people, he has continued to promote traditional initiatives like Ode Oba event and other activities that are integral to cultural preservation, in addition to supporting upcoming artistes. Indeed, Oba Akamo’s dynamic reign is a watershed of hope for Itori-land’s prosperity, blending tradition with modernity.