Oba Saheed Elegushi: Celebrating 14 Years of Modern, Meaningful Monarchy

Sunday Ehigiator

Amid the maelstrom of modern politics and the pervasive influence of civilisation, today’s generation views the traditional institution as a purposeless, antiquated relic that should be disposed of because they do not know any better. There is also the widespread misconception that the traditional institution belongs to a past that is distant and buried. However, the counter thesis to this widespread amnesia and wilful ambivalence is that this deified institution is the repository and custodian of tradition, culture, and continuity in ever-changing times. No other arm of government can boast of same.

Those versed in the essence of the traditional institution reckon that it helps to remind people of what they truly represent and where they came from and ensure peaceful co-existence and stability in their domains and beyond. Alas, like it is in many parts of the world that had once embraced monarchy but now romances democracy, the relevance of the traditional institution has dwindled especially without clearly defined constitutional roles like the Nigerian case.

Conversely, many of Nigeria’s new generation Kings still understand the roles, responsibilities, and nuances of core monarchy. They hold court like the days of yore, arbitrate in communal disputes and issues of development, and are effective social builders. Even beyond this customary remit is the amount of social empowerment they execute in their domains without making a song and a dance of like the average politician. For them, it is all in a day’s job.

Noteworthy among this rarefied class is the urbane Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi (Kusenla 111) who rules over Ikate Kingdom, the coastal community in the heart of Lagos that is fast evolving into a prime real estate and major tourist destination with its many private beaches. He is one of the few who has helped to blur the line between the old traditional and modern monarchy.

Away from the stereotypical perception of a traditional ruler as a wizened, unlettered geriatric, the Elegushi is as youthful, exposed, educated, dynamic, and suave as any other top-flight professional in a position of power. Yet, he has not lost the lustre that makes ancient traditional rulership significant and relevant.

Rather, Oba Saheed Elegushi continues to help buoy and boost it with his initiatives and interventions that revolve around reinforcing his long-held argument that while the Nigerian constitution may have exorcised, banished, or condemned the symbolism and relevance of Nigeria’s traditional rulers to the background, he will be a salve in times of political turmoil or communal disharmony, and a stabilising force for the state at large.

Indeed, while leadership may be hard to define, it is easy to identify in times of crisis. Over the years, the Elegushi has proved that he is a traditional ruler that can rise to the moment, demonstrating resolve, civility, courage, empathy, and respect for his subjects and stakeholders.

Fourteen years after succeeding his father, the late Oba Yekini Adeniyi Elegushi, reputed as the first Idejo (white cap) chief to become an Oba, Ikate Kingdom has evolved from a swampy community into a major commercial and residential and tourist destination under his sterling rulership. The kingdom continues to witness significant progress in various areas of development like education, healthcare, social welfare, and infrastructure among others.

As part of his commitment to bequeathing knowledge to today’s generation, Oba Elegushi instituted an endowment for the establishment of the Centre of Lagos Study at the Lagos State University, his alma mater, which he said was driven by the need for an institutional body that would act as a research and reference point for studies related to Lagos. The centre, according to him, is also for scholars and researchers from all over the world who desire to study the history, culture, and socio-economic activities of the people of Lagos across its five divisions. He added, “(The centre) will serve as a research institute for the study of the socio-cultural, economic, and political development of the state, and a hub for seminars, workshops, and conferences for issues relating to Lagos for policy formulation.”

Aside paying the health bills of indigent indigenes and sponsoring health outreach programmes and screening, the Elegushi has facilitated the construction of a 40-bed health centre fitted with a dental and eye treatment facility in Ikate Kingdom. Similarly, he sponsors and superintends over the monthly distribution of sanitary towels to over 1,000 secondary school girls to promote menstrual hygiene. He also gives out education support grants to indigent students in Eti-Osa and periodic financial support for primary and secondary schools within and outside the kingdom.

A redoubtable lover of the arts, Oba Elegushi is a prominent sponsor of various art exhibitions and programmes, and is currently the Chairman of Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria; and Patron of the International Women’s Society, founded in 1957 to work for the advancement of women of all races and to encourage and develop their common interests. He is also a patron of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), and a honourary member and major donor to the Rotary Foundation.

Enthroned in April 2010 as a fresh-faced public servant who had served as Personal Assistant to former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu between 2003 and 2007; and from June 2007 to 2010 as a Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, the Elegushi is a recipient of many honours including Excellent Leadership Award in Community Development, Babcock University; Outstanding Leadership Award, Lagosians in Chicago, USA; and honourary doctorate degrees in Public Leadership, Peace and Community Development by the European-American University; Public Administration from the Igbinedion University; and Public Policy and Community development, Lagos State University.

In 2018, the New York Times cited a study conducted by Mauro Guillen, a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, which discovered “robust and quantitatively meaningful evidence that monarchies outperform other forms of government and provide nations with stability that often translates into economic gains.”

While this is subject to a debate, it is doubtful if any political office holder within the Ikate kingdom or beyond has impacted the people more than or, as much as the Elegushi.