To mark his 90th birthday, Oba Olatunde Falabi, the Lanbeloye III and Alakire of Ikire, has continued his celebrations by providing free medical care to elderly residents of the agrarian town. On Monday, the monarch’s initiative offered free consultations and medications, in collaboration with the Geriatrics Unit of the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan and the Oyo State chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). The medical outreach honors Oba Falabi for his peaceful and impactful leadership over the years.
The three-day celebration began on Friday, January 17, with a prayer session followed by a Jumaat service at the Central Mosque. On Saturday, a special reception was held where prominent indigenes were honored. The event concluded with a Thanksgiving Service at the RCCG Province 11 Headquarters in Ikire, which was attended by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Oba Falabi is also a pastor in the RCCG.
In his sermon during the Thanksgiving Service, Pastor Adeboye congratulated Oba Falabi for reaching the milestone of 90 years. He praised the monarch for his peaceful reign and the significant achievements Ikire has experienced under his leadership, which has spanned more than 30 years. Adeboye encouraged the congregation to embrace the fear of God and prayed for continued peace in Ikireland.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ojo Fafa Abiodun, also celebrated the monarch’s contributions. He highlighted Ikire’s progress under Oba Falabi’s leadership, noting the town’s growth in infrastructure, education, and politics. He also pointed out that Ikire is one of the few towns in Osun State to have a serving senator, commissioner, and member of the State House of Assembly. He urged Ikire residents to maintain peace and continue supporting the Akire for further development.
Other speakers at the event praised Oba Falabi for his leadership. Senator Lere Oyewumi, now a first-class chief in Ikire, commended the monarch for encouraging political involvement among Ikire indigenes. He reflected on how, in the past, people had to be persuaded to run for political office in the town, a situation that has since changed with the active participation of educated locals.
The celebration was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Governor Adeleke’s representative, Hon. Ojo Fafa Abiodun; Senator Lere Oyewumi, representing Osun West; Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, Member of the 8th Osun State Assembly for the Irewole/Isokan Constituency; as well as other state commissioners, traditional rulers, and notable figures. Also in attendance were several Ikire sons and daughters, both from home and abroad.
Born on January 20, 1935, to the late Prince Saliu Omoboyede and Madam Ajibola Olugun Falabi, Oba Falabi was a prominent pharmacist, entrepreneur, and farmer before ascending to the throne. He previously served as the CEO of Oba Falabi (Nig.) Ltd, as well as the former commercial manager at ROCHE (Nig.) Limited in Lagos. He is also a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and is committed to improving the lives of Ikire indigenes and Nigerians more broadly, aiming for a future where everyone can find fulfillment in their homeland.
