Lifestyle
History: Oba Olateru Olagbegi II — The King Who Fathered Over 140 Children
When Prince Olateru Olagbegi was just six years old in 1916, he was taken to a revered oracle in Owo. The prophecy was striking: in 25 years, he would become the Olowo (king) of Owo, reign for another 25 years, be deposed, and return to the throne exactly 25 years after that.
Amazingly, history unfolded just as foretold. In 1941, precisely 25 years later, Prince Olateru Olagbegi was crowned the Olowo of Owo. He ruled for another 25 years until the political crisis in Western Nigeria led to his suspension in 1966 and eventual deposition in 1968.
A King in Exile
Oba Olagbegi spent the next 25 years in exile in Ibadan, where he became an active member of the Ibadan Tennis Club. Then, in a twist of fate aligning with the old prophecy, he was reinstated as Olowo in 1993 by Ondo State Governor Bamidele Olumilua. The oracle’s prediction had come full circle.
Royal Roots and Political Rivals
The Olowo of Owo holds a unique place among Yoruba monarchs, considered a royal brother to the Oba of Benin. Oba Olateru Olagbegi II was not only tall and athletic but also known for his charm and charisma. His love for sports, especially tennis, and his vibrant personality made him a prominent figure.
A key part of his legacy was his complex relationship with Chief Michael Ajasin, his cousin and a future political heavyweight. Ironically, it was Olagbegi who sponsored Ajasin’s education in Sierra Leone in 1945, enabling him to become the first principal of Imade College, Owo, in 1949. Their friendship, however, eventually turned to rivalry.
In 1951, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his allies formed the Action Group (AG) party at the Olowo’s palace. Both Oba Olagbegi and Ajasin were enthusiastic hosts. However, a decade later, Olagbegi aligned with Ladoke Akintola against Awolowo, while Ajasin remained loyal to Awolowo. This political rift sparked a violent crisis in Owo, forcing Ajasin to flee for his life.
Oba Olagbegi’s close alliance with Akintola earned him leadership of the Western Region’s House of Chiefs, a powerful position. But with the military coup of 1966, which resulted in Akintola’s assassination, Olagbegi lost his political shield. His appeals to the new military leadership were unsuccessful, and he was formally deposed in 1968 by Colonel Robert Adebayo.
Knighted and Reinstated
Despite his political downfall, Oba Olagbegi was honored internationally. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1960 for his services to the British Empire and was thereafter known as Sir Olateru Olagbegi.
In 1993, history once again aligned with prophecy. Oba Olagbegi returned to the throne—25 years after his removal—following the death of his successor, Oba Ogunoye. Governor Olumilua made the decision, marking a powerful closure to the decades-long saga.
A Legacy Like No Other
Oba Olateru Olagbegi II passed away in 1998, leaving behind an enormous legacy—including a vast royal family. He fathered over 140 children, 117 of whom are documented. Among his descendants were:
35 lawyers (including 10 High Court judges)
25 medical doctors
23 engineers
22 chartered accountants
Over 100 university graduates
His son, Oba Olateru Olagbegi III (SAN, CFR), a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria, succeeded him as Olowo.
Oba Olateru Olagbegi II’s life was one of prophecy, power, exile, and a triumphant return. His reign saw political upheaval, cultural evolution, and historic reconciliation. As a father of over 140 children, he not only left behind a massive royal lineage but also a remarkable story of resilience and legacy in Yoruba history.
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He was reacting to the recent protest by Ghanaians demanding Nigerians must leave their country.
Nollywood actor and politician Yul Edochie has urged Igbos in diaspora to return home.
He was reacting to the recent protest by Ghanaians demanding Nigerians must leave their country.
In a post on Facebook, he urged Igbos abroad to to return and invest in their homeland.
Taking to his page, he wrote:
“Ndi Igbo come back home and invest in Igbo land.
If you’re facing rejection on foreign soil, it’s not a sign to fight anybody, it’s a sign to return home.
We have wandered for too long.
Home is calling.
Our ancestors and spirits in Igbo Land are calling us to return home and develop home.
A new dawn has come in Igbo land.
It’s time to return home.
Ana amalu mma si na uno wee puo ilo,” he wrote.
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Enenche claimed that the nation is under an evil spell amid the economic hardship ravaging the country.
Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche has revealed the problem of Nigeria.
According to him, the country is under a demonic spell and witchcraft.
He said that’s the reason why the people have continued to tolerate suffering and hardship.
“There’s a blanket of sorcery and darkness over this nation; an evil spell making people tolerate what should provoke outrage,” he wrote.
In a post on his official X account on Thursday, the cleric highlighted the economic struggles faced by many Nigerians, noting that increasing numbers of church members now line up after services not for spiritual counseling or prayer, but for basic needs such as rent, school fees, food and medical bills.
“People are suffering. Pastors are drained. Members now queue after service not for prayer, but for help,” he lamented.
He also criticized political leaders for what he described as their insensitivity and failure to address the dire situation across the country.
“Yet, the leaders act as though nothing is wrong. This is not normal. It is witchcraft. A spell of patience in captivity. A demonic tolerance of suffering.”
Calling for divine intervention, Enenche declared: “Let every evil spell over this land be broken! Let those misruling with arrogance and mocking the people’s pain face divine judgment. They shall not see the celebration of their wickedness.”
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Lifestyle
Spirits Are Angry – Actor, Yul Edochie Talks About Why There Are Too Many Early And Untimely De@ths In Nigeria
According to him, he recently traveled from Anambra to Abia state and was taken aback by the number obituaries he saw of young people.
Actor Yul Edochie has expressed concern over the alarming rate of early and untimely de@ths in Nigeria.
According to him, he recently travelled from Anambra to Abia state and was taken aback by the number obituaries he saw of young people.
He attributed the early de@ths to the ancestors and spirits being angry because many have abandoned traditional ways of worship.
He said the society needs spiritual cleansing and every African needs to return to traditional religion.
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