Dr Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso is the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, one of the three kings in Egbaland, Ogun State.
Tejuoso, a medical doctor is a unique monarch, in the sense that, unlike other African kings who rule their domains through their ancestral gods, he is a born again Christian, who serves only the Almighty God.
Indeed, when he ascended the throne 30 years ago, he gathered all the ancestral gods in his palace and publicly burnt them. Thereafter, he challenged the gods to kill him within seven days, if they had any power. But 30 years after, he is still alive.
According to him, he had a vision some years ago, where God urged him to set aside a day for gathering other royal fathers to praise Him with songs and worship.
So, on October 14 2004, Tejuoso gathered some of his colleagues and they praised the King of kings through worship and gospel songs. He tagged the day “Kings’ Day of Praise.”
The 16th edition of the programme was held penultimate Thursday, with 12 gospel artistes ministering in songs. Among them were the music maestro, Chief Ebenezer Obey, Tope Alabi, Funmi Aragbaye and Bola Sodipe.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun was among dignitaries that participated in the glorious event, held at the Anglican Bishops Hall, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
In his welcome address, Oba Tejuoso stressed the supremacy of God Almighty, saying as the King of kings, He deserves to be praised continually. God’s Kingdom, unlike man’s kingdom, he said, would remain forever.
He said: “The Event is the gathering of kings, queens, princes, princesses and chiefs to praise and appreciate the ‘Creator of the universe. And even despite all the political, economic and insurgencies happening around us, He still deserves our praises.”
The monarch was of the view that God would “heal the land,” if Nigerians would continually praise Him, saying “At a time like this, we need to get close to God more than before.”
The chairman of the occasion, Ebenezer Obey said: “It is by His mercies that we have not been consumed by Boko Haram, Niger-Delta insurgencies and economic recession. Hence, we have every cause to praise the Lord, Who deserves our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for keeping us alive and healthy. Indeed, our praises today is an assurance and guarantee of God’s guidance and protection of our country’s democratic, security and economic prowess.”
Commending Oba Tejuoso, Governor Abiodun described him as a man who puts God first in whatever he does.
Abiodun said: “I have pledged to do everything to promote the Kingdom of the God that has proved to me that there is nothing impossible for Him to do, and that man will always remain man.” He urged royal fathers to put God first in all their endeavours.
Among those that ministered in songs was the Royal Fathers choir, comprising only the monarchs, led by Oba Tejuoso. Twenty-five kings from within and outside the state graced the event.
The kings’ wives also ministered in songs to the admiration of the large congregation.
In his sermon, Oba Adedayo Akande stated that every human being must know that whatever he or she possesses today will pass away one day; hence every one should strive towards the “Main Jerusalem where there is no sorrow or pain.”
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