Oloye Saheed Oladele: From June 12 Activist to Baàmẹ̀kọ́ of Ibadaland
The tense atmosphere of June 12, 1993, a day etched in Nigeria’s history for its struggle for democracy, holds a particularly vivid memory for a young boy who would later become the Baàmẹ̀kọ́ of Ibadaland, Oloye Saheed Oladele.
His early encounter with the raw face of injustice during a protest in Akure’s Oja Oba market shaped a lifelong commitment to equity and fairness.
On that fateful day, the air in Akure crackled with tension as citizens rose in solidarity against injustice. The protest at Oja Oba escalated into violence. In a chaotic turn, a cooking pot was hurled towards a group of Mobile Police officers, landing squarely on one officer’s head like a fitted cap.
This act of defiance provoked a swift and aggressive response. An enraged colleague fired a gunshot in the direction the pot originated, while a teargas canister flew errantly, striking the young boy and causing him to collapse.
His quick-thinking cousin rushed him to their family’s grocery shop, one of two prominent establishments owned by influential Ibadan businesswomen at Oja Oba during the 1990s. Inside, she immediately switched on a fan and, with remarkable presence of mind, gently applied kerosene-soaked tissue paper around his nose and eyes. Slowly, the young boy stirred, regaining consciousness.
The incident left an indelible mark on him. It was a stark lesson that silence in the face of injustice is a dangerous path. He understood that genuine leadership isn’t merely about uttering slogans but is forged through personal sacrifice.
From that day forward, he made a solemn promise: to not only stand in solidarity with protesters but to actively champion the cause of equity and fairness for all.
Over three decades later, the young boy who fell during the tumultuous June 12 struggle for democracy has emerged as a respected leader.
He is now known as Oloye Saheed Oladele, the Baàmẹ̀kọ́ of Ibadaland, a testament to his enduring dedication to the principles he embraced so profoundly in his youth.
His story serves as a powerful reminder of how pivotal moments can shape a life of purpose and leadership.
