The Kabiyesi I know
When in 1974 my mates and I were admitted into the faculty of Health Sciences University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife to read Medicine, little did we know that one of us would about three decades later ascend the throne of his forefathers to become His Royal Majesty, the Osemawe and the Paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom.
None of us had the gift of clairvoyance and as Shakespeare wrote in his book”Macbeth”None of us could look into the seed of time to determine which grains would grow and which one would not”, but today that easy going amiable,humble,well behaved, good nurtured and intellectually endowed medical student now sits comfortably on the throne as KABIYESI ALAYELUWA OBA DR. VICTOR ADESIMBO KILADEJO Jilo III, THE OSEMAWE OF ONDO KINGDOM.
It was not unusual in those days to refer to some student as”NFA”(No Future Ambition)there were student perceived as unserious minded, unfocused and extremely fun-loving. Kabiyesi was a sharp contrast to this category. Throughout our seven year (1974-1981) sojourn at Ife, Victor distinguished himself as a very serious minded student, always at his best attending lectures,practicals,clinical posting etc.
He had no time for frivolities but managed to create little time for socials and extracurricular activities as at when convenient. I remember he was a member of TUDMONT club, one of the leading student social clubs on campus. He was a brilliant student by all standard. He left no one in doubt that he had a clear focus.
Our friendship grew as our years increased in the medical school. The last three years in school which were clinical years after obtaining our bachelors degree in Health science became more exciting and eventful. We stayed on the same floor just a few rooms away from each other in Adekunle Fajuyi Hall of Residence.
On several occasions while preparing for major examinations or end of clinical posting examinations, we engaged our ourselves along the hostel balcony firing at each other questions we might be asked in the examination.
It was in a manner similar to a boxer engaging in a sparing partner in a boxing ring except that these instances it was academic sparing. It was fun and achieved cerebral stimulations and memory recall of the “Stuff”
The brain had been loaded with more often he knew more than I did and that was an impetus for me to do more reading.
Victor was a reserved personality in school. He carried Himself with an air of unmistakeable responsibility and decorum. With the benefit of hindsight I can now confirm his royalty of nature. He has dedicated his dignified courage at school and many of our colleagues call him” Omoba”(Prince)or Oba l’ola”(King hereafter)but hardly did any appreciate the full import of these names. At best it was an expression of our youthful exurberance, but now we know better.
Victor never hid his love for his first love, MEDICINE. this explains why he went into full medical practice shortly after graduation from medical school. He had a stint working experience with government hospital in Ondo state. His hospital in Lagos, Kiladejo Royal Hospital is a testimony of his love for community and humanity
Victor is a family man to the core. He always makes time to minister to the member of his immediate family inspite of the heavy demand in royalty
My prayer is that as he has answered the call of his people to serve them, may the good Lord grant him wisdom, longevity and good health to rule over Ondo Kingdom, may his reign be peaceful, progressive and prosperous.
Ki ade pe Lori
Ki bats pe lese
Igba odun ojokan
Sen. Olorunmimbe Mamora
Senate Deputy Minority Leader & Classmate of Kabiyesi at Ife Medical School.