In a memorable and jubilant ceremony, the Ishaga Akiniyi Kingdom honored Adama Njie, the Director of Tourism Promotion for the Gambia in the United Kingdom, with a prestigious chieftaincy title.
The event took place on Saturday, May 18, 2024, under favorable weather conditions that added to the joyous atmosphere. This diplomatic gesture not only celebrated Njie’s contributions but also strengthened ties between the Ishaga Akiniyi Kingdom and the Gambia.
According to an article written by Andrew Iro Okungbowa of the newtelegraphng.com, the occasion was tagged: ‘Induction into the Chieftaincy and Award of the Ishaga Akinniyi Kingdom’.
The kingdom is an evolving community on the fringes of Ota, Ogun State.
It was actually the first time of one hearing about the community. Days before this event, which this reporter was invited to well ahead of time by the recipient of the chieftaincy award, one had sought guidance and direction on how to locate the community from a friend that lives in Sango, Ota. Armed with the necessary information, one set out at about 8a.m. for an event that was to begin by 10 a.m., however, conscious of the ubiquitous ‘Nigeria Time,’ one still decided to set out that early.
This was informed by the fact that one was travelling through the Abeokuta-Ota Road, which for years one has not travelled on due to the history of the road. It turns out to be really disappointing as the condition of the road was worse off compared to the last time one had journeyed on the road.
The section of the road from Iyana-Ipaja down to Abule-Egba was a jolly ride but after that section, the stretch down to the former tollgate was hellish. Thankfully, motorists were allowed to use one way for both the upcoming and incoming vehicles.
That saved the day and the stress as well as the danger of travelling on such a hellish road. In retrospect, one is tempted to believe that the Abeokuta –Ota Road is jinxed or the government, both Ogun State and the Federal Government, has for years forgotten that Nigerians live in that part of the country.
Waiting period
Well, travelling down from the tollgate (Oju ori) to Ishaga Akinniyi Kingdom was a smooth ride. One arrived a few minutes before the designated time only to learn that the event had been shifted to noon!
As one contemplated on what next to do, the host and traditional ruler of the kingdom, King (Baale) Francis Femi Akinniyi, informed by my friend that I was inside my car parked in front of his compound waiting for the commencement of the event, he came outside to introduce himself and invited me inside.
I followed him into the compound, very spacious, but with a modest building occupying most of the expansive space. Preparation was in top gear for the event, with some of the people setting up the chairs and canopies while the Olori of the kingdom, Olori Rebecca B. Akiniyi, headed the young ladies and women in the kitchen.
One couldn’t resist a whiff of the aroma from the cooking of Nigeria’s party jollof rice. King Akiniyi, cut a picture of a young king, humble and affable, with an easy disposition and soft spoken. He was obviously in control here but without wearing his royalty and powerful toga like as an amour as most other kings or royalty do.
He dotted on one, going out of his way to personally attend to me and make one feel comfortable. It was nice being treated to some form of royal treat by the king himself. Hours after some of the people and chiefs of the kingdom began to saunter in.
One of them was Chief Gboyega Alaka, who is the Onigege Ara of Ishaga Akinniyi Kingdom and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Blessing Alaka, who is the Yeye Onigege of Ishaga Akinniyi Kingdom. It was in the course of exchanging pleasantries that I got to know that Alake was a colleague, with the ‘Nation Newspaper’, and we struck acquaintance and affinity instantly.
Installation ceremony
The sole celebrant of the day was Adama Njie, who is Director of Tourism Promotion for the Gambia in the United Kingdom; covering Ireland, Central and Eastern Europe.
Before now, Njie, who is well disposed, friendly and self-effacing and indeed a true marketer and diplomat, has at different times held several positions in the service of his country; some of which include Director of Marketing and Director General of the Gambia Tourism Board (GTB).
He is a familiar name and face in the Nigerian scene especially in the tourism sector where he is a key player, as he has on different occasions and for years visited and led his country’s efforts at promoting Gambians tourism in Nigeria.
Majestically and colourfully dressed, and looking resplendent in his Gambia traditional attire, which is akin to the Senegalese dress, as we know it in Nigeria. The Gambians also enjoy that style of dressing.
He was ushered into the arena with drumming, dancing and singing by the town muses and entertainers that have gathered together, waiting in the wings for his arrival. Dancing and exchange of pleasantries done with, it was time for business, as the compere of the event, Ganiyu Akiniyi, a younger brother of the King, took over.
Prayers were offered and then the chairman of the day, Ambassador Garciano Oladipupo Martins, who is also the Olorogun of Ishaga Akiniyi Kingdom, gave a brief remark, welcoming everyone to the special occasion, which he described as epoch making for the kingdom.
Moments after, installation of Adama Njie and his wife, Mrs Nyanya Secka Njie, as the ‘Borokini’ and ‘Yeye Borokini’ of Ishaga Akinniyi Kingdom, respectively, though the wife was absent, was briskly performed in the open by the chiefs entrusted with the duty.
It was a colourful and entertaining ceremony that was heralded by music and dancing by the cultural troupe, with masked and Eyo Masquerade dancers thrown into the mix. Thereafter, the people were lavishly entertained with different sumptuous foods and drinks, to their fill.
Diplomatic handshake
Your discovery is that King Francis Femi Akinniyi is a smart and forward looking urbane king, who is focused on developing his community courting ties not only with Nigerians but with the international communities, as he believes strongly in integration and direct foreign investment, which will not only benefit his community but also Nigeria as country.
This is evident from the smart move of courting the Gambians and their government as worthy allies for the pursuit of his vision. Installing the new Borokini and Yeye Borokini, is part of the grand scale design by him to win the confidence of the people.
Before now, King Akiniyi, who looks eagerly to having the Nigeria-Gambia Chamber of Commerce in place and the building of Banjul House in his community, has extended such gestures to some other foreign personalities and countries.
The list include: the conferment of chieftaincy title on the former Consul General of Brazil and his wife, to Nigeria who are now in Bolivia; Ambassador Chief (Mrs) Ivana Panizzi Luz Soare, the Mae Do Rei of Ishaga Kingdom; and the former Consul General of France and the Commercial Counsellor of embassy of France.
Significance
The king of Akinniyi Ishaga Kingdom, Francis Femi Akinniyi, described the ceremony as signifying regional integration, which he said he is committed to.
Interview excerpt
“I’m grateful to the Gambia government and tourism board. “I sincerely appreciate the Gambia Tourism Board (GTB) and the entire citizenry of the Gambia and my very good friend, Chief Adama Njie, who is now a chief in my kingdom today, we have been very good friends for a very long time.
Icon
“He is the promoter of Gambia tourism, and he is an icon. What we are doing today is what we can call regional solidarity and we will continue to promote the Gambia alongside Chief Njie because Njie has been a very nice person from the first day we met when Momodou Ceesay was in Nigeria before he moved to the Gambia.
“The Gambia and GTB should be grateful to Njie because he is someone that can build relationships between countries. What he is doing is bringing direct foreign investment to the Gambia in his own way.
He is trying to attract foreign direct investment to the Gambia because that is very important. “Becoming an ambassador or a diplomat is not a tea party, you have to bring something back to the country and that is what Njie is doing.
In this regard, once again, I say thank you to GTB for the handsome donation to our kingdom “I told Ceesay and Njie before Ceesay left Nigeria that because of our genuine love for the Gambia that we have a small piece of land here in our kingdom where he can build Banjul House.
“We have been on it for over five years and we are still waiting. I know that if Chief Njie is in charge as the Gambia High Commissioner in Nigeria he would have done something about it. “Until now they have yet to do anything about the documentation. But I am now sending Njie to the government of the Gambia to tell them about our love and the package that we have for them and what we are expecting from them too.”
Collaboration
“We want them to come over and collaborate with us and let’s have a place where everybody can call home.
They can come and see themselves as part of our kingdom and we can go to the Gambia too and see ourselves as part of the ‘Smiling Coast of Africa’. “We are brothers, this is brotherhood, fraternity.
When it comes to tourism, the Gambia is second to none, it is a peaceful place and I have been telling Nigerians who want to go for vacation to go to the Gambia and experience the best.”
Romance
“Njie is behind my romance with the Gambia. I think this was over five years ago. It started when he came to Nigeria and he even came with a package for me and since then I have been promoting the Gambia. Anything that will promote the Gambia I am willing to do. I don’t regret knowing Njie.
“He is a brother and part and parcel of this kingdom and I want him to remain here. He has a place in my kingdom. “Njie is a big fish because the first time I met him I sensed that this man must not go away and today that relationship is now solid.
Growth
“It is for Njie to come and let me give him a plot here so that he can build a country home. ”He doesn’t need to stay in the hotel or liaison office in Abuja anymore once he comes to Nigeria but rather he comes down here. “Let me tell you something, Njie and other chiefs are part and parcel of this kingdom.
This is not a ceremonial chieftaincy title, the right I have here he too has it and I have transferred it to him. This is now his second home. “I am the happiest person on earth today because for him to fly in from the United Kingdom is very important for me and I am so proud of him. He has a very genuine love and I will continue to pray for him.”
