Chief Àràbà Awodiran Agboola

CHIEF AWODIRAN AYINDE OKANLAWON AGBOOLA ARABA OF OWORONSHOKI KINGDOM, LAGOS, NIGERIA BIOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND. Chief Awodiran Okanlawon Ayinde Agboola was born on the 1st of March 1960 in Lagos, Nigeria. He comes from a family acclaimed to be one of the authorities on Yoruba Traditional Institutions (Ifa) His father Chief Akano Fasina Agboola was the Araba of Lagos from 1984 to 14th of September 1991 when he joined his Ancestors. His Mother Late Mrs. Mojisola Olasinde Agboola was a daughter of Late Akano Fasina Agboola’s Ifa’s teacher (oluwo), Late Chief Aberefa Ogunjobi, Who also became Araba of Ode Omu. Chief Awodiran Agboola’s parents knew no other religion and it was prophesied at birth that he would become a Babalawo, as his father, Grandfather and great - Grandfather were before him, hence the name Awodiran which means “Ifa is Hereditary. Despite this prophesy, Awodiran’s father believed in education, Hence he made sure his children went to school in addition to Ifa Training. Chief Awodiran Ayinde Agboola obtained his Higher National Diploma (H.N.D) with upper credit in Business Administration from the Lagos College of Science and Technology now Lagos State Polytechnic Isolo Lagos Nigeria in 1983. He went for his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and was employed as a Business and Management Consultant by a firm of Management Consultants in Ikeja, Lagos. “Remember the son of whom you are” So the adage says made Chief Awodiran Agboola to resign his appointment and became a full time practicing Babalawo (Ifa Priest) in 1985. His first Chieftaincy Title was Erinmi of Ijo Orunmila Ato, was conferred on 1st of August 1992. Secondly, was Conferred with the Title “Asoju Awo Agbaye” Ile Ife meaning “World Ambassador of Ifa, by Chief Adisa Aworeni, The Araba Agbaye of ile ife on 27th May 1995 with the consent and blessings of His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuade oni of ife. Before his movement to his new house at 5 Akin-labake street, Akerele Estate, Oworoshoki, Lagos in 2001, Chief Awodiran Agboola who lived at the Family House at 56 Odunfa Street Ebute- metta, Lagos Mainland, was honored by his immediate community with the title “Aare Awo of Lagos Mainland Meaning Leader of Ifa Priests, by his uncle, Chief Fatumbi Fasina, The Araba of Lagos Mainland with the consent of his Royal Majesty Alayeluwa Oba Ganiyu Odewale Odesanya, Oba of Oto, Onido and Lagos Mainland on the 10th of December 1997. In fulfillment of his destiny, he was conferred with the highest title in Ifa Tradition “Araba of Oworoshoki Kingdom”, by his Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Basiru Oloruntoyin saliu, Oba of Oworoshoki Kingdom on 26th July 2006........................... Chief Awodiran Agboola who have visited various countries such as United States of America, England, Brazil and Venezuela for traditional religious purposes is the author Of various books such as Ifa: GOD’s sacred Message to Mankind and Ifa: Philosophy of life. These Traditional Chieftaincy titles mentioned above are in recognition of one’s service in African Traditional systems and are only awarded to people who have demonstrated a high degree of competence in Ifa Spiritual Practices. As a result, his responsibilities to his community are numerous requiring him to operate on a full time basis. The Araba of Oworoshoki Kingdom is also the holder of the following titles and awards 1. Recipient of Certificate of Honors as a custodian and representative of Yoruba Cultural Practices by Wajumbe Cultural Institution of centre for Africa and African American Art and Culture, 762 fulton street, Sanfransisco California U.S.A on 28th December 1998. Chief Agboola was visiting USA during the Period. 2. Member, Board of Trustees, International Council for Ifa Religion incorporated, R C 14074 3. Member, Board of Trustees, Ajo Babalawo Alewelegbo, Incorporated 4. General Secretary, Association of African Traditional Religion, Nigeria and Oversea (AATREN) 5. The secretary, Indigene faith of Africa, Inc, established in 1939 6. Founder, President and Chief Priest, Osa Oloyan Temple. 7. Patron, Association of Yoruba Students, Faculty of African Studies, University of Lagos. 8. Foundation Fellow and Head of Department, Faculty of Ifa and orisa studies, Lagos Nigeria. 9. Adviser, Ifa International Training Institute, Lagos, Nigeria. 10. Patrons Award by Black Shadow foundation on 8/4/2007 11. Merit Award by Nigeria Traditional Medical Association on 29/11/2007 12. Role Model Gold Award by Today’s People International 15/12/2007 13. African Leadership Role Model Gold Award by Leadership Digest International 16/12/2007 14. Southern Nigeria Role Model Award by Sakon Publication 17/7/2008 15. Former Financial Secretary, International Congress for Orisa Culture and Tradition. 16. Former Secretary, Attestation and Accreditation committee of Lagos State Board of Traditional Medicine, A department of Lagos State Ministry of Health. 17. Chief Awodiran Agboola is entrusted with the administration of the Estate of his Late Father by being appointed as one of the Executors and Trustees of the will by his Late Father who had 35 children Chief Awodiran Agboola is married with Children. His Hobbies include Watching Soccer, Lawn Tennis and narrating great Stories to his children and subjects like Orunmila ,Who is known as “Opitan Ife” Meaning Great Historian of Ife.