When Oba Shotobi sent invitations to close friends to honour him by following him to receive an award bestowed on him by the President of the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro on January 30, 2016, not many people believed that any individual would spend more than one million naira to accompany him to receive the great award.
Oba Shotobi disappointed sceptics who believed that only a few people would follow him. Rather, on January 24, 2016, more than forty Nigerians who believe in him and his vision/mission not only paid for the airfare, but also paid for the five star accommodation in High Point, North Carolina, while about twenty people from different states in America joined their Nigerian counterparts to honour His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu and his family.
By 2pm on January 30, 2016, trust Ikorodu people, who dressed gorgeously with cultural meanings, arrived to the ecstasy of the Americans, who were impressed about the display of the Nigerian culture at the museum centre.
The Nigerian guests came in convoy with two air-conditional buses while the Kabiyesi, his wife, Publisher of Oriwu Sun, Chief Monzor Olowosago, Chief Kaoli Olusanya, Ayodele Elesho and two family women, namely Alhaja Nimotallah Bili-Gafar and Alhaja Akinpelu were in the exquisite limousine with Dr. Brown’s new wife together with Kabiyesi’s lika.
It was a royal visit to the museum as Kabiyesi and his beautiful wife stepped out of the limousine to unveil his statue.
The Co-founders of the museum, namely Mr. Melving “Skip” Alston, Mr. Earl Jones and staffers were already waiting to receive Oba Shotobi and his guests for the event proper to start. As soon as they entered, it was time for a lecture organized by the museum Board of Trustees (BoT) before unveiling the Oba’s statue.
Inside the hall, more than three hundred people were seated, waiting to receive the lecture before the unveiling proper. After a brief introduction by the co-founder and Kabiyesi’s former lecturer at A&T University, Professor Harold Martin, it was time for Kabiyesi to deliver his address, supported by his wife on the high table.
Oba Shotobi then collected the microphone and displayed joy and happiness, when he saw his former teacher, Prof. Harold Martin, who is also the President of A&T University. He showed encomium on him.
Oba Shotobi said he was proud that he did not disappoint his lecturers and the people of the University but feel elated that his statue is in that museum. He said that the unveiling is not only a plus for Nigeria but also for Ikorodu Community, stating that ,“Whatever we have does not belong to us but to God. I will continue to struggle for other people to make them feel belonged.”
He, therefore, thanked all the people, who contributed in making sure his statue was erected, assuring that every year, he would participate in Black Museum anniversary.
The monarch further stated that blacks and whites are human and should be able to build strong relationships, not only nationally, but also in the state and communities.
After the one hour lecture, it was time for the cocktail for all the guests, which lasted about twenty minutes before the unveiling proper. The statue was unveiled on the ground floor after the cocktail.
It was a moment everybody was waiting for as the Kabiyesi, wife, Lika, Kabiyesi’s chiefs and more than sixty guests present witnessed the unveiling. It was a very emotional moment when guests saw Kabiyesi’s photographs and those of family members, advisory council, Monzor Olowosago, Kaoli Olusanya, displayed inside the statue frame with the Nigerian flag. Other things displayed were Kabiyesi’s paraphernalia of office.
The beauty of it was that each item of the paraphernalia of office was explained in English for visitors. Included in the unveiling glass were crown, robes, cap, walking stick, shoes, horsetail, beads, family members’ photographs, Oba Shotobi group photograph with Monzor Olowosago and Kaoli Olusanya.
For about thirty minutes, it was comment galore as all the guests appreciated the museum officials, who told the audience that Kabiyesi was the only king in Africa to have his statue there.
OBA SHOTOBI’S STATUE UNVEILED AT THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS CENTER & MUSEUM IN NORTH CAROLINA
The hundreds of Nigerians, Americans and other nationalities, who witnessed the chieftaincy installation of Chief (Dr.) Brown the previous night, had not quite gotten over the euphoria of that colourful event when they and the International community of mostly blacks and other Americans gathered at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro North Carolina for the unveiling of the statue of an African king.
It was an event that showcased the beauty of the western culture and civilization, the finesse of diplomatic protocols and the essence of intellectualism.
Saturday, January 30, 2016 was the second day His Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, was to be in global search light. He was the man of the moment, the first African King whose statue, whose coronation materials will be permanently unveiled and displayed in that famous museum established to highlight civil rights struggle in the USA.
Oba Shotobi had arrived the Center with his wife and a large entourage of chiefs, indigenes of Ikorodu and other Nigerians. They were given a rousing welcome while the royalty was ushered to a top floor of the center for the formal ceremony.
The monarch was dressed in a befitting robe with his queen, both of them exuding confidence and joy in their hearts as they waited the commencement of the event, which was a kind of preview of the recipients of the award that took place later that day.
Because Oba Shotobi was an award recipient and a provider of museum objects (artifacts), he was given a greater recognition and accorded a special honour.
A simple podium and speech pulpit were on this floor. About six different personalities mounted the speech box to say one or two things, each very brief. Each comment was related to the event and to the people being honoured.
As in a relay race, the baton of speech moved from one hand or mouth to the other until it came to the vice chancellor of A&T University.
This was the man, who taught Oba Kabir Shotobi about thirty two (32) years ago in his university in North Carolina. Today, he is a Vice Chancellor. He recalled the years with the young Nigerian student, who was focused and maintained good records. Today, he is a king and is being celebrated. He felt proud to have been part of those who raised this successful Nigerian as his university celebrates its 125th anniversary.
One of the speakers had spoken on the significance of sit-in-campaign which began fifty six years ago and the achievements of the civil rights activities which produced the international center and the museum now making its 6th anniversary awards.
The speaker acknowledge the contribution of Oba Shotobi in the promotion of the values of global culture and objects for future generation to appreciate.
Each of the ten award recipients present made brief remarks and speeches each one highlighting his or her experience during the sit in year, while some analysed the significance of the equality battles of those years.
His Majesty Oba Shotobi was given a special privilege to speak. He appreciated his teacher who is today a vice chancellor and recalled his dormitory years in the university and how he experienced the vibrations of the civil rights activists and the racial hangovers of those struggles.
He appreciated his mentor Dr. Brown noting that the education he gained from the United States was not for him alone but for his people back in Nigeria to benefit from.
He was grateful to Americans and to his countrymen (Nigerians) who accompanied him to the US saying he will not disappoint them at all.
He thanked Dr. Brown for hosting him in October/November last year during which he took him and his delegation to several places of interest and importance saying he will remain eternally grateful to.
The segments of this event took place across three floors of the museum. The co-founders of the center led guests to the three floors of the museum. The co-founders of the center took turns to speak before the unveiling of the statue which was blessed in a Christian manner. The kings coronation materials (original copies) – crowns, robes etc. The king’s photograph, the king’s photo with publisher of Oriwu Sun, Chief Monzor Olowosago and the chairman of the kings Advisory Council, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, the kings family (see pix) were on display to the admiration of everyone. The main significance of this unveiling is that these objects and photos will be permanent for life in this museum.
A cocktail reception (not the kind of satanic cocktail terrorists are serving humanity across the globe) but one symbolizing unity and equality of all races followed the unveiling. It took place on the 2nd floor of the magnificent museum/center constructed at the site of the commencement of the sit-in-protests in 1960.
