Just six months on the throne, the 19th Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Majesty, Alaiyeluwa Oba (Engr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, outstandingly walked tall in North Caroline, USA on Saturday, January 30, 2016 as he received the distinguished Vanguard Award of the year 2015 at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, where Black Americans celebrated the 56th anniversary of one of the historic events of the Civil Rights Movement in 1960.
Oba Shotobi, who received the award with his wife, Olori Kudirat, in the presence of nearly seventy Nigerians, also witnessed with nostalgia the unveiling of his statue in that magnificent museum in Greensboro, North Carolina, the first African King to be so honoured.
Standing tall among other celebrities including famous TV Presenter, Opral Winfrey, multi billionaire Dr. Robert Brown, other award recipients and a mammoth audience, Oba Shotobi, in appreciation of the honour given to him courtesy of his godfather, Dr. Bob Brown, donated his coronation regalia to the museum for display. The museum director, John Swathe said, “It is intended to help educate the public on other cultures and help people to connect with their roots and culture.”
Kabiyesi Shotobi, recipient of the Vanguard Award of the year, was so recognized not only for his successful career as an Engineer and Oil Marketing businessman, but also for helping the Museum to connect people with their cultures.
Other recipients of the awards at the that took place at AT&T University, Greensboro include Augusta Thomas (sit-in participant), Fred and Janol Whitfield (Life Time Community Service)’ Robert Brown (Unsung Hero), US Representative, Alma Adams (Trailblazer), US Representative, John Lewis (International Historic Legends), Oprah Winfrey (Aston-Jones International Civil and Human Rights).
The sit-in of 1960 was a civilized protest by Black Americans that year against discriminatory and segregative practices of those years by whites against the blacks. One of those who participated in the sit-in recalled that there were different water fountains, bathrooms and dinners for blacks and whites and the white told the blacks, “That is the way it is. Don’t get in the way; don’t get into trouble.” Today, the story is different as Americans (black and white) celebrated together and enjoyed at the gala night organised to mark the anniversary.
Oba Shotobi, his wife, his daughter (Lika), members of his kitchen cabinet and over seventy (70) Nigerians in the Kabiyesi’s entourage, were present at the award ceremony and the gala.
Photo above shows the award recipients led from the left by Oba Shotobi and ended on the right by Olori Kudirat.