Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo

Dr. Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo Adenrele Ademefun Kiladejo , or Jilo III, was appointed the 44th Osemawe, or traditional ruler of the Ondo Kingdom in Nigeria on 1 December 2006. He was crowned on 29 December 2008 at a ceremony attended by dignitaries including the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Agagu, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, and the leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.

Birth, early life and education

Kiladejo was born in Ondo, on November 11, 1953, to the family of Prince Gbadebo Adedoyin Kiladejo (Edilokun) and his wife, Prophetess Julianah Olusola Kiladejo (nee Ajayi). He is the eldest of the 22 children of his father, who was of the Okuta Ruling House; and a direct descendant of Púpùpú, the founding monarch of Ondo.

Kiladejo was educated at St. Patrick's Primary School, Akure, and Ondo Anglican Grammar School, Ondo. In 1974, Kiladejo gained admission to University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), to study Medicine.

Ascension of the throne of Òsemàwé

Kiladejo ascended the throne on December 1, 2006, as the 44th Òsemàwé and Paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom. He was formally crowned on December 29, 2008. He is the third Òsemàwé in history to come from the Jilo linage of the Okuta Ruling House.

Rallying point for development

Kiladejo encourages indigenes and non-indigenes alike to establish businesses in the Kingdom; and drove the Ondo City Vision initiative, which led to the formal proclamation of Ondo as a City, in December 2015. Earlier, in the year 2010, Àbáìyé presided over the celebration of the 500th year of the Òsemàwé dynasty. One of the more important outcomes of the latter celebration was the production of a book, titled The Evolution of Ondo Kingdom over 500 years, 1510-2010+, edited by Professor S. Ibidapo Ajayi, of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and published in Ibadan, by Spectrum Books, in 2013.

One of the very first community radio stations in Nigeria, “Eki FM,” debuted under Kiladejo; just as the community witnessed the establishment of three universities, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, University of Medical Sciences, and Wesley University – federal, State, and private, respectively – under Kiladejo. Kiladejo also oversaw the reconstruction of the Moférere Market, and the city's sports stadium. Under Kiladejo, the Redeemed Christian Church of God established "the biggest intensive care centre" at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo.

In his individual capacity, and as a medical doctor, Kiladejo periodically provides free health services to the aged, inmates of correctional centres, diabetics, and hypertensive patients in the Kingdom, through his non-governmental organization, “The Oba Kiladejo Crown Foundation,” which also organizes – in partnership with the US-based SMILE Foundation – an annual festival of surgery for children with cleft lips and palate, in the community. The University is owned by the Methodist Church of Nigeria.

Culture and development anchor

Kiladejo coordinates the 44 traditional festivals celebrated by the Ondo Èkímògún people every year. He holds court at the Palace ùghà (traditional consultative assembly) once in a week, and provides leadership to the Ondo Development Committee (ODC), the Kingdom’s official anchor of the various developmental initiatives, to which every Òsemàwé has served as Patron since it debuted in 1986.

Awards and recognitions

Kiladejo is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. He also holds the fellowship of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners. Among the several recognitions he has earned are, African Leader of Integrity Award; Nigeria Merit Award in the Sphere of Human Medicines; Award of Excellence, by Ibadan Golf Club; Award of Excellence, by National Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria; Service of Humanity Award, by Rotary International District 9119; Grand Commander of Peace and Security of Nigeria (HCPSN), by National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); Award of Excellence, by Zenith International; Most Impactful Royal Father of the Year 2017; and distinguished member of 50 Outstanding Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.