The story of Oniba Ekun's rise from a labourer to a monarch

Sulaimon Adeshina Raji is the existent Oniba Ekun (King) of Iba Kingdom successful Lagos State, Nigeria. Also known arsenic Ashade I oregon Jafo Authority, helium ascended the throne successful May 2020 aft the passing of the erstwhile monarch, Oba Goriola Yishau Oseni. Oniba Ekun is besides a celebrated entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Oniba Ekun successful a achromatic accepted attire with golden accents (L). Oniba Ekun successful reddish accepted attire with bead necklace (R). Photo: @hrmoba_onibaekun_ connected Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

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Key takeaways

• Oniba Ekun is simply a accepted ruler successful Nigeria, specifically the Oniba of Iba Land successful Lagos.
• His afloat sanction is H.R.M. Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji-Ashade.
• Oniba ascended the throne arsenic the Oniba of the Iba Kingdom connected 7 December 2020.
• He succeeded Oba Goriola Yishau Oseni, who ruled for 45 years earlier passing distant successful 2020.

Profile summary

Full name	Sulaimon Adeshina Raji
Famous as	Oniba Ekun of Iba Land
Gender	Male
Date of birth	5 May 1954
Age	71 years aged (as of 2025)
Zodiac	Taurus
Place of birth	Iba, Nigeria
Current residence	Lagos, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
State of origin	Lagos State
Ethnicity	African
Sexuality	Straight
Religion	Christianity
Hair colour	Black
Eye colour	Dark brown
Father	Oba Oseni of blessed memory
Relationship status	Married
Wife	Olori Agba of Oniba Ekun
School	Local Authority Primary School
Profession	King, philanthropist, businessperson

Oniba Ekun’s biography

The Oniba of Iba Ekun, Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Adesina Sulaimon Raji, was calved and raised successful Lagos State, Nigeria. He hails from the Idowu Balogun subdivision of the Idomila ruling location successful Iba.

On 9 September 2023, during an interview with Punch, Oniba Ekun, Oba (Dr.) Sulaimon Adeshina Raji spoke astir his royal practice and however some sides of his household person heavy accepted roots. He said:

I americium from a royal household successful Iba and my parent is from a royal household successful Igbesa, Ogun State. You tin spot that my parents are from royal families. My children tin besides go kings owed to my mother’s royalty background. My father’s mother, from Ogun State, was besides from a royal family. My gramps is from Iba wherever I americium a king.

Five accelerated facts astir Oniba Ekun. Photo: @hrmoba_onibaekun_ connected Instagram (modified by author)
Source: Original

On 31 October 2020, via a heartfelt Facebook post, Oniba Ekun shared a touching tribute to his father, reflecting his power connected his life. He wrote:

The astir important power successful my puerility was my father. I commune Almighty Allah assistance each the Fathers successful the world, including me, the grace to nonstop our kids to the close portion and we volition ne'er devour the effect of our Labour successful the Grave.

He added:

Father I privation to specially convey you for everything astir particularly for the Tolaerance, whitethorn Almighty Allah springiness you agelong beingness to spot much greatness successful Life

From okada person to royalty: Oba Raji’s inspiring rise

Oniba Ekun posing for a representation connected the thoroughfare during a vacation. Photo: @hrmoba_onibaekun_ connected Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

After the decease of the erstwhile king, Oba Goriola Yishau Oseni, connected 25 May 2020, the kingmakers chose Oba Raji to instrumentality the throne. His assignment was aboriginal confirmed by a tribunal ruling that upheld his family’s close to nutrient a king.

Before becoming the Oniba of Iba, Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji had a palmy vocation successful proscription and existent estate. He was the president of the Nagari Nakowa Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association. Additionally, helium led the Lagos State section of the National Association of Motorcycle Owners and Riders (NNAMORAL).

During an interrogation with Punch, helium revealed:

I convey God for everything. I was the president of okada riders successful Lagos State. Then, it was tough. In 2015, erstwhile I contested the chairmanship of the association, it was precise tough, but I won. It was betwixt maine and 1 of my brothers, who is simply a Baale now.

He continued:

After the election, we continued the journey, and the relation is the Nagari Nakowa Motorcycles Owners and Riders Association of Lagos. When I became a king, the authorities asked maine to proceed with it. So, they thought it would not disturb my accepted rites.

Oba Raji besides worked arsenic a labourer successful assorted places, including a hotel, wherever helium did menial jobs to gain a living. Notably, helium yet bought 1 of the hotels wherever helium worked arsenic a labourer.

Oba Raji is besides known for his philanthropic efforts and engagement successful societal improvement initiatives wrong and beyond his kingdom.

Oniba Ekun dressed successful achromatic accepted attire with brownish beaded necklace astatine the event. Photo: @hrmoba_onibaekun_ connected Instagram (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Who is Oniba Ekun’s wife?

The Nigerian philanthropist is joined to 2 wives. One of his wives is called Olori Agba of Oniba Ekun. On 2 April 2021, Oba Raji celebrated her birthday and expressed his affection, referring to her arsenic his beauteous wife. Via a Facebook post, helium wrote:

Happy Birthday to you my Honey, the Best Wife and Mother Ever. You marque our Family Shine, adjacent erstwhile the Skies are Grey. I americium truthful blessed to person you by my broadside connected the pugnacious roadworthy of life! Happy Birthday, my Beautiful Wife (Olori Agba Oniba of Iba Kingdom)

Oniba Ekun has respective children with his 2 wives. One of his daughters, Princess Adeshina Barakat Raji Oniba, joined Adedire Adetunji connected 4 October 2024. The wedding instauration ceremonial was attended by galore dignitaries.

Frequently asked questions

1. Which king is Oniba Ekun? Oniba Ekun is the Oniba of Iba Land, a accepted ruler successful Lagos, Nigeria.
2. What is Oniba Ekun's existent name? His existent sanction is Sulaimon Adeshina Raji.
3. Which authorities is Oniba Ekun from? He was calved successful Lagos State, Nigeria.
4. Which people is Oniba Ekun? The Nigerian philanthropist is of the Yoruba taste group.
5. What is Oniba Ekun's age? Oniba Ekun of Iba Kingdom is 71 years aged arsenic of 2025. He was calved connected 5 May 1954.
6. Who is Oniba Ekun's wife? The Nigerian king is joined to 2 wives. One of his wives is called Olori Agba of Oniba Ekun.

Sulaimon Adeshina Raji, besides known arsenic Jafo Authority oregon Ashade I, holds the esteemed rubric of Oniba Ekun of Iba Kingdom, a accepted Yoruba monarchy successful Lagos State, Nigeria. As a king, helium plays a important relation successful preserving the taste practice and traditions of the Iba community.

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Source: Legit.ng