In a carnival-like cultural extravaganza, a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Adeshola Adepoju, was recently conferred with the Asiwaju of Ogbomosho title by the Paramount Ruler and Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Alayeluwá Soun Ghandi Olaoye Orumogege III. Also, his wife, Bukola Adepoju, was conferred with the title, Yeye of Ogbomosho kingdom.  A Professor of Agriculture, Adepoju is the immediate past Director-General of Nigeria’s Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), a UNESCO-recognised agricultural research institute with headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Asiwaju title is a prestigious Yoruba title meaning “leader,” “frontrunner,” or “champion.”  

It was bestowed on Adepoju in recognition of his leadership qualities and his numerous accomplishments and contributions to the development of the Ogbomosho kingdom.
 
Apart from being a renowned academic, pastor, and administrator, Adepoju is a community leader and philanthropist who is committed to the holistic development of his community, his state, and the country, in general.
 
While congratulating the couple, the Continental Overseer of RCCG, Continental 2, Abuja, Pastor Ezekiel A. Odeyemi, encouraged Christians to accept honours and leadership roles in their communities
   
Adepoju was educated at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in Agricultural and Environmental Economics in 2002.
 
He got the postgraduate Doctoral Fellowship at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, and when rounding off, he joined Leventis Foundation as Head, Rural Enterprises Development, where he applied his expertise to advance sustainable livelihoods and promote rural transformation.