…….Who is Prince Adeboye Adetokunbo Williams Adewale Ofokutu?
A Biographical Insight into Prince Adeboye Adetokunbo Williams Adewale
Born 48 years ago, Prince Adeboye Adetokunbo Williams Adewale hails from the esteemed Ofokutu Royal Family of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House in Ilesa. His name, embodying the belief that a man’s name defines his destiny, was chosen when his father was installed as Loja Ajemba of Ijemba Ijesa by the late Oba Peter Adeniran Agunlejika, former Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. His family heritage is further enriched with ties to the Bilagbayo Ruling House and the Odo Ijesa lineage through his mother, also a princess.
Prince Adeboye’s educational journey began at CAC Primary School, Okesa, Ilesa, followed by Obokun High School. After completing his post-secondary education at the Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun, he pursued law at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, earning a second-class upper degree in 2007. He was called to the Nigerian Bar on November 18, 2008, after completing his training at the Nigerian Law School.
Dedicated to his community, Prince Adeboye returned to Ilesa, where he began his legal career with Oluwaseun Ajoba & Co before establishing his own firm, Boye Williams & Co. He also earned a master’s degree in law from Obafemi Awolowo University. His commitment to community lawyering shines through his work on several local boards and numerous pro bono cases benefiting Ijesa residents, including his notable efforts during the Owena crisis, which were widely covered by national newspapers like The Punch and Tribune.
Beyond law, Prince Adeboye is also a devoted minister, having founded Christ Gospel Devotional Church Worldwide (CGODEC INT) in 1996, a ministry that has since grown to 42 branches across Nigeria. He holds a diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s degree in theology and has received an honorary doctorate from Harvest Time Bible Institute in the United States. CGODEC INT is a distinguished charity in Ijesaland, recognized for providing free transportation to members since its inception.
A philanthropist at heart, Prince Adeboye has consistently funded WAEC and NECO exam fees for underprivileged students in Ilesa, distributed food and money to over 500 people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and graded the road from Irogbo Junction to Ijemba Ijesa using his own resources.
Prince Adeboye is also the founder of Ijesa-Obokun Radio (TM Nigeria Limited), an Ijesa-dialect radio station awaiting licensure from the federal government. He owns eight houses and several properties in Ilesa, underscoring his unwavering connection to his roots despite having prominent family members abroad, including a senior brother who is the President of the Washington State Bar Association.
Known for his vast knowledge of Ijesa customs and history, Prince Adeboye was nicknamed “Opitan” (Historian) by the late Owa Aromolaran. His legal expertise was frequently sought by the immediate past Owa Obokun, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, particularly for cases HIL/6/2022 and HIL/7/2022.
Prince Adeboye’s service to Ijesaland extends across various organizations, acting as both legal adviser and patron to groups including the Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (Ijesa Chapter), the Nigerian Private Schools Proprietors Association (Ilesa), and the Nigerian Union of Barbers (Ilesa), among others.
He is married to Pastor Dr. Mrs. Omowunmi Adewale, and together, they are blessed with children.