Birthday: O.M.I — More Than Royalty
A Birthday Tribute to His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, the Elulu of Mopa
By Hon. J.O. Abel-Ontop, Chief Press Secretary to the Elulu of Mopa
There are kings who wear the crown, and there are kings who understand the responsibility that comes with it. There are monarchs whose royalty is seen in the splendour of the palace, while there are others whose royalty is measured by the lives they touch, the people they unite, the communities they inspire and the legacy they build. His Royal Majesty, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, the Elulu of Mopa, belongs to the latter.
O.M.I — Oba Muyiwa Ibeun — is truly More Than Royalty.
As Kabiyesi marks another year of life, it is not enough to celebrate only the occupant of the revered throne of the Elulu of Mopa. We celebrate a father, a bridge-builder, a development-minded traditional ruler, a custodian of culture and a monarch whose understanding of royalty goes far beyond the crown on his head.
For O.M.I, the throne is not merely an inheritance. It is a responsibility to unite, a responsibility to protect peace, a responsibility to preserve culture, a responsibility to give the people a voice, a responsibility to create opportunities and, above all, a responsibility to leave Mopa and Mopamuro better than he met them.
Since his emergence as the fourth Elulu of Mopa, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun has demonstrated a clear desire to bring a contemporary understanding of leadership into the traditional institution. His reign has combined respect for age-old customs with an appreciation of the realities of today’s society. It is a quality that was recognised even before his coronation, when he was described as a bridge between tradition and modernity.
MORE THAN A CROWN
The true test of a monarch is not how magnificent the crown looks, but what the crown accomplishes. Under O.M.I, the traditional institution has increasingly become a platform for dialogue, reconciliation, development advocacy and community mobilisation.
Kabiyesi has consistently placed peace and development at the centre of his royal mission. He has made it clear that peace and tranquillity within his domain remain among his foremost responsibilities as a traditional ruler.
This philosophy is reflected in his engagements with traditional rulers, community leaders and people across Mopamuro. In March 2025, for instance, the Elulu embarked on a familiarisation tour of traditional rulers in the Amuro axis. Beyond paying traditional respects, the engagement provided an opportunity to promote unity within the Traditional Council and encourage communities to properly document their developmental needs for presentation to the appropriate authorities.
That is O.M.I beyond royalty. It is leadership that listens, leadership that engages, leadership that connects the people with institutions and leadership that understands that meaningful development cannot be achieved from the palace alone.
A KING WHO UNDERSTANDS THE POWER OF UNITY
Mopamuro is made up of communities, traditions, personalities and interests. Bringing people together requires more than authority. It requires wisdom, patience, understanding and deliberate engagement.
Kabiyesi has repeatedly preached unity among the people and among traditional rulers. His message has also extended beyond Mopa to the wider Okun community, where he has used his position to advocate cooperation, understanding and collective development.
The recognition of his role by the Okun Development Association is significant. In May 2026, the organisation described his first two years on the throne as characterised by dignity, accessibility and purposeful leadership, while acknowledging his contribution to community cohesion, cultural pride, peacebuilding, youth engagement and development advocacy.
This is why O.M.I means More Than Royalty. Royalty gives him the throne, but service gives meaning to the throne.
A CUSTODIAN OF CULTURE
A people without culture are a people without a historical compass. Oba Muyiwa Ibeun understands this.
His reign has placed considerable emphasis on cultural rejuvenation and the preservation of Mopa’s identity. He has spoken about the importance of culture as an instrument for patriotism, peace and development, while traditional events under his leadership have provided opportunities for the people to celebrate their heritage and strengthen communal bonds.
The Mopa Adegbederin Day celebration in December 2024, for example, brought together traditional rulers, dignitaries and members of the community in a celebration of Mopa’s rich cultural heritage. The occasion also provided an opportunity to recognise community contributors and install traditional chiefs.
For Kabiyesi, culture is not simply about looking backwards. It is about taking the best of yesterday into tomorrow. It is about preserving the values that define a people while preparing the next generation for the future.
A ROYAL FATHER WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL VISION
One of the defining features of the O.M.I era is the effort to make the traditional institution more purposeful in matters of community development.
His administration has encouraged structures and engagements aimed at supporting development, while his interactions with government officials have created opportunities to draw attention to the needs of Mopamuro and seek appropriate interventions.
Government officials have also acknowledged the developmental character of his reign. Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described his first year on the throne as peaceful and impactful, citing peace, unity, safety, progress and growth in Mopamuro and commending the monarch’s influence in attracting development.
The Commissioner had earlier described Oba Ibeun as a “unifier and a generational bridge,” noting the role of his reign in stimulating development and progress in Mopamuro.
Such commendations do not suggest that every challenge facing Mopamuro has disappeared. No responsible leader should make such a claim. What they demonstrate, however, is that there is a record of engagement, advocacy and visible effort. And that effort deserves recognition.
MORE THAN ROYALTY, EVEN IN THE FACE OF CRITICISM
Every public institution attracts opinions. Every leader has admirers and critics. The traditional institution is no exception.
Oba Muyiwa Ibeun has faced criticism and disagreements, particularly concerning aspects of his emergence and some decisions taken during his reign. Reports have documented opposing positions concerning the process through which he became Elulu. At the time, however, the Mopa kingmakers publicly affirmed that the selection process was fair, credible and transparent.
More recently, there have also been criticisms concerning some decisions of the monarch relating to traditional titles and palace affairs. These disagreements are part of the public conversation surrounding his reign. They should, however, be approached through responsible dialogue and appropriate channels rather than personal attacks.
Criticism should not automatically be interpreted as failure. At the same time, praise should not prevent a leader from listening. A leader must be judged by his record, his conduct, his intentions, his ability to listen and, most importantly, the overall impact of his leadership.
And on that score, the O.M.I story is still being written.
The appropriate response to disagreement is not division; it is dialogue. The appropriate response to criticism is not bitterness; it is accountability where necessary and continued service where justified. And the appropriate response to a developing reign is not premature judgment; it is patience, constructive engagement and an honest assessment of what is being achieved.
WHY O.M.I MUST BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE HIS ROYAL MISSION
Mopa does not need a throne that merely occupies a palace. Mopa needs a throne that speaks for its people, a monarch who can engage government, a monarch who can speak to the younger generation, a monarch who can work with traditional rulers across communities, a monarch who can preserve culture while embracing modernity, a monarch who can attract attention to the needs of his people and a monarch who can build bridges rather than walls.
These are some of the qualities that make a strong case for allowing Oba Muyiwa Ibeun’s developmental vision to mature.
A reign cannot be fairly measured only in months or a handful of years. Institutions require time to consolidate. Development requires continuity. Trust requires consistency. Communities also need stability to build upon whatever progress has been achieved.
The answer to the imperfections of a reign should not automatically be the destruction of the institution or the rejection of every achievement.
Where there are genuine concerns, let them be discussed. Where there are legitimate criticisms, let them be examined. Where there are mistakes, let them be corrected. But where there is progress, let it also be acknowledged.
Leadership is not about perfection. It is about responsibility, learning, service and the courage to keep moving forward.
O.M.I: MORE THAN ROYALTY
Today, therefore, as Chief Press Secretary to His Royal Majesty, I do not celebrate O.M.I merely because he is my principal. I celebrate him because I have witnessed a monarch who understands that the greatest privilege of occupying a throne is the opportunity to serve.
O.M.I is More Than Royalty. He is a father to the people, a voice for unity, an advocate for development, a custodian of culture, a bridge between generations, a bridge between tradition and modernity, a bridge between the palace and the people, and a bridge between Mopa and the wider world.
Kabiyesi, on this special occasion of your birthday, may history continue to record your reign not merely by the number of years you spend on the throne, but by the number of lives your leadership touches, the communities your vision inspires, the conflicts your wisdom helps prevent, the opportunities your influence creates and the legacy you ultimately leave behind.
May the Almighty continue to grant Your Royal Majesty the wisdom to lead, the courage to make difficult decisions, the humility to listen, the strength to serve and the good health to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
May your reign continue to witness peace in Mopa, progress in Mopamuro, unity in Okunland and honour for the ancient throne of your forefathers.
Happy Birthday, Your Royal Majesty.
Hon. J.O. Abel-Ontop,
Chief Press Secretary to the Elulu of Mopa