The Day Adenike, Tolulope Bury Dad In Royal Style

The remains of a foremost broadcaster and pioneer General Manager of Radio O-Y-O, Mr Frederick Adekunle Adeleke, were laid to rest in Ibadan on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, amid a colourful royal farewell.

No fewer than 10 traditional rulers graced the reception held at Sunlight Royal Event Centre, Ibadan, to honour the late broadcaster, philanthropist and educationist.

Adeleke, who was the founder of NICKDEL Group of Schools, was among the Permanent Secretaries inherited by the newly created Osun State from the old Oyo State in 1991.

He worked briefly with the first Executive Governor of Osun State, the late Gov. Adetunji Isiaka Adeleke (Serubawon), before retiring from public service in 1992.

At a tribute night held on Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Agodi, one of the late broadcaster’s beneficiaries, Oba Dr Ademola Stephen Kayode, the Owa of Igbajo, described him as a “God-sent” to his life.

The monarch said Adeleke had moulded him from his days after secondary school and had remained a major influence in his life for about 40 years.

It was also stated at the tribute that Adeleke had assisted several people who had gone on to attain great heights in life.

One of the testimonies came from the Asiwaju of Osogbo, Justice Kunle Adeigbe (rtd.), who said the deceased was instrumental to his career growth, having served as his first Confidential Secretary in 1975 at the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service (WNBS).

A native of Iragbiji, Adeleke held the traditional title of Basorun of Iragbiji, among several other traditional titles.

He is survived by two children, Dr Mrs Adenike Aina and Mrs Tolulope Okikiolu.

Among the royal fathers at the reception was Sooko Laekun of Ife, Prince Bimbo Ogunwusi, a close family friend and representative of the Ooni of Ife.

Other traditional rulers present included the Owa of Igbajo, Oba Dr Ademola S.K. Makinde; Aragbiji of Iragbiji; HRM Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Olufon of Ifon, His Imperial Majesty Oba Peter Oluwole Akiyooye; Aree of Iree, Oba Muritala Omotayo Oyelakin (Oyekun III); Afaáji of Faji, Oba Moshood Olawale Olaleke (Olaleke II); Alabere of Abere, Oba Adefemi Mutalib Adelakin; and Onikoka of Koka, Oba Dr Amos Operinmade Adejumo.

Also in attendance was the Seriki Yoruba Arewa, Alhaji Murtala Adeleke.

The farewell ceremony, organised by the children of the deceased, was well attended, with tributes, pomp and pageantry in honour of the late broadcaster.

Fare thee well, Chief Frederick Adekunle Adeleke, mni.