Meet Dr Toyin Kolade --Iyalaje Oodua

The Iyalaje Oodua 

I know she stands out as a Bussiness woman and a Cultural Ambassador. 

She loves the promotion of culture

But she cared more about her people than all those things. She showed the courage of Yeyelagagba (1588-1590) the first woman Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesa land. She showed the bravery of Yeyegunrogbo (1590 -1600) who succeeded Yeyelagagba in the same position. 

Princess Toyin Kolade is the Iyalaje of Oodua . Omo Owa omo Ekun

Obinrin pelenge apoira chose to be the Moremi of Ijesa Land, ready to make herself a sacrificial lamb for the protection of the dignity of Yorubaland. Shes always ready to help and support her people. 

Like Queen Hangbe of Dahomey (1716-1718) who created one of the fiercest women infantry soldiers in history, known as the Mino or Minon which means “our mothers” or ahosi meaning “king’s wives” in Fon Language,  Iyalaje  Toyin has always been an amazing Lady. Yes, a Lady, not a woman. There is a gulf between being a woman and a Lady. Unto every female, it is given to be a woman. But not unto every woman is it given to become a Lady. Unto very many is given such an invaluable opportunity to become a Lady, but only very few has the ability, yes the ability akin to that of the phoenix in the Greek mythology, to rise from the ashes to scale the arduous hurdle to purloin ladyship.

 

As a Lady, Dr Toyin Kolade is an exemplar of sophistication, education, intelligence and urbaneness. She personifies a combination of shrewdness, calmness and clairvoyance. She epitomizes beauty, boldness and brilliance. She is an apotheosis of gut, gallantry and geniality. Her fortitude fosters her familial nature. Accommodating. Tolerating. Patient. Persevering. She is tenaciously tough, relentlessly fierce and firm but very friendly and understanding. Usually very regal and motherly, to many of her admirers, she is very nurturing, tending, caring and considerate.

A Lady of honour, Princess Dr Toyin Kolade's word is her bound. She is not flippant in anyway. Frivolity is an anathema. She despises superficiality. Her depth and seriousness are permeated with a vivacity that vitalizes.

 Very organized and methodical. She is a believer in destiny, who never leaves anything to chance. Her zealotry in the concept of destiny is that if and when you are on the right track, you got to keep moving, moving with determination and purposeful focus that is inebriated with briskness and swiftness.     

 

She is reliable and dependable. This explains her huge following within and outside her political party despite being a disciplinarian. A disciplined business woman herself, she is a pragmatic connoisseur of dogmas. Many people have counted on her without any iota of regret. Many have put their faith in her without being disappointed. Her promises are like cashier cheques. They never bounce. This is an attribute which many  celebrities wished they had, but it is a second nature to her.

 To her followers, Princess Toyin Kolade is like Imo Rock of Ilesa - solid, sturdy, staunch and stout.       

Princess Toyin Kolade  is a patriot of Ijesa land. She is very proud of being Ijesa. It means a great deal to her. She would do anything to protect anything  Yoruba. She would do anything to promote anything Yoruba  The Emma Harte of Ijesa land, the indefatigable character in Barbara Taylor Bradford’s “A Woman of Substance” – adventurous, determined, daring, audacious, valiant and gallant – yes, she could never be deterred by danger or pain. As  her installation comes up on the 17th of July   we should all rejoice with her and toast this gift to Yorubaland .