Q: Can you share a bit about your life journey from Lagos to the UK and now back home?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: It has been a journey shaped by grace and purpose. I started off in Lagos, then continued my early education in England at Dover College Junior School in Folkestone. My teenage years took me back to Nigeria—Offa Grammar School and then Ogun State University—before returning to the UK for further studies at Manchester Metropolitan University and Arden University, where I earned master’s degrees in Data Analytics and Marketing. While abroad, I built a career with Virgin Media, founded multiple businesses, and got actively involved in community service and politics. Now, I’ve returned home, not just physically, but spiritually, to serve and honor my roots in Isiwo.

Q: What does this chieftaincy title mean to you personally?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: It’s deeply personal and symbolic. I come from a long line of high chiefs and royalty in Isiwo—my father was the last Ogbeni Oja, my grandfather was the Aare Ona Kakanfo, and my uncle is the current Bashorun. This title is not just a personal honor; it’s a reconnection with my lineage and a sacred duty to preserve and protect our heritage.

Q: How has living abroad shaped your identity as a Nigerian and as a son of Isiwo?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: Living abroad gave me perspective. It sharpened my appreciation for our culture and values. Being Nigerian, and more specifically from Isiwo, became something I wore with pride. Despite the differences in environment and systems, my cultural identity remained intact. It taught me to adapt without losing myself.

Q: How have you maintained your connection to your roots while living abroad?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: Faith, family, and community. I stayed in touch through regular visits, maintained close ties with elders back home, and ensured my children understood where we come from. I have built a country home in Isiwo because it’s dear to my heart. I knew I would one day return in some capacity to give back.

Q: What values or traditions from home did you carry with you all these years?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: Respect for elders, humility, resilience, and service to community. These values guided me professionally and personally. Even in business and politics abroad, those core principles from home shaped how I interacted, led, and served others.

Q: In what ways do you hope to bridge the gap between modernization and Isiwo?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: I believe tradition and progress are not mutually exclusive. I want to use my experience in technology and governance to support education, digital literacy, and youth empowerment in Isiwo, while also preserving our customs, language, and chieftaincy institutions. I have companies in Nigeria like Spinsphere Technologies, and we are already laying that foundation.

Q: What are your priorities for the community as you take on this role?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: First, to promote education and entrepreneurship among the youth. Secondly, to attract sustainable development by leveraging both my local and international networks. Thirdly, to be a voice for unity, peace, and progress among our people—both at home and in the diaspora.

Q: How do you plan to engage with the youth and encourage them to contribute to community development?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: The youth are the heartbeat of any society. I plan to organize mentorship initiatives, skill acquisition programs, and digital empowerment workshops. I want to inspire them with my journey—that you can go far and still come home to serve. We must make community development attractive and rewarding to them.

Q: What challenges do you anticipate as you transition into this traditional role?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: Every new role comes with challenges. Balancing modern expectations with traditional obligations won’t be easy. There may be resistance from some quarters to change, but with dialogue, respect, and transparency, we can navigate these hurdles together.

Q: What advice do you have for Nigerians abroad on how to stay connected to their roots?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: Never forget where you come from. Make the effort to visit, contribute, and stay in touch with your community. Whether it’s through culture, philanthropy, or mentorship, staying connected adds depth and purpose to your global journey.

Q: How do you balance personal ambition with communal responsibility?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: For me, they go hand in hand. Every success I’ve achieved is an opportunity to give back. Ambition should not only elevate you—it should elevate your people. When your community thrives because of your efforts, that’s the true measure of success.

Q: If Baba Puma could speak to you today, what do you think he would say about this moment?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: Ah, my late father would smile and say, “Omo mi, you’ve done well.” He was a man of deep wisdom and cultural pride. I think he would be proud to see that I’ve not only remembered my roots but have returned to uphold the legacy he once carried. He was the Ogbeni Oja of Isiwo before he passed on.

Q: What legacy do you want to leave in years to come?

Hon. David Akim Adeoye: A legacy of faith, service, and empowerment. Aside from the roads we have started rehabilitating, I want to continue with community school. I want to be remembered as someone who bridged generations, who connected Isiwo to the world. Someone who honored tradition while driving progress, and who never stopped lifting others. My story is God’s story—one of grace, purpose, and impact.

From corporate corridors in the UK to the cultural heart of Isiwo, Hon. David Akim Adeoye embodies a life of faith, leadership, and rootedness. He is happily married and blessed with children. As he embraces his chieftaincy, Isiwo gains not just a titleholder, but a visionary son returned home.

The post A New Dawn in Isiwo as Hon. David Akim Adeoye Is Conferred the Title “Bobasanya” appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.