Shuttling between lecture room and palace, the Regent of Iboropa-Akoko in Ondo State, Tinuade Babalola Adejuyigbe, never dragged one role for another. That was during her days at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. The regent, who assumed the position at age 16, exudes a rare maturity that beats her age, matched by an illuminating brilliance and class.
But she said her sister, whom many thought would assume the position after her father’s demise, made the role unambiguous for her: “My elder sister and the rest of my siblings have been of great help. While I was trying so hard to adjust to this life, she was there rendering all the help she could to make sure that things go well. When things were difficult, she stood up for me to make sure I was comfortable. Right now, I’m just grateful to her and the rest of my siblings as well as my mother.
Royalty, they say, is an honour and responsibility. As a responsibility, the delectable monarch strives to be diligent despite some challenges. These distractions she says, come by way of discrimination and finance, amongst others. Sounding rather low: “Socio-cultural norms and morality are binding on me because I am female. So I am usually careful about my actions, because people are always watching and ready to criticise every move I make. People are judgmental towards female leaders.
Tinuade also feels government can do better with regard to monarch welfare. “Please let it be known that government should also consider regents’ welfare as regents are only being paid peanuts by states government. Moreover, we don’t get any special treatment from government despite the fact that we perform same functions as Kings.”