UK Branch
The Giwa Egbe, Otunba Biodun Onanuga, (Otunba Anikilaiya of Ijebu land) inaugurated Bobakeye Akile – Ijebu (UK) Branch, on 18th October 2002 at a well-packed opening ceremony in London, attended by traditional rulers, Otunbas and Oloyes of Ijebu land. It was a great day well celebrated with Keye (Alhaji) Wasiu Ayinde wonderful musical performance at the Brixton Academy Hall in South London. The main purpose of the inaugural ceremony is for the sons and daughters of Ijebu land to come together and support each other and contribute to the development of our communities in Ijebu Kingdom.
The main purpose of the inaugural ceremony is the establishment of the Egbe Bobakeye Akile-ijebu in diaspora and for world to know that Bobakeye is not just about kinking of glasses, sounds of action of cutleries and dancing in social circles but a traditional, cultural and social association committed to the promotion and preservation of the tradition and customs of Ijebu. While it also promotes and protects the interest of its members, the “Great Keyes” also benefits from members meetings where great ideas and knowledge are turned to invaluable achievements.
Bobakeye (UK) Branch is not a club but an offshoot of Bobakeye Akile Ijebu in Ijebu Ode, one of the Ijebu traditional groups, widely known as “regberegbes”, a unique
and age-old institution established to weld the society into age groups, male and female for the purpose of bringing development and progress to Ijebu land. The
“regberegbe” was established dated back to mediaeval times by the paramount ruler of the Ijebu Kingdom (The Awujale) and have always been the lynchpin of traditional Ijebu democratic forum of government. The present Awujale of Ijebuland. Oba (Dr) Sikiru Adetona has revived it for continuous development of Ijebu. Since then, the “regberegbes” had played very important roles not only in the administration but also in the socio-economic development of Ijebuland.
The stories of the UK inauguration will not complete without mentioning the personalities behind the success story. First and foremost, the Bagbimo Bobakeye (Keye Ade Ijebu), who orchestrated the inauguration along with Asiwaju Bobakeye (Dele Ogubowale), Keye Mutiu Olukoga, Keye Moses Adebanjo, Keye Ade Adekoya. Other foundation members include Keye Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde – Oluaiye, Keye Prince Folarin Osinusi, Mayegun Bobakeye (Obirin) Double T (Keye Nike Atekoja), the present asoju bobakeye obirin double-T (Alhaja) Risikat Sanni and Keye Nosmot Williams to mention but few.
The leadership of the UK branch since the inauguration was under Asiwaju Dele Ogunbowale until he returned to Nigeria in 2009. 
In May 2010, OtunAsiwaju Kayode Adesanya won the leadership election and became the first Asoju Bobakeye Akile Ijebu in diaspora.
The egbe membership has increased and Bobakeye had become had become an envy of many social organisations in the United Kingdom & Ireland. Bobakeye (UK) Branch is unique representing Bobakeye Akile Ijebu worldwide, an organisation where members come together for common goals. To be a member, is by personal interest. In addition, you must be a reliable person and of good character. As we are looking forward to launch Egbe Bobakeye Worldwide Forum, we call on all sons and daughters of Ijebu land born between 1956 and 1958, in the UK, United States of America, South America, Asia, Ireland, Canada and other parts of the world to contact us and join hand with us to support our motherland.
OtunAsiwaju Kayode Adesanya (Asoju Bobakeye Akile Ijebu)
God Bless you all
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