From the Ring to the Palace: 23 Years of Bountiful Achievements Under Ọba Buremoh, Onídẹ̀ra of Ìdẹ̀ra

From the Ring to the Palace: 23 Years of Bountiful Achievements Under Ọba Buremoh, Onídẹ̀ra of Ìdẹ̀ra

By Idris Alooma 

On May 10, 2004, the people of Idera in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State witnessed the crowning of a king whose path to the throne was anything but conventional. His Royal Highness Oba James Oladipo Aroko-Ola Buremoh, Arogundade I, ascended as the Onidera of Idera land, bringing with him a life shaped by sport, scholarship, and service. Known globally as “Ladi the African Tiger,” he has spent the last 23 years proving that true royalty is measured not by privilege, but by sacrifice.  

 Before he ever wore a crown, Oba Buremoh made his name in the wrestling ring. For two decades he competed as a professional wrestler, earning the nickname “The Hulk Hogan of Nigeria.” His defining moment came in 1987 when he defeated Mike Hayes to become world heavyweight champion in a match attended by government officials. Yet his influence extended beyond personal glory. He promoted wrestling across Nigeria, bringing international stars to Ilorin Stadium and giving young athletes in Kwara a glimpse of global possibilities.  

Education and exposure broadened his perspective. In 1977 he emigrated to the United States, where he studied at the University of Georgia. The years abroad gave him firsthand experience of discipline, organization, and the value of labour. From 1999 he worked as a tour bus driver for Gray Line in New York City, a job he embraced with pride. In his own words, he drove “for survival and to support my community,” showing that dignity lies in honest work.  

When family and tradition summoned him home to ascend the throne, Oba Buremoh did not sever his ties with the life that sustained his service. He adopted a unique 6-month-on, 6-month-off rhythm, spending half the year in Idera and the other half driving in New York. This arrangement allowed him to fund community projects with his personal earnings, ensuring he never became a financial burden on his subjects. As the Yoruba say, _“Àgbà kii wà lójú ilé, kí orí omolúwàbí pa”_ — an elder does not sit idle while the community suffers.  

His reign has been guided by a servant-leader philosophy. Unlike rulers who govern from a distance, Oba Buremoh is often found on project sites, working alongside his people. Under his leadership, Idera has gained solar power installations, boreholes for potable water, rural electrification, and graded access roads that link the town to markets and opportunities. These are not abstract achievements; they are the tangible results of a king who believes that leadership means getting his hands dirty.  

Education and healthcare have remained central to his agenda. He renovated the local dispensary and the school built by his father, and constructed new classrooms to accommodate growing numbers of students. Through the Ladi Tiger Rural Development Foundation, he has channeled resources into projects that improve daily life, holding fast to the belief that _“ọmọ ni ìlẹ̀kẹ̀ ẹni”_ — a child is one’s jewel.  

The 20th anniversary of his reign he marked in  in 2024 was a milestone in youth empowerment. To commemorate the occasion, he built a multimillion-naira Vocational and Computer Training Centre in Idera. The facility provides practical skills in trades and technology, equipping young people to create jobs rather than wait for them. “I want my children to have a future,” he said, “not just memories of the past.”  

Agriculture has also been transformed under his watch. By encouraging cashew farming, Oba Buremoh helped turn Idera into one of Kwara State’s leading producers. The initiative boosted household incomes, created employment, and demonstrated how traditional leadership can drive economic diversification at the grassroots level.  

Oba Buremoh’s impact extends beyond Nigeria. His story of a reigning monarch working as a bus driver in New York has been featured by international media, earning him respect as a symbol of humility and resilience. Organizations such as the Kwara Development Group-USA and the Ladi Tiger Foundation diaspora network have supported his projects, creating a bridge between Idera and the global community.  

His leadership style is hands-on, humble, and practical. Subjects describe him as accessible, hardworking, and empathetic. He often says that the greatest reward of his reign is seeing the satisfaction and improved lives of his people. In leading by example, he embodies the proverb that _“a tree does not make a forest”_ — progress requires collective effort.  

Philanthropy is woven into the fabric of his kingship. Through his foundation and alongside his wife, he regularly provides food and assistance to widows and the underprivileged. For Oba Buremoh, philanthropy is not ceremonial; it is a daily commitment to ensuring that no one in Idera is left behind.  

Olori Roseline Abosede Ajoke Buremoh, the Queen of His Royal Highness Oba James Oladipo Buremoh, Ladi the African Tiger and Onidera of Idera Kingdom in Kwara State, has been his steadfast pillar of support. Oba Buremoh often describes her as his “greatest tag team partner,” a “God-sent angel,” and the key partner in piloting the affairs of the community with grace and dedication.

As he marks 23 years on the throne, Oba James Oladipo Aroko-Ola Buremoh looks ahead with clear purpose. His focus remains on completing long-term projects, expanding vocational training, and deepening the connection between Idera and its diaspora partners. May Almighty God grant him long life, sound health, and unending wisdom. May his reign continue to be a shield for the weak, a ladder for the youth, and a light for Ideraland. _Ìgbà gbogbo, ìwà rere kò ní parẹ lọwọ rẹ_ — may his good deeds never be forgotten.  

From the wrestling ring to the palace, from New York streets to Idera town, Oba Buremoh’s 23 years of bountiful achievements reign have shown that a crown gains meaning only when it is used to lift others.

  ***** *Idris Alooma is the General Manager UNILORIN FM radio station and Deputy Director Corporate Affairs University of Ilorin*