By Oluseun Fatope
The Kegites Club of Nigeria, National Headquarters, University of Ibadan, a foremost socio-cultural student club has on Saturday concluded its Keg Year Celebration, with a coronation ceremony marking the end of one administrative tenure and the beginning of another with the emergence of a new Ab National—the club’s national president.
The transition, held amidst the traditional fanfare and “gyration” characteristic of the socio-cultural organisation, saw the emergence of Abiodun Oluwatobiloba Samuel, a 400 level student of Wood Product Engineering, Faculty of Technology, as the new National Chief of the club.
Speaking shortly after the coronation, The new Ab National Chief of the Club, Chief Abiodun Oluwatobi, expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to lead the “National Headquarters” of the club.
In his remarks, he emphasised unity and appreciation for those who made the ceremony a success. “I’m using this medium to appreciate the God of the National Headquarters , the Jefesis, the Agbalagbasis, and also all the comrades. We all tried our best to make this coronation a success,” he said. He also paid tribute to his predecessors and “Godfathers,” pledging to ensure a successful and impactful tenure.
In his final administrative remark, the Xy Ab National, Chief Olanshile Ogunrinu described his ten-month tenure as a “roller coaster of emotions.” He reflected on the challenges and triumphs of leading one of Africa’s most prominent socio-cultural student organisations.
“A lot has happened within the ten-month stint in office,” he stated. “They are all exciting and exasperating. I find myself thinking why I agreed to do this in the first place, but overall, it’s an important learning experience. I believe that as a Kegite Chief, once you are able to handle that position, you can handle any position”. Chief Olanshile noted.
He expressed optimism for the future, noting that he is “thankful” for the opportunity to serve and hopeful that the new administration will “sustain and elevate” the progress made during his term.
The Kegites Club of Nigeria, renowned for its promotion of African culture, music, and palm wine traditions, continues to use its national coronations to reinforce its structured leadership hierarchy. The new Ab National is expected to oversee the affairs of the club across its various “shrines” (chapters) globally during the 2025/2026 Keg Year.
Notably, Chief Abiodun Oluwatobiloba makes history as the first Ab National to emerge from the Faculty of Technology.
