In recent times, there have been whispers and unfounded claims suggesting that Dr. Adekunle Olubola Hassan hails from Ilesha or Ijebu-Imushin rather than Ijebu-Ode. Nothing could be further from the truth. The facts of his lineage, achievements, and traditional honours speak clearly: Dr. Hassan is a bona fide son of Ijebu-Ode and a proud scion of the Fusengbuwa Royal House.
Dr. Hassan’s paternal roots trace directly to the Jadiara Royal House. His grandfather left Igboburo Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, to establish Esugbon near Ijebu-Imushin. His father, the late Hassan Sanni, was a respected gold merchant in Ilesha, whose reputation and success carried the family name far beyond Ijebu land. On his maternal side, Dr. Hassan’s mother was a princess from the Alarada Ruling House of Esure, further strengthening his royal credentials within Ijebuland. This dual heritage alone settles the matter of his origins: Dr. Adekunle Hassan belongs unequivocally to Ijebu-Ode.
More than his ancestry, Dr. Hassan’s life of service to his people has cemented his place as one of Ijebu’s greatest sons. Born on January 26, 1951, he was educated at Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode, and later at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, before proceeding to the United Kingdom for advanced training in ophthalmology. His return to Nigeria in 1993 was marked by the establishment of Eye Foundation Hospital—the first group practice in eye care and the first private postgraduate training centre for ophthalmology in Nigeria.
Through Eye Foundation and the Deseret Community Vision Institute, Dr. Hassan has transformed lives, delivering care to over two million Nigerians, performing more than 200,000 surgical operations, and training hundreds of medical professionals. His pioneering role has earned him global recognition, including the International Council of Ophthalmology’s Mark Tso Golden Apple Award, making him the first Nigerian and African recipient.
In Ijebu land, his service is even more telling. The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) S. K. Adetona, GCON, conferred on him the title of Otunba Obaruwa Baa Imole of Ijebuland in 2009, a testament to his contributions to the growth and progress of the community. He also serves as President of the Awujale Council of Otunba Foundation, First Vice Chairman of the Council of Otunbas, Trustee of the Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction, Olori Omo Oba of Esugbon, Baba Oba of Esure, and most recently chaired the Awujale’s 90th birthday committee in 2024.
Dr. Hassan’s life is decorated with over 100 publications, more than 90 awards, and decades of leadership in medicine, finance, and philanthropy. Yet, above all, his story is that of loyalty to his roots. His successes were not built in exile but anchored firmly in Ijebu land.
To say that Dr. Hassan is from Ilesha or merely Ijebu-Imushin is to deny both history and reality. He is, in every respect, a true son of Ijebu-Ode—a prince of the Fusengbuwa Royal House whose life continues to honour his heritage while serving humanity.
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