A DAY OF GLORY IN IJEBU IGBO AS ORIMOLUSI RECEIVES STAFF OF OFFICE

The Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR on Wednesday presented the Staff of Office to the newly appoint Oba of Ijebu Igbo, His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo in a well-attended coronation ceremony.

The Governor, who despite his tight schedules, insisted he must grace the occasion emphasised the significance of the event stating that the vacuum of twenty-seven years which has now been filled without rancour is worthy of celebration.

He traced the history of the Title, “Orimolusi” and urged sons and daughters of the town to continue to stay in unity for peace and progress to reign. He enjoined them to support the new Oba in the bid to move the town forward.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Coronation Committee, Otunba Femi Dinah welcomed all dignitaries and noted that the large turnout of indigenes and well-wishers rekindled hope and demonstrated the fact that the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, His Royal Majesty Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo is not only a popular choice of the people, he is a man of destiny, positioned to rule by divine mandate of God Almighty.

According to him “this long, tortuous road to where we are today has not been without sacrifices, compromises, challenges, despair, twists, bumps, contours, detours and ultimate breakthrough. What is important in all of these has been our collective resolve to learn from the lessons of the past, bury our differences and design a future that we and the coming generation in Ijebu Igbo will be proud of. Today, we are agents of change. We are agents of peace. We are agents of progress.”

Other dignitaries who took turn to talk were prominent sons of Ijebu Igbo, Engineer Bayo Dayo, Professor Ayo Ogunye, Senator Sefiu Gbenga Kaka, The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Ogun State, Hon. Moruf Afolabi Afuape, The Chairman, Ijebu North Local Government, Mr. ‘Bolaji Odusanya and a host of others.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo, Ojuromi VI, thanked God the enabler of all things and the Governor and his entourage for the honour of their presence. He requested a minute silence for the repose of the soul of Baba Prince Saliu Adebisi Sadiku who, according to him played a major role in the process of his emergence as The Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo. According to him, “Baba Sadiku defended the legacy of the Ojuromi family until his last breath. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

He appreciated all the Obas from the Ijebu Traditional ruling council for their presence and support particularly referencing the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, ably represented by Dagburewe of Idowa, Alayeluwa Oba Yinusa Oladele Adekoya whose fatherly counsel he has held to heart.

He praised the joint efforts of the Obas of the five quarters in Ijebu Igbo, The Sopenlukale of Oke Sopen, The Olokine of Ojowo, The Keegbo of Atikori, The Bejeroku of Oke Agbo and the Abijaparako of Japara, for their co-operation in ensuring that the coronation ceremony became a success.

He disclosed, “I am for due process. I am for collective goals and unified mission. Together, we will tell our story. We will write our history and we will be proud of our identity and heritage.”

In his message to the people of Ijebu Igbo, the Kabiyesi reiterated, “My good people of Ijebu Igbo have demonstrated great love for me that I cannot quantify. You have welcomed me with warmth and open arms. You have expressed through your large turn out that Ijebu Igbo is henceforth set to be in the news for good reasons. I am not taking this show of love for granted. Your reward is my total commitment to all the ideals we stand for.”

Amongst the dignitaries who graced the occasion in no particular order were, The Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Noimot Salako-Oyedele ,Distinguished Senator Ramoni Lekan Mustapha, Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Olatokunbo Joseph Talabi, Chief of Staff, Ogun State Government, Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Moruf Afolabi Afuape, Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Waheed Odusile, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon Dr. Kehinde Oluwadare, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Funmi Afuwape, Professor Ayo Ogunye, Chief Segun Olusanya, Senator Alh. Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka, Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Prince Segun Adesegun, Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Hon. Abiodun Sylvester Niyi, Member, Ogun State House of Assembly, representing Ijebu North Constituency 1, The Ijebu Igbo Warrant Chiefs and the former Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr. Tunde Ipaye.
Jide Seun Fowode
Special Adviser to The Orimolusi
On Media & Strategy