Alake installs Bankole new Apena of Egbaland

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo has installed Chief Suarau Bankole as the new Apena Egbaland.

Alake installed Bankole, the father of the former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, at a ceremony held at his palace over the weekend.

Nigerian Tribune reports that the Apena was the secretary to the government in the defunct Egba United Nations as well as the mouthpiece and the representative of Egba Alake section in that government because all the others represented certain interests.

The ceremony was attended by two former governors of the state, Segun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel; the Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola and immediate-past Nigerian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Isola, among others.

Speaking during the ceremony, Osoba said the new Apena was the right choice for the exalted chieftaincy position in Egbaland, adding that it was also a payback time for him, following his contributions to the Egba traditional council.

Osoba recalled Bankole’s roles during the process that led to the emergence of Oba Gbadebo as the 10th Alake of Egbaland.

In his remarks, Daniel described Bankole as a man of integrity that is competent and would be helpful to the Egba traditional council.

After his installation, Bankole pledged his loyalty to the Alake and traditional council, assuring that he would also accord respect to other rulers in Egbaland.

“I want to assure you that we are going to work together. We will ensure peace. I promise to be loyal and to all the Obas, I will respect them,” he said.

He also disclosed that the first person who occupied the position of Apena between 1898 and 1919 was his great-grandfather.

Bankole also revealed that because of reasons, he rejected the offer to become Apena a few years ago, adding that the Apena, who just passed away, was his younger classmate in elementary school.

He said, “I am about a year and a half older than he was. When he was to be appointed, the authorities in the palace then wanted me but for two reasons, I couldn’t take the position.

“The constitution clearly mandates that the position be rotated within two royal houses. Chief Toye Coker was my cousin, and he came from my own ruling house.”

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