At coronation anniversary, Erinmo celebrates culture, tradition

The array of dignitaries who thronged the ancient town of Erinmo in Oriade Local Government of Osun State was an attestation to the personage of the Elerinmo, Oba Michael Ajayi (Arowotawaya II) as a social force to reckon with. The crème-de-la-crème of the society travelled down from different places in Nigeria and in the diaspora and demonstrated their support and love to Oba Ajayi on the occasion of his Fifth Coronation Anniversary.

Considering the publicity given on the occasion on the social media in particular, the anniversary figuratively transformed the face of the agrarian town for a whole week through a variety of colourful events, all of which engaged the attention of the old and young indigenes of Erinmo.

Being the town which hosts the famous Oke Erinmo (Mount Erinmo) where Christian faithful periodically converge to offer prayers to God, Oba Ajayi flagged off his anniversary with a vigil and prayer session. The wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Naomi Ogunwusi, a pastor, joined other clergymen who, in unison, committed the anniversary and its success to God.

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“Wasn’t the prayer answered with the modest success we recorded at the grand finale of the event last Saturday? Deliberately I rounded the whole thing off in the church as a mark of appreciation to God for giving us the days. What has this prayer taught us? It emphasizes that there is nothing we commit to God that would not be successful. That was my upbringing and that was what brought me to the throne and that is what has been guiding me as the Elerinmo till date. There is nothing that can stand between me and my God. I must always show gratitude to Him for all he has done for me from childhood through adulthood to the palace,” he said thankfully.

Also preceding the grand finale, held on Saturday August 10, 2019, was the installation of a select group of individuals as Erinmo chieftaincy title holders. The recipients included three foreign nationals, all of who were resplendent in traditional Ofi fabrics, which brought out true African appearance. The recipients expressed their appreciation to the Elerinmo for the honour he bestowed on them, assuring the traditional ruler of their support not only for him but also the entire town and its people.

During the grand finale, Oba Ajayi could not hide his joy from the guests as he took to the floor, picked the microphone and sang a gospel song. With the full accompaniment of the Adegbodu Twins Band, the traditional ruler, gifted with commanding frame, sang different Christian tracks to the applause of the entire hall.

At a point, he dictated his choice pace to the backup percussionists, telling them that he was hale and hearty enough to match fast rhythm to express his gratitude to God. He did not stop at his songs of praise, the Elerinmo also displayed deft royal dance steps, which captivated the audience.

“Dancing in that manner on that occasion was my expression of appreciation to God for sparing my life to witness the journey that started five years ago. The choice of the band was deliberate to praise God with beautiful and spiritual songs. We can afford to bring a secular musician that is much more known, but I specifically settled for Adegbodu Twins, and they did not disappoint me and my guests.

It goes to say that they added entertainment I desired to the event I needed a solemn music to lift the spirit of my guests up. And that was exactly what we saw in the band, which came from Ibadan.”