Gani Adams honours Segun Ajiboye with Barooyin Aareonakakanfo title

Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has conferred on Chief Olusegun Ajiboye, the honourary title of Otun- Barooyin Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, saying said that the new chieftaincy title was a reward for Ajiboye’s honesty, hardwork and belief in Yoruba culture and tradition.

Chief Ajiboye, a journalist and former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to two successive governors of Ondo – the late Olusegun Agagu and the late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu respectively, was honored with the title at the weekend at an event held at the Omole Phase 2, Ikeja, Lagos home of the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland.

Iba Adams, while conferring the title on Chief Ajiboye, hailed him for his honesty, hard work, and belief in Yoruba culture and tradition, which he said earned him the title, noting that the honouree was a product of God’s grace.

Adams said the title was a well-deserved honour for Ajiboye, whom he noted had played important roles at different times using his media experiences to promote the cause of Yoruba race.

“Chief Segun Ajiboye is a product of  God’s grace. He was supposed to be honoured with the title in January alongside other members of the new council, but his coronation was postponed till May, to fulfill all the traditional arrangements.

“It must be stated also that the title was a well-deserved honour for him because he has played important roles at different times as a member of this great institution for the past two decades now, using his media experiences to promote the cause of Yoruba race.

“As far as I am concerned, the Irun  Akoko, in present day, Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo, is a man of truth and honesty,” the Yoruba generalissimo said.

“He is a great journalist with an unprecedented record of service in various organizations. His long years of experience in journalism span over three decades.

“Ajiboye is a thorough-bred media practitioner, with equal sagacity. He cut his teeth as a journalist at the Independent Communications Network Limited (ICNL), publishers of The News magazine, PM News, and Tempo Magazine, as a reporter/researcher.

“Ajiboye later rose from The Sun Newspapers, defunct National Life Newspapers, and The Nation Newspapers, becoming an Assistant Editor of the Saturday title.

“He is presently the publishers of The Post Online medium,” he added.

Speaking further, Iba Adams said the revered stool of the Aare Onakakanfo which had been in existence since 1530, had profound historical background, adding that no amount of mis-information could change the history of the title.

He later presented the Staff of Office, Certificate of Honour, and other paraphernalia of the stool to the Otun- Barooyin Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland.

Expressing his appreciation of the honour bestowed on him, Ajiboye said the new title was a new call to serve the Yoruba race, saying he would continue to play his role in advancing the cause of the race.

Prominent members present at the event include Ayinba Joy Ayomide Adams; the Osi Aareonakakanfo of  Yorubaland, Chief Gani Kayode Balogun; Atoloye Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Babajide Tanimowo; Princess Adejoju Adeyemi, daughter of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Asoju Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Yinka Oguntimehin.

Others were Ambassador Ibrahim Lawal, Mr Atanda Olayemi, Special Assistant (SA) on Media to the Aare Oonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Mr. Mr.Kehinde Aderemi; Mr Agbabiaka Olawale, Treasurer of Lagos State chapter of NUPENG; Comrade Atobatele Tope, Mr.Victor Daniel, amongst others.