Jubilation in Ado Ekiti as new Alarierin emerges

Ado Ekiti now has a new Alarierin. He is Chief Olatunji Obayemi. The high chief, who, by his position, is also one of the kingmakers in the community, was formally announced by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemi Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, in his palace at an elaborate ceremony attended by hundreds of Ado Ekiti people. The announcement threw the hundreds at the palace into a jubilant mood and ended about four years of eating for the new head of the Oke Ila arm of Ado Ekiti.

The ceremonies for the installation of the high-ranking chief had been on for a while before the final selection of the chief was announced by the Ewi on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. The announcement of Olatunji Obayemi as the new Alarierin sparked jubilation at both his ancestral home and his family compound in Adebayo area of the town and ignited all-night merry-making by family and friends at his home, a sign that his emergence was a popular decision by the traditional leadership of Ado Ekiti community and the family, known as Elerebi.

Early in the morning after the announcement, the traditional rites of installation of the Alarierin commenced. The new chief was taken to the palace of the Ewi, where he was installed according to the tradition of the people. The people refer to the traditional rites as the collection of Èrùkù Oyè. For the Èrùkù Oyè, the new chief was dressed in all white attire. However, after the rituals, the apparel would be left with the signs of tradition, and so is his head, which are all symbolic, according to the people of Ado Ekiti.

After the rituals, the chief made a triumphant parade round parts of the town. “The new chief would walk through parts of the town. He would visit strategic parts of the town where relevant chiefs, traditional priests and other stakeholders would pray for him and wish him a successful tenure,” a son of the town stated.

The title, according to the people, is important because “the Alarierin is a prominent member of the Ewi-in-Council. He is a traditional Quarter Chief, whose functions are also important in the smooth administration of Ado Ekiti. The High Chief is an important traditional Chief in Ado Ekiti and that is why his roles cannot be played by someone else, except by a regent, which is temporary.”

There are three quarters in Ado Ekiti. The quarters are: Oke Ewi, Odo Ado and Oke Ila. The head of the chiefs of Oke Ewi is the Odogun. The head of the chiefs of Odo Ado is the Odofin while Alarierin is the head of the chiefs of Oke Ila. The Alarierin sits atop the Elumo, the traditional name by which the traditional chiefs of Oke Ila is known.

For the Odogun of Oke Ewi, his team of traditional chiefs is known as the Elerimarun while the Odofin Odo Ado is the head of Iharemerin. These are kingmakers, who also form the nucleus of the Ewi-in Council.

High Chief Olatunji Obayemi said his new title confers new responsibilities on him as he would be holding court and settle disputes with other elders and chiefs of Oke Ila. However, when knotty matters emerge, such would be treated in conjunction with the Ewi, the traditional rulers.

Also, part of his duties is his becoming the custodian of the traditional legacies of the Alarierin. He would also assume the responsibility of administering the land belonging to the Alarierin clan.

He thanked his family for their support in the build-up to his announcement as the chief and also called for the support of all and sundry in his quest to make Ado Ekiti an egalitarian community.