ALHAJI Ismail Odefisayo has been turbaned as the Otun Balogun Adinni of Ifetedo, in Osun State.
The Chief Imam of Ifetedo, Alhaji Soliu Alesinloye, who presided over the installation ceremony, said the honour bestowed on Odefisayo was borne of his dedication and contributions to the development of not only the Muslim community but also Ife South Local Government Area for more than 40 years.
The cleric implored the Otun Balogun Adinni not to relent in those things that qualified him to be recognised by the entire community at the age of 85.
Imam Alesinloye described Odefisayo as an exemplary Muslim and a thoroughbred professional educationist.
A few of Odefisayo’s former pupils, including Professor Rashid Aderinoye and Malam Yusuf Alli (SAN), paid tributes to him at the ceremony.
Aderinoye, a professor of Education, said he remembered his primary school teacher as a Spartan disciplinarian and a brilliant tutor.
Malam Alli said the absence of teachers like Alhaji Odefisayo today had contributed to the erosion of quality basic education.
Dignitaries who presented goodwill messages at the event included a former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade; the chairman of Ibadan (Oyo State) branch of Ifetedo Progressive Union (IPU), Chief Lawrence Ogunleye and the chairman Ife South Local Government Area, Mr Mufutau Adegbite.
The Olubosin of Ifetedo, Oba Akinola Akinrera, was represented by all his chiefs at the ceremony.