A philanthropist and founder of Anwojue Hope Foundation (AHF), Omo’ba Adeolu Omokayode Anwojue, has been installed as the Otunba Apagun-Pote of Abigi Kingdom, Ogun Waterside, Ogun State.
The installation ceremony took place at Abigi Palace, Ogun Waterside, Ogun State, following traditional rites and royal blessings.
During the ceremony, Ojotumoro of Abigi Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr) Olusegun Oludolapo Ogunye, said the conferment of the chieftaincy title reflects the kingdom’s recognition of Omo’ba Adeolu’s dedication to community development, cultural preservation, leadership, and selfless service to the community.
“We are rewarding a very diligent and supportive young man,” he said.
Oba Ogunye added that the title and role signify strength, wisdom, and responsibility in safeguarding the heritage and values of the Abigi people.
He further charged Omo’ba Adeolu on upholding the culture and tradition of the land and to remain dedicated to humanitarian services.
In his speech after the installation, Omo’ba Adeolu Omokayode Anwojue, a native of Ewuren in Ijebu Imusin, said the title is a call to higher duty and responsibility to the community and humanity.
He said, “I like doing things in the secret without anybody knowing, but I am very happy that Kabieyesi took notice of all we’ve been doing and decided to award me with this title. Kabieyesi and myself never had any relationship before but because of what he saw us doing.”
The installation ceremony featured rich cultural displays, royal blessings, and goodwill messages and attracted the Awujale of Ijebuland, who was represented by members of the council of Obas of Ijebuland, traditional rulers, titled chiefs from Ijebuland and Egbaland, legislators, government functionaries, dignitaries, community members, and well-wishers from far and near.
The attendees commended the Palace for honouring a worthy son of the soil and expressed confidence in Omo’ba Adeolu’s ability to serve with integrity, courage, and purpose.
Meanwhile, as part of activities heralding the installation ceremony of Omo’ba Adeolu as the Otunba Apagun-Pote of Abigi Kingdom, Anwojue Hope Foundation held a free medical outreach and a girl-child safety awareness and advocacy programme.
The free medical outreach, which was held at Abigi Town Hall, aimed to promote access to basic healthcare and improve the wellness of elderly residents of the community, as a vital step toward supporting those who often face barriers to regular medical services.
The outreach served as an opportunity to create awareness on healthy living, especially among elderly people, reaching 100 individuals who were mostly those aged 40 and above.
Services provided during the outreach included general consultations, screening for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and malaria, as well as the provision of malaria drugs to participants.
Health professionals also delivered health talks on preventive care, lifestyle choices, and healthy aging.
The girl-child wellness and safety programme, with the theme, ‘Empowering our Communities, Honouring our Traditions, Promoting Wellness and Safety,’ sought to raise awareness and promote actionable knowledge around the safety, health, and general wellbeing of the girl-child in the Abigi community.
The programme provided young girls with critical information on how to recognise and respond to threats, especially in relation to sexual abuse, personal wellness, and community support systems.
While making a presentation at the event, the Project Manager of Anwojue Hope Foundation, Mrs Busayo S. Eniade, emphasised the importance of female wellness and understanding bodily autonomy.
She encouraged the girls to prioritise their health, speak up about uncomfortable experiences, and always seek help when needed.
Other speakers at the event, including the King and Queen of Abigi Kingdom, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) representative of Ogun Waterside, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the area, CSP Sanni Kehinde, spoke on the importance of peer and community support to combat girl-child abuse, youth advocacy, security talk on how to stay safe, channels for reporting abuse, and individual rights within the ambit of the law.
The Foundation also distributed a pack of sanitary pad to each of the 100 girls who attended the programme.
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