Pomp meets tradition as Ilese-Ijebu gets new monarch

Last Saturday, the ancient town of Ilese-Ijebu, in Yemoji Local Council Development Area of Ogun State came alive with the installation and presentation of staff of office to Oba Oluremi Owolabi Obayomi.

The joyous atmosphere within and  around the town spoke volume of the wide acceptability of the new Elese of Ilese by both the young and old, indigenes and non-indigenes alike.

This was apparent with the number of guests and well-wishers who converged on Ilese Comprehensive High School to witness the epoch-making ceremony.

Many were gaily dressed in ankara fabric with brown and green aso-ebi while many others put on purple coloured aso-oke as headgear or cap since purple symbolises royalty.

The marquee was beautifully decorated and well arranged to accommodate different guests while adequate security was equally provided. The expansive marquee was filled to its capacity. It was obvious that everyone wanted to be part of the historic event.

Prior to the ceremony, many programmes were put in place to make the ceremony worthwhile. One of such was a two-day free health awareness programme organised by a non-profit organisation, CEADESE NG for people of Ilese, as a mark of honour to the new monarch.

Also, there was the popular Woro dance round the town on the day of the event.

The Ogun State deputy governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, led a high powered delegation to the ceremony, on behalf of the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

The programme started in earnest with the arrival of the government delegation with the recitation of the national anthem and offering of prayers.

Addressing all present, the chairman, Coronation Planning Committee, Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye, recalled that the town once had interregnum of 21-years over chieftaincy tussle and seemingly long litigations, but acknowledged that the selection of Prince Obayomi was the first time in the history of the town that would be devoid of rancour, bitterness, bickering or resort to litigation.

Kalejaiye, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, commended the Fowosere Ruling House that produced the new Elese for the steadfastness and sincerity of purpose in making the day a reality, while appreciating other princes who contested the coveted seat with Obayomi, for accepting the result of the contest in good faith.

Kalejaiye equally appreciated the state government whom the monarch served for a mandatory 35 years and the civil service for the support given to Oba Obayomi, specifically what he described as “the fastest processed for executive approval” of the monarch’s candidacy.

The chairman coronation planning committee seized the opportunity to call the attention of the state government towards the location of the headquarters of Yemoji LCDA elsewhere, aside the initial proposed plan to be at Ilese.

He noted that the town has continued to support government effort in community development programmes through execution of worthwhile self-help projects.

The LCDA chairman, Hon. Dapo Adebajo, in his own speech at the event, enjoined sons and daughters of the town to support the new monarch in moving the town to greater heights, in the area of infrastructural development, acknowledging that government could not single handedly meet the needs of the people.

Adebajo also noted that his administration had within the shortest period of time witnessed two official traditional assignments and prayed for God’s guidance on behalf of the new monarch to steer the ship of the town to safe ends.

Also, the chairman of Ijebu North-East Local Government, Hon. Kolawole Onafuye, said that Oba Obayomi’s ascension to the throne became a reality less than two years his predecessor joined his ancestors. He described the whole exercise as a laudable one.

Amosun, in his address delivered by Onanuga, submitted that the role of traditional institutions in Yoruba land remained paramount, saying that Obas in the land had always and are still at the forefront of political, economic and social developments in their various domains.

He congratulated the entire people of Ilese-Ijebu, the kingmakers and members of the Fowosere Ruling House for displaying uncommon unity, peace and harmony without which the installation ceremony would not have been possible.

The governor said the appointment of Obayomi as the new Elese of Ilese, followed due process, in accordance with the rotational order in the Registered Declaration of Elese Chieftaincy.

Amosun pronounced the new monarch as a first class Oba and automatically a member of the Ijebu Traditional Council.

The governor urged the new monarch to cooperate and collaborate with other monarchs in moving Ijebu land and Ogun State forward and also to use his status to attract investors to his domain in order to sustain and consolidate on the steady and progressive development of the town.

“The appointment of Prince Oluremi Owolabi Obayomi, as the new Elese of Ilese is a positive march in the right direction. As a seasoned, thorough-bred administrator and a one time Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, who retired from the state civil service as a permanent secretary, your sterling qualities, wealth of experience and exposure are expected not only to have a direct positive bearing on your reign as a first class Oba, but equally add value to the public administration.

“You are already familiar with the inner workings as regards chieftaincy matters in Ogun State. I have no doubt in my mind that you will bring this knowledge to bear in relating with your peers and others in the Ijebu Traditional Council, and, more importantly, in administering the people of Ilese-Ijebu,” he added.

The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, said the Ilese people are lucky to have Obayomi as their monarch.

Adetona who was represented by the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya, added that Ilese town is as old as Ijebu land.

“The people of Ilese should be happy and happy indeed to have Oba Oluremi Obayomi, as your monarch. He is one of the best administrators I have ever met. You must be prepared to serve him as he is ready to bring his wealth of experience to be as a seasoned public administrator,” the Awujale noted.

The new Elese, in his acceptance speech, promised to live up to expectations in his new assignment, saying Ilese is a town after his heart.

Oba Obayomi told the gathering that he never dreamt all his life of becoming a traditional ruler, which he submitted was utterly against his personal wish and desire to assume the enviable position.

The monarch said he succumbed to pressure from sons and daughters of the town to be nominated and eventually selected for the position.

According to him, “honestly, the thought of becoming a traditional ruler has never crossed my mind, as it is utterly against my personal wish and desire to clamour or aspire to such an enviable position.

“As fate would have it, I had to surrender myself to be nominated and eventually selected to fill the vacant stool of Elese of Ilese following several appeals and persuasions from members of the Fowosere ruling house and eminent sons and daughters of the community, including friends, associates and well-wishers keenly interested in the Ilese project.

“I solemnly pledge to provide good quality leadership and give off my best faithfully and diligently through His divine guidance without fear or favor, affection or ill-will and that I shall project the good image of Ilese and its entire people at all times.”

Oba Obayomi was officially presented with the staff of office and instrument of appointment by Onanuga, at a ceremony, which had in attendance the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Suraj Ishola, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, the state commissioners for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Culture and Tourism, Chief Jide Ojuko and Chief Muyiwa Oladipo respectively, former Oyo State Head of Service, Alhaji I.O Aremu, Body of Permanent Secretaries both former and serving in Ogun State, traditional rulers from Ijebuland and beyond, members of Elese age grade in Ijebu land, Egbe Bobakeye, classmates of Oba Obayomi at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, among several important personalities.