Eight more obas were, on Monday, crowned in Ife territory by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, to commemorate his 82nd birthday.
The octogenarian oba, who turned 82 years on Sunday, January 1, 2012, also honoured three prominent Nigerian artistes with various chieftaincy titles to mark the event.
The new obas, who received their staff of office at the impressive ceremnony which took place at the ancient palace of Ife, were the Oloyere of Oyere, Oba Adeoye Adefarakan; Laroka of Wanikin, Oba Kole Ojutalayo; Olojudo of Ile-Ido, Oba Sikiru Adeyeba; Eyenla of Amula-Saliu, Oba Mayowa Adesiyan and Oluwaro of Iwaro, Oba Olasupo Alakinde.
The other newly-installed obas were the Olomoni of Okuu-Omoni, Oba Odedoyin Taiwo; Saga of Obalayan Orisunbaje, Oba Olayiwola Ojeyinka and Ogunleye of Olugbode, Oba Adeleke Adedire.
The Nigerian artistes who were honoured with different chieftaincy titles were Chief Justus Esiri, who bagged the title of Otun Amuludun of the Source, Chief Peter Fatomilola who was awarded the title of Osi Amuludun of the Source and Chief Samson Eluwole, who became the Aare – Ago of the Source.
Responding on behalf of other obas, Oba Ojutalayo thanked Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for his approval of the Obas’ appointments and commended the Ooni for his “love and support for his children.”
He urged the state government to declare a state of emergency on the poor state of infrastructure in some parts of the state while appealing for cooperation and support of all their subjects for a successful reign.
The Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kolapo Alimi, who represented the governor described the obas appointments as “a call to higher service” to their people.
He stated that the crowning of the new obas was “long overdue” and congratulated Oba Sijuwade on his 82nd birthday anniversary.
The commissioner said the state government was determined to banish poverty and hunger in the state and urged the new obas to support government programmes.
In his response on behalf of his colleagues, Chief Esiri, expressed joy over the chieftaincy award.
He said the award was an honour to Nigerian artistes as a whole.
Chief Esiri, who noted that the entertainment industry was capable of changing Nigeria to a better place added that, “the sky is the limit for those coming behind us to the industry.”
The Obalufe of Iremo, Ile-Ife Oba Folorunso Omisakin, who spoke on behalf of the Ooni thanked all those who attended the ceremony.
Prominent among those who were in Ile-Ife for the event were Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olanihun Ajayi, Chief Adekunle Ojora and his wife, Justice Bola Babalakin (Rtd), Chief Agboola Odeyemi, Chief Akin Aduwo, Alhaji Bashir Awotorebo, Professor Muibi Opeloye, Mrs Tejumade Alakija and the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Tale Omole.
Also in attendance were obas from Ogun, Ondo and Osun states, chiefs, community leaders and top government officials.
source; www.tribune.com.ng
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