Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, has paid a glowing tribute to the departed Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Dr Joseph Oluwadare Agunbiade, describing him as a monarch committed to peace, community development, and investment in people.
A statement by his spokesman, John Akinduro, on Sunday said the Deputy Governor delivered the eulogy on Saturday during the One-Year Remembrance and Thanksgiving Service held in honour of the late traditional ruler at St. John’s Anglican Church Oba-Ile, Akure North local government area of Ondo state.
Adelami said the departed monarch’s nearly four decades on the throne brought unity, healing, and stability to the ancient town after years of internal crisis and division.
His words, “Oba Joseph Oluwadare Agunbiade was indeed a unifier. His almost four decades’ reign brought lasting peace, healing, reconciliation, and stability to Oba-Ile and set it on the path of prosperity.”
He added that the monarch’s calm disposition, humility, courage, and level-headed leadership enabled him to withstand challenges while fostering harmony across the community.
Adelami also commended the developmental strides witnessed in Oba-Ile during the reign of the late king, noting that the town experienced significant economic growth, infrastructural and human capital development.
In his sermon, the officiating priest described the late monarch as a God-fearing traditional ruler who used his throne to advance the gospel and promote moral values within the community.
The departed Oloba was the father of the Head of the Protocol Unit in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Prince Kehinde Agunbiade.
The remembrance service attracted several dignitaries and traditional rulers from within and outside Ondo State, including the Deji of Akure, Sen. Niyi Adegbomire, former Heads of Service, Kayode Ogundele and Kosemani Kolawole, among many others.
