- reels out plans
Representative of Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, presenting the Staff of Office to the new Olumoru of Imoru in Ose Local Government Area, Oba Oluwarotimi Obamuwagun, Uwade 1, in Imoru, on Saturday, December 21, 2019. Supporting is the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Lola Fagbemi
By Banji Ayoola
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has advised Oba Oluwarotimi Obamuwagun, Uwade 1, the new Olumoru of Imoru in Ose Local Government Area of the state, to see his appointment as a call to service.
While calling on the people of the community to give their royal father maximum support and cooperation to ensure that his reign is peaceful and progressive, he urged the new monarch to stand as a loving father to all his subjects without discrimination.
Akeredolu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale, at the presentation of instrument of appointment and staff of office to the new Olumoru on Saturday, December 21, 2019, said: “I want to enjoin you that due restraint and caution be maintained in the exercise of the powers being conferred on you today through the presentation of instrument of appointment and staff of office.
You should stand in the position of father over your subjects and see yourself as being called to serve. There is no winner or loser, but the development of Imoru in all ramifications should now be paramount in your mind.
Likewise I want to enjoin the people of Imoru to collectively give the maximum cooperation and support to Oba Oluwarotimi Obamuwagun so that his reign would be peaceful and progressive.”
Akeredolu said: “This is a day all sons and daughters of Imoru community have been looking forward to and it marks the end of the period of interregnum of many years without traditional ruler in Imoru.
I therefore seize this august occasion to felicitate with sons and daughters of Imoru both at home and in the diaspora in being alive to witness and be part of today’s celebration.”
He noted that the kingmakers had on August 1, 2019, chosen Obamuwagun, who had the highest votes, as the Olumoru elect and that the state executive council at its meeting of September 10 approved the decision of the kingmakers.
He said: “Prince Oluwarotimi Obamuwagun got the highest number of votes of the kingmakers and was subsequently declared as Olumoru elect. The executive council met at its meeting of 10th September 2019 and subsequently approved the election and appointment of Prince Oluwarotimi Obamuwagun as Olumoru of Imoru.”
In his speech, Obamuwagun thanked the governor “for showing interest in our interest” as he reeled out his plans for the development of a community that has been grounded by years of chieftaincy struggle, topmost of which is the building of a modern befitting palace.
The royal father said: “I promise that Owo would continue to be one. I heartily wish to appreciate everyone at this historical coronation. I am particularly happy that this coronation is a reality.
The journey to this day was long, rough and very tough. However one thing gladdens my heart. All of us, sons and daughters of Imoru are today under one big umbrella. We are therefore embarking on this journey together and I know it would be achievable with the love of the people and the Guidance of the Almighty.
We are determined to ensure that everyone is on board in our striving to create a new vision, a mission to permanently lay a foundation that would stand the test of time.
Let me hasten to say that in this my new position, I shall be very fair on all matters.
In the contest for the throne between the demise of Oba Aladesunloye and the enthronement of Oba Okinbaloye and between the demise of Oba Okinbaloye and the enthronement of Oba Obamuwagun, we merely wasted 15 years brutally and ruthlessly fighting for the throne that was almost nonexistent in our community. Imoru suffered for this.
We will lay a foundation of new beginning based on justice to ensure that we do not walk this dangerous and tormenting path again. We shall apply for a review of our chieftaincy laws to manage our misdemeanours, as a people to ensure that such norms are anchored on fairness, objectivity and impartiality.
Our monarchy was a very rich one. The lesson learnt from many errors in what has become our monarchy in Imoru is good enough and in our style, the solution must come from all of us.
Monarchy in Nigeria falls into two broad lines – figure head and the very powerful. For Imoru community, I solemnly promise that our monarchy shall be greatly enhanced.
Our palace: The truth is that our community once had a palace. How we lost the palace is a story of vengeance begetting vengeance. We lost everything. It is often said that an oba without an olori lacks integrity. So also is a town without a palace especially in Yorubaland, where it is seen as symbol of achievement, independence and cultural identity.
Imoru community has acquired over 20 hectares of land in a befitting area. The Lord willing in 2020, we shall begin the construction of a particularly befitting modern palace.
We must find a better way or form to administer our community after an olumoru joins his ancestors. Our experience after the demise of the last two obas was particularly hurtful and turbulent. We shall request for appropriate measures to do the needful in this area.
Our culture and tradition: I promise that I shall uphold the tenets of our culture and tradition. Our culture and tradition are our livewire. By them we are distinguished, by them we are unique. We would broaden them to bring them to national limelight as tourist attraction. It may be tough but it is not impossible.
In the area of education, we cannot be said to be doing well. In truth we are performing below expectation. Low education system is even worse. There is today more unapproved nursery, primary and secondary schools in our community. Our community has become dumping ground where such inappropriate thing is allowed to grow indiscriminately. We beg government quick intervention in this area.
Our basic health centre is a mere shadow of its old self. Everything about the place has been thoroughly abused. We therefore plead that Ose Local Government assists us in rehabilitating the health facility.
Our means of livelihood is basically agriculture. Therefore Imoru community is an agrarian area. We have enough land to maximally achieve this objective. We look forward to more robust relationship with any institution which would assist in ensuring modern agriculture in our community.”
He said: “During our race to occupy the throne, all other matters that should have taken the centre stage were pushed to the background. The result is what we have today.
Politics and obaship struggle have taken some of our youths from us. They turned them into drug addicts as well as miscreants. We shall put proper machinery in place to reclaim and help them.
I sincerely wish to thank the Ondo State Government led by Governor Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. His government ensured transparency and justice on matters concerning the Olumoru chieftaincy. That is why we are all here today.
The olumoru issue was the second time that the Lord used the governor to straighten my destiny. I showed deep appreciation on these.
For my new club of their royal highnesses, I wish to assure you that I would rather add value and be a good team player than do otherwise. Kabiyesis, I say e ku ile from the bottom of my heart; and I welcome myself into the well revered club of royal fathers.
Following this is appreciation to all the princes with whom I contested the throne. As at today we are doing all to ensure that we are in the same boat serving our people. My appreciation goes to my professional constituency, Journalism; to the NUJ President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, who led journalists from across the country to this ceremony.
I thank the OSRC, the Coronation committee headed by the revered Engineer Funso Kupolokun, our illustrious sons and daughters, descendants of Aribo, all Obamuwaguns and my royal lineage Uwade, my chiefs – I assure you, this is a glorious dawn.
It is true that we are far away from where we should be. The Good Lord will remove the pains we bear in our land. To the Olujumu family, I thank you for giving me your daughter, and my olori, you are welcome on board. It is big congratulation to all both. Let me thank my cousin and aburo Oyato and his wife for being there always.
In 2020, we shall start the construction of a modern and befitting palace. We sincerely plead for the support of everyone when the time comes. Thank you.”
While anointing the monarch, the Anglican bishop of Owo Diocese, Rt Revd Stephen Fagbemi, who spoke in Yoruba amidst the hymn “Eje ka f’inu didun yin Oluwa olore, aanu Re yoo wa titi, l’ododo dajudaju.’said: “ We anoint him and pray that the Lord would help him.
We commend him to the Mercy and Love of the Lord. From today, prosperity has entered this town. The door of blessings that had been locked is now open. No sorrow would enter this town. Victory has entered this town. The Lord Who is King above all kings would win for you and preserve you.
His Grace would be enough for you. His blessing is on you. Your reign would comfort your people. The good health willed by the Lord is upon you. All evils before you would fall. The power of the Lord would win for you.
In the Name of the Lord we anoint you with oil in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Lord would be your pillar. He would sit for you. He would help you. This town would progress. The joy of the Lord would fill you and live with you forever and ever.”
In an interview at the ceremony, a member of the Coronation Planning Committee and proprietor of Oyato Bread and Chicken Republic, Mr Olayato Aribo, told The Radiance: “I am short of words to express my feelings today that we have successfully installed an oba here, an oba of our own, the man we want on the throne.
I am sure he would rule well. His time would be good for us. This is the kind of oba we want; humble, level headed, well traveled, an enlightened oba and we believe he would do well. The mood of everybody in this town is joyful. We are all happy today and pray that this happiness would last in this community. His reign would be good for us.”
Also, a former Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara, said: “It is an event really welcome and I thank the Lord that I am here to witness it.
The new Kabiyesi is somebody we’ve known ourselves since 1992, and we’ve been together. He is a man of honour, very straightforward, but very frank. He is not a dubious person. That is why I am here; and I thank the Lord and I pray that his tenure as Kabiyesi in this town would be peaceful and the grace of the Lord will manifest in his life.”
Also, the head of Imoru chiefs who led his colleagues, dressed in white as the monarch and his olori, Chief Oluogbakan Solomon Sunday, said: “Our oba is a good man. Now that he is crowned king, all of us love him. Let us be patient for all he promised to do. We would support him.”
The instruments of office were presented at exactly 12. 54pm, an event which spontaneously threw the crowd mainly composed of the townspeople, into wild jubilation, as they trooped to the field, drumming, singing and dancing, such that it took appeals by the master of ceremony, for them to return to their seats, and for the ceremony to continue.
Oba Obamuwagun, dressed in white agbada with a white crown to match, waving a long white horsetail, together with his Olori Bosede who was similarly dressed in white iro and buba, were driven to St Paul’s school field, venue of the ceremony, at exactly 10.56am in a black Hyundai jeep marked Lagos EM204SMK.
Ven Ola Ajayi said the opening prayer. Mr Ayo Ogedengbe read a good will message from veteran journalists.
The entrance to the venue, the walls on which were displayed posters of many Imoru associations and clubs, had a large banner bearing a giant picture of the monarch in a white agbada and red cap. Guests filled all the seats arranged under many canopies.
They include Ondo State commissioner for Culture Mr Yemi Olowolabi; his counterparts for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Lady Lola Fagbemi; and Sports, Barr Dotun Owanikin; a governorship aspirant, Mr Dayo Fadahunsi; Former Managing Director of Owena Press Limited, Mr Osewole Modupe; Former Director News and Current Affairs, OSRC, Mr Sehinde Omokoba, a former Director at OSRC, Mr Ayo Ogedengbe and Akogun Tai Oguntayo.
There were Chairman Ose Local Government, Dr Anthony Modupe, Olufon of Ifon, Oba Adegoke Adeusi; Oba of Ijagba; Col Tunde Awodeyi; Olute of Ute, Oba Akinrogbe Oluwole; Onimeri of Imeri, Oba Agbodero Adeniran; Ven Oluwadare Ojowuro; Mr Segun Odusanya; Fagbemi Babes; Otunba and Mrs Omoniyi Omodara; Alafo of Afo, Oba S.A. Egunjobi; and Owo is One Association members led by Otunba Fabolude among others.
