The town of Odesenlu-Alaro in Ijebu North East Local government area of Ogun State came alive on Thursday, the 27th of August ,2020 as the coronation and presentation of staff and instruments of office to the new traditional ruler of the town, Oba Adedotun Oduneye Odusanya ,the Osijiya II as the Olu of Odosenlu-Alaro, in Odosenlu Ijebu by the number one citizen in Ogun State, the Executive Governor, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun took place amidst pomp and pageantry.
Thus, despite the Covid -19 protocols which required social distancing, the Odosenlu Town Hall venue of the epoch making coronation ceremony was brimming with joy and affection as people of the town came to witness the epoch making event.
Sons and daughters of the town therefore trooped out in large numbers while still maintaining the covid -19, protocol to be a partaker in the all-important occasion.
Oba Adedotun Oduneye Odusanya J.P succeeded Oba Shafi Olufemi Agbolade Sule whose reign was adjudged peaceful and eventful before joining his ancestors on 22nd January, 2019.
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Honorable Afolabi Afuape while presenting the staff of office to the new monarch challenged him to be ‘’faithful to all irrespective of socio-political or religious inclinations in order to have a successful reign.
The appointment of Oba Adedotun Oduneye Odusanya had overwhelming support of his people. It is on this premise that I want to appeal to aggrieved parties to sheath their swords, embrace peace and unite with the Kabiesi in order to move Odosenlu-Alaro forward.
The call for peace, unity and cooperation from different quarters is necessary for your common good , because a house divided against itself will never stand’’, the Governor cautioned.
Governor Abiodun also charged the new monarch to use his wealth of experiences to improve the lots of his people and Ijebuland at large, advising that he should not betray the trust the entire people of Odosenlu-Alaro entrusted in him when they made him their choice.
The Governor said Obas in Yorubaland wield great influence, power and authority in their various domains, while enjoining the new Kabiyesi to take advantage of the royal throne to fast track developmental activities in the interest of his people as this would be seen that he has stamped his footprint on the sand of time.
The number one citizen in the gateway state who appreciated the support his administration had been enjoying from royal fathers reiterated its government’s unflinching commitment to actualizing people’s oriented, laudable programmes across the state.
Governor Abiodun stated further while calling on the people of Odosenlu-Alaro to accord the monarch the needed support.
One is not surprised by the overwhelming support that the monarch has been accorded by the sons and daughters of Odosenlu-Alaro being the choice candidate with the trust and support of the entire sons and daughters of Odosenlu-Alaro.
“I sincerely hope that the entire people of Odosenlu-Alaro will continue to accord the Oba all the needed cooperation in order to move Odosenlu-Alaro forward”
Governor Abiodun later saluted the Awujalae and Paraounnt ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona for consenting to the choice of Oba Adedotun Oduneye Odusanya, saying his leadership qualities had always endowed him to his people.
To the new monarch, Governor Abiodun has this charge ‘’ To our new Oba, your Highness should acknowledge the fact that traditional rulers are the custodian of the people’s custom and tradition as well as our rich cultural heritage, hence the need to provide exemplary leadership’.
Earlier, the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland,Oba Sikiru kayode Adetona in a goodwill message said on his behalf by the Dagburewe of Idowa ,Oba Yinusa Adekoya urged the monarch to provide quality leadership, saying his Predecessor, Oba S. O Sule’s reign was very peaceful and eventful, while urging him to emulate his predecessor in piloting the affairs of the community.
Praying for him not to waver in his ability to provide the expected quality leadership to the people of Odosenlu, he reminded the new monarch that the stool belong to the people and he is only holding the exalted position in trust.
The Dagburewe of Idowa while delivering Awujale’s message said, “and he has equally asked me to appeal to Odosenlu-Alaro community to provide the new Oba their very rewarding followership
According to the paramount ruler, Odosenlu-Alaro has always been in the forefront of the vanguard of traditional rulership in Ogun State and in Ijebuland in particular
The Transition Chairman of Ijebu North East Local Government, Town Planner, Odunola Christopher Olusegun while formally welcoming people to the event said, “I rejoice with the sons and daughter of Odosenlu-Alaro at home and in the diaspora because the turnout of people and the joy and happiness written all over the faces of people here is no doubt an indication that the choice of Oba Adedotun Oduneye Odusnaya is the wish of the people of Odosenlu-Alaro community; therefore, I wish to congratulate the community for being able to present an acceptable candidate to fill the vacant stool of Olu of Odosenlu-Alaro peacefully and orderly”
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He stated further Odosenlu-Alaro is one of the pronounced communities in Ijebu North East Local government area. Odosenlu-Alaro is blessed with illustrious sons and daughters in all realms of life who have contributed immensely to the development of Ogun state and Nigeria as at large. I therefore, congratulate the Olu of odosenlu-Alaro on his coronation and enjoin him to use his pragmatic leadership qualities and exemplary life to mobilize and muster the support of the entire people in order to have a peaceful and successful reign
And, upon the presentation of staff of Office by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the brand new monarch stepped forward to address his people thus ‘’ I have no doubt in my mind that the task ahead is enormous and I believe that with the guidance of Almighty God and with the support of all sons and daughters of Odosenlu-Alaro home and abroad, we will move Odosenlu-Alaro forward. I must thank His Excellency, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR for the prompt endorsement of my candidature
He stated further ‘’ I must also thank the entire Odosenlu-Alaro citizens and especially the Chiefs and King makers for making the whole succession process a very peaceful one’’, praying that the Almighty God continue to give everyone peace and success in their various homes, even as he prayed that the peace which has marked the beginning of his reign will continue to wax stronger in the years ahead.
Oba Odusanya also thank the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona for his assent and support for his nomination as the Olu of Odosenlu-Alaro.
And like someone who has not lost touch of his source, the monarch even in the ecstasy that followed his coronation and presentation of Staff of office did not forget to appreciate and give honor to whom it is due, by specially thanking someone whom he referred to as to as ‘’Baba Oba’’.
He said ‘’ I want to specially thank my father , Otunba James Osinbeluwo, the regent of Odosenlu-Alaro for his timeless efforts in making this day a journey of good success. You have proven yourself suitable for the position of Baba Oba Odosenlu-Alaro. We shall put everything in place very soon to put you in the position, which you rightly and richly deserve’’
However, the first major assignment to be performed by the new monarch after the installation was the dancing to the traditional Gbedu drum along with other monarchs present. This was led by the Awujale of Ijebuland as represented by the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya who piloted the monarch, his wife, families and well-wishers to a beautiful dance steps.
The event was well attended by bevy of personalities and Who is Who in Ijebuland, apart from the retinue of traditional rulers that graced the occasion. In the roll call was the Senator Representing Ogun East Senatorial District and the Parakoyi of Ijebu-Ife, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Chief Ayo Odugbesan, former Commissioner for Information in Ogun State, Chief Fassy Yussuf, Chairman Board of Director of the Ogun State Television and the Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye.
As expected, traditional rulers from different communities in Ogun State also graced the occasion, including the Ajalorun of Ijebu-ife, Oba Adesesan Afolorunso Oguntayo, the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Rasaq Adenugba among others.
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