Kunle Adelabu
It was a jubilation galore in Ijede and Oke – Eletu communities of Ijede Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu Division, Southwest, Nigeria, on Monday, January 9, 2023, when High Chief Adeniyi Omotayo Ajayi, began the traditional rites for his installation as the new Eletu of Oke – Eletu, while a crowd of residents; both in Oke-Eletu and ljede, trooped out in large number to witness the historic event.
After many years of protracted crisis in the selection of new Eletu, Honourable Justice Akapo of the Lagos State High Court sitting at Ikeja, in December 2022, ruled in favour of Prince Adeniyi Omotayo Ajayi of the Ayanlu Ruling House.
Following the court ruling which the other party said that they will not appeal and consequently granted their support to the family choice, the Lagos State Government, in a letter signed by the Special Adviser, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Bolaji Kayode Roberts and dated December 23, 2022, approved Chief Adeniyi’s appointment as Baale of Oke – Eletu.
Earlier, the Executive Council of the Lagos State Government, had, at its 84th meeting on Monday, December 31, 2021, approved Prince Adeniyi’s appointment, but suspended it due to a litigation on the chieftaincy title.
In another letter by the Ijede LCDA with Reference No: IJD/LCDA/079/VOL.111/73, dated January 9, 2023, and signed by the Council Manager, Mr Ademola Azeez, the appointment of the Eletu was also confirmed.
On the day of the commencement of the traditional rites, the new Eletu, who was in all – white attire, first arrived at the ancestral home of the Aniyera Ruling House in Ijede where necessary rites were performed at the Olootu Ebi (head of the family) house. Thereafter, he paid visits to different sections of the royal compound where prayers were also offered.
He also spent some time in the inner chamber of the Aniyera Royal House where an Eletu must visit before ascending the throne.
Leaving the Aniyera’s house, the crowd, comprising his wife, family members, friends, associates and residents of Ijede, Oke – Eletu and Ikorodu, had more than tripled. In their company, High Chief Adeniiyi moved to the Osugbo Abalaye conclave in Ijede where he was initiated as one of the Iwarefas (Kingmakers) and an Osugbo chieftain.
The Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division and Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, Fadheelat Sheikh Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowo – Oribi, who is the head of Ayanlu Ruling House, Chief Imam, Ikorodu West LCDA, Alhaji Mushafau Aridegbe Kosoko and other family members, colleagues and guests who could not go to the conclave, stayed at the frontage of the Aniyera’s compound were they were entertained.
After hours of successful rites at the Osugbo conclave, the new Eletu, in the company of a large crowd and Apepe group, returned to the inner chamber of the Aniyera Ruling House where he again spent about an hour before returning to the chamber’s entrance where another round of rites were conducted.
Triumphantly, he danced round before he and his cheering crowd proceeded from Ijede, in a long convoy en – route Oke – Eletu where a big social gathering was organized.
At Oke – Eletu, the Osugbo chieftains led High Chief Adeniyi to visit and pay homage at some shrines, houses and other traditional sites. The first place to visit was the Ajaye groove, the deity that Eletu brought to Oke Eletu to settle down with. It is also known as the Oro festival. He also paid and performed rites at the ljshrines of ljinla Fraternity, Olowo Oke (Awopa), Eluku, Agemo, Ogun, Esu among many others.
High Chief Adeniyi was also led to visit the homes of custodians of these deities and ancestral homes of Eletus before joining the social gathering where he moved round to acknowledge cheers and greetings from guests and wellwishers.
Meanwhile, speaking with THE IMPACT, the new Eletu explained the traditional rites performed at the Aniyera House and Osugbo conclave in Ijede.
“The significance of my journey to Osugbo is to confirm and authenticate that the Eletu of Oke – Eletu truly has a seat in Osugbo and is one of the Iwarefas (Kingmakers) in Ijede. The traditional rites are not complete as Eletu, not until you enter the Osugbo conclave, because the Eletu has a sit there. After the demise of Alajede and the process of selecting an Alajede begins, The Eletu of Okeletu is one of the Kings makers that will sit in the selection of Alajede”, High Chief Adeniyi said.
“The traditional rites at the Aniyera Ruling House is a must that every Eletu has to pass through, because the Aniyera family has a role to play in the installation of an Eletu. I passed through three different rooms during the traditional rites.
“In those rooms, I passed through certain processes and thank God for what He has done for me in those rooms”, he added.
He was full of appreciation to the traditional rulers and chiefs, family chieftains and members and others that supported and contributed to his emergence and successful installation rites.
“I want to sincerely thank some people, most importantly, the royal father of Ikorodu Kingdom and the Ayanbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Olisa of Ijede, High Chief Musediq Aliu, the Odofin of Ijede, High Chief Babatunde Ogunmuyiwa, the former head of my family, Late Alhaji Agunbiade, the present one, Chief Imam, Alhaji Ayinla Seifudeen Olowo – Oribi, head of Shogba Ruling House, Chief Alowonle Oludayo Oshikoya, and our pillar, Pastor Fatai Ajalogun, and so many others that I can’t mention. I owe them all so much gratitudes.
“Also, I want to express my appreciation to those with whom we fought for this position: Prince Sogo Osokoya, Prince Oluwadare Osokoya and others, I thank them for the spirit of sportsmanship that they have imbibed and exhibited. I want to assure them that I will not let them down because they have made a strong statement that they won’t be appealing the judgement of the court which I would like to thank them for.
“I assure them that the confidence that they have in me as the Eletu, that I won’t let them down.
“I thank every member of my family: my wife, children and other family members as well as friends and well – wishers and people that stood by me through the trying periods”, he said appreciatively.
Moreso, Pastor Fatai Ajalogun, the Asiwaju of Okeletu and Chairman, Oke – Eletu Development Foundation, also speaking on the significance of the observation of traditional rites in Ijede and at Oke – Eletu, by the new Eletu, said:
“The process today is just the formalization of the traditional rites of the Eletu being presented as the head of Oke – Eletu. From Oke – Eletu, he moved to the Aniyera’s house in Ijede and later to Osugbo where he performed some rites and he is expected to take his seat in the Osugbo as one of the Iwarefas of Alajede”.
“So, it was after the formal initiation in Ijede that we returned to Oke – Eletu to do other formalization”.
He described High Chief Adeniyi as an educated person who is equally and well – informed traditionally, and who will bring his wealth of experience to bear on the position.
“Niyi is a graduate and an exposed and experienced young man; socially, culturally, traditionally and academically. He also has a personality that stands out in the midst of other people. He is experienced. I have known him for more than 35 years, and I believe he is fit for the post “, Pastor Ajalogun said.
