Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye with Joy Fasunnon & Bolu Orebajo (SIWES Students)
-Coronation activities commence soon
It was celebration galore on Friday, at Elepe Kingdom, as jubilant residents, family members, friends and well-wishers, welcomed their new king, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul-Ganiyu Adekoyejo Omotayo, back to his palace l, after spending over 50 days in seclusion.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo –Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert, had, on Thursday, July 18, 2024, presented the staff of office and certificate of appointment to the new Oba, at the Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, lgbogbo.
Oba Omotayo, who left ‘Ipebi’ (place of seclusion) around 5am on Friday, September 13, arrived at the Osugbo shrine at around 5.20am with chieftains of the royal family and traditional chiefs. After about three hours, the traditional ruler triumphantly emerged from the Osugbo chamber where he was crowned with the traditionally beaded crown as the first Fidimolu of Elepe Kingdom.
He emerged from the Osugbo chamber in company of chieftains and members of the Osugbo cult from Igbogbo and Elepe Kingdoms, among whom were the Odofin of Igbogbo, High Chief Tajudeen Alade Onasanya, Apena of Igbogbo, Chief Yahya Agoro, Oluwo of Elepe, Chief Abayomi Ajayi, Apena of Elepe, Chief Jamiu Ogunnowo, Iyalode Igbogbo, Chief (Mrs) Karimot Jokotade Ojikutu and Balogun of Igbogbo, Chief Jelili Oduntan among others
Immediately the monarch came out of the Osugbo chamber, he was joyously received by a cheering crowd of members and chieftains of his royal family, residents and well-wishers who had kept vigil at the Osugbo chamber, waiting to receive him.
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Mr Odusanya Olutope Sakirudeen, FCA, Chairman, Oba Ganiyu Omotayo Coronation Planning Committee, speaking with THE IMPACT at the palace, said that the ceremony organised in welcoming the new King was the first of series of other activities lined up for the coronation of the new Elepe.
“Kabiyesi, today, completed what they usually call ‘Ipebi’, which is seclusion in Yoruba town. He has been in seclusion over forty days, and so he is coming out today, it calls for a joyous occasion to welcome him back.
“After the outing today, the next stage will be other traditional rites like the third, seventh and fourteenth day activities and then the final coronation ceremony, which is going to be a big party and social gathering”, he said.
Mr Odusanya, who was the former General Manager, Lagos State Printing Press Corporation, said that the emergence of the first monarch in Elepe, will bring about respect and development for the kingdom.
He appealed to residents to support the coronation activities and respect the new king by following the laws and traditions of Elepe Kingdom.
“Normally, the emergence of any Oba in the kingdom is always a welcome development, because attention is always on such kingdom, unlike before that we had Baale. The significance of having an Oba cannot be under play, because he will be part of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and been there, he can bring more development to the community and the town at large.
“This is the first king we are having in Elepe community, and we want the residents to give their support and discharge their civic responsibilities just like any other community. They should obey the king and the chieftaincy committee that will be put in place”, he said.
Honourable (Prince) Jimoh Adeleke Ogunmuyiwa, chieftain of Ijaolu Royal Family and former Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, who said that the entire community is happy, also added that the emergence of the King who had been a Baale for over 40 years, will accelerate development in Elepe.
“Well, I am not surprised that everything is going on well as planned by the family. I am from the same branch of the royal family with Kabiyesi. God is in support of what we are doing and you can see that people are happy to receive their Oba back into the community.
“The Kabiyesi was a Baale for good 46 years and all through the Baaleship period, the development in the town did not stop and now that he has become the Oba recognised worldwide, people should be expecting very good development in the town.
“The people in the community are happy because they know that government at the federal, state and local level will be bringing development to the area”, he said.
Prince Ogunmuyiwa, who is the Babaloja General of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, also assured of a grand coronation celebration.
“This is just celebrating Kabiyesi’s exit from seclusion and you can see how joyous the people are. So, you can imagine what the situation would be for the coronation”, he said.
The Olumale of Elepe Kingdom, Chief Oluwatoyin Okematti Olumale, while thanking family members and residents of Elepe, for their support so far, while he appreciated the Governor of Lagos State and Obas in Ikorodu Division, for their support in ensuring the emergence of the first Oba in Elepe.
“We thank family and friends for the support so far regarding the emergence of our father, Oba Abdul Ganiyu Adekoyejo, the Olutemowo I, as the first Oba and first Fidimolu of Elepe Kingdom.
“We appreciate the government of Lagos State, especially the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his support in the making of our king. At the same time, we appreciate all the kings in Ikorodu Division, starting from our father, Oba Shotobi, Ranodu, Adeboruwa, Olubeshe, Adeboruwa and Obateru among others, for the support they offered us in the emergence of our King.
“Our father was a Baale for over 40 years before his crowning today, that he is stepping out of Ipebi”, he said.
He also used the occasion to call for government’s presence in the community.
“We are using this opportunity to request for the government’s presence in Elepe. We want state and local government’s presence here in terms of projects. Our plans is to assist Kabiyesi in moving Elepe forward.
“We are happy because we are making history in our lifetime with the emergence of the first Oba in Elepe. We are happy for the fact that we have made the emergence of our father, Oba Ganiyu, as a king a reality. With this, peace will reign and there will be development”, Chief Okemati assured.
Among royal and other families that partook in the welcoming ceremony were: Emugoriade of ljaolu Royal Family, Melolu Royal Family of Elepe, Upamo Oba Adekunye of Ijaolu Elepe, Osota family and Oyekade Royal Family of Elepe.
Groups present were The Mandate Movement (TMM, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Irepodun Tradition Medical Practitioner, Ikorodu Division Firewood Seller and Supplier Association, Nigeria Union of Tailors Lagos State Council, Lagos State Cooked Food Sellers Association, Arewa Community Development Association, Elepe Grinders (foodstuff) and Owode Market, Elepe town, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
