Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Odofin Onasanya install as Oloritun Abosan
The traditional ruler of the ancient Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Emugoriade I, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, has described High Chief Tajudeen Duduyemi Onasanya as a worthy and responsible ambassador of Igbogbo.
The revered monarch said this at the installation of Chief Onasanya as the Oloritun Abosan, which is the highest decision making authority in Itun – Abosan in Igbogbo, a gathering which the monarch said he was attending for the first time to honour Chief Onasanya for his worthy activities.
The new Oloritun, at the installation ceremony, donated gifts items to the organ among which were chairs, drinks, ceiling fans among other things and also painted the Oritun building in celebration of his new position as well as in commemoration of his 70th birthday which was coincidentally on same day and the 26th anniversary of his installation as Odofin of Igbogbo.
It was an opportunity for Odofin of Igbogbo to also thanked the Oritun and his family for nominating him to be the Odofin of Igbogbo at a young age and other positions of responsibilities that the famil.y has bestowed upon him.
Prayers were offered at the ItunAbosan seat of power by Chief Yahya Agoro, the Apena of Igbogbo, Chief Oyesanya, Baba Segun General, Alasehe General, Alashe Ajafote, Olumale Eluku, Alagbo Ajafote, Baale Ewu Abiye, Ajana,’Baale Lajo, Alhaji Ganiu, the Imam of Itun Abosan and Odofin Onasanya’s elder sister, Alhaja Wasilat Bolowotan – Onasanya, for their new leader.
Oba Kasali, in his remarks, charged residents of the community to emulate the Odofin of Igbogbo in his commitment and dedication to family, community, palace and divisional issues.
“I am happy to be here today as a mark of respect for Odofin (High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya)”, the royal father said.
“Today’s event is a statement. A big statement for everyone to learn from”, he added.
“Among all the divisional Chiefs, Odofin is an outstanding personality, both in the Divisional and State traditional councils.
“He is our ambassador in Igbogbo and the entire Ikorodu Division because of his activities and commitment”, Oba Kasali said.
“Things will continue to turn out the way that God has arranged it. That is why we are here today.
“I am supposed to invite other Obas and Chiefs, both within and outside Ikorodu Division because of who Odofin is and his activities. There is no doubt that people referred to him as ‘Odofin Eru, Oba n’ilu ibomi’ (A powerful Chief that is equivalent to a king in other domains).
The royal father commended High Chief Onasanya for acknowledging the importance of everything that he has and for protecting them.
“There are many who do not recognise and appreciate the value of what they have in life and they handle these things with levity and in such a way that does not befit such values, but that is not Odofin. He acknowledges and appreciates everything and that is why we are gathered here to celebrate him today.
“I came across a letter written to me some years back. It was a letter from the Igbogbo Social and Economic Council (ISEC) which came into being through Odofin.
“It was a platform that he used to bring sons and daughters of Igbogbo together to contribute to the social and economic development of the community.
“During that time, I always honoured such an invite and revered my predecessor (Oba Fatola) and all the chiefs but today, I am sitting on the throne as an Oba”, Adeboruwa said.
The royal father said he is supporting Odofin because is a man with ideas and initiatives.
“I have heard many insinuations that Odofin is influencing decisions in the town but that is not true. Odofin is just a person that has ideas and initiatives when it comes to the development of the community and we need such a man in the community”, Kabiyesi said.
Oba Kasali appealed to members of Lantan Onanusi, Abosan and entire Igbogbo residents to let go of their differences which, according to him, have adversely affected the growth and development of the town and work together to bring about development.
“We should let go of all our differences in this family and Igbogbo community. We need to start cooperating and work together for development.
“I appeal to all of those that are still aggrieved to accept the development and join hands together to move the family and Igbogbo forward.
The celebrant, High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya, in his address, thanked the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo for attending Oritun gathering for the first time to honour him.
He also thanked the family and entire residents of the community for their support, cooperation and acceptance.
The High Chief said that his emergence as a multiple chief was responsible for his closeness to the family and community elders.
“I thank Kabiyesi for honouring me with his presence and for coming to Oritun for the first time”, Odofin said thankfully.
“It all started with Baba Oni Shop who I was very close to and other family and community elders and leaders who tutored me.
“I was with these elders to learn so much about the family and community at large and they entrusted many documents and information in my care.
“It is a must for young men to learn the ropes before attaining a certain position and that was what happened in my case”.
He appealed to elders to always call his attention to situations whenever he is not paying attention.
“I appeal to the elders and entire members of the family to cooperate with me and should always call my attention whenever the need arises because I am not a perfect person”, Odofin Onasanya said.
“I seek for your support and cooperation at all times in developing our family, community and entire Igbogbo Kingdom”.
After the ceremony at the Oritun, Odofin and other Oritun chieftains led the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo to visit the Oro Abosan shrine which Odofin also repainted with art works inscribed on the wall.
From the shrine, the revered traditional ruler also embarked on a walk with High Chief Onasanya and the large crowd on a procession to the Eru Odofin (Odofin shrine) in the company of the Osere Oloro group who were entertaining them.
At the Odofin shrine, prayers were offered while libations were also poured to appease the gods after which the procession headed to the Adeboruwa palace.
The crowd, after leading Oba Kasali to his palace, also led Chief Onasanya to his house in Itun Abosan while they also pay homage at important houses along the way.
