Kunle Adelabu
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Hon.) Adefarasin Saheed Hassan, Ajanaku II, the Alajede of Ijede on Saturday commenced the traditional coronation rites with a successful visit to Igbo Alajede.
The entry into the Alajede Grove which was unannounced witnessed residents trooping out to welcome and hail their new king on his way to the sacred place.
Upon arrival at 3:31pm, he was ushered into the grove where the traditional rites were performed for several hours.
Outside the grove were women and men who cannot have access to the sacred place were waiting, while the necessary ceremonies were being performed inside, the crowd outside started growing until the whole place was filled with children, women and men of ijede.
The large crowd made the movement very difficult for the new Alajede and his entourage to navigate their way through the crowd upon exit from the grove as the whole surrounding area was crowded with jubilant residents who are willing to have another Oba (Alajede) about 14 years after the passage of the late Alajede.
At the Alajede Grove for the traditional rites were the Olisa of Ijede who acted as the Regent through the period of interregnum, High Chief Alliu Musediq, Aro of Ijede, High Chief. Rasaq Olawale Oyebanjo, Otunba Lanre Kuye among many other prominent Ijede sons and daughters.
The traditional rites continue today with the visit of Oba Adefarasin to Osugbo, the highest traditional institution for a round of other rites.
After the Osugbo, he is expected to begin the period of traditional seclusion that will see him confined to his place of seclusion for many days.
