Kunle Adelabu
-Sue for peace, unity
Traditional chiefs in Ijede, has welcomed the reign of the new Alajede, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Hon. ) Adefarasin Shaheed Hassan, Ajanaku II, describing it as a dawn of a new era in the kingdom.
The Olisa of Ijede, High Chief Alliu Musediq, who served as the Regent of Ijede, since the demise of late Oba Fatai Oresanya 14 years ago, Aro of Ijede, High Chief Rasaq Oyebanjo, and others, spoke with THE IMPACT at the commencement of the traditional rites for the new Alajede, at the weekend.
Olisa Alliu, speaking, described the sucessful commencement of the traditional rites as historic.
“Today is historic and a wonderful one for the people of Ijede. I am happy that I am part of it. In actual fact, I had to rush down from where I was to join them at Igbo Ajede, because they cannot do the necessary traditional rites behind me, and it is a must for me to be there”, Olisa said.
The traditional Prime Minister of Ijede expressed his happiness regarding the new king whom he is optimistic will bring peace and progress to Ijede.
“My expectation and main focus are to have a new reign with development, peace and progress.
“I pray to God to assist us in making his reign a successful one”.
While unveiling activities that are involved in the traditional rites for the new Alajede, the traditional chief also urged residents of Ijede, to support and cooperate with the new king.
“After his entry into the Igbo Ajede, the next is to be hosted at Osugbo, Ipebi, and after that move to the palace where he will be seated on the ancestors’ stool.
“I appeal to the Ijede people to cooperate with the new Alajede. They should let us work in peace and harmony, because where there is no peace, there cannot be progress”.
High Chief Rasaq Olawale Oyebanjo, the Aro of Ijede, described the last 14 years when the Obaship crisis polarised the community, as very turbulent in the life of the kingdom, but expressed happiness at the turn of events.
“The last 14 years have been very turbulent, but we are thankful and grateful to God that we have overcome it. But the Ijede of now is making me happy. It has been a new dawn since January 9th.
“People of Ijede have been opportuned to see the coronation of a new Oba, because many of them did not witness that of Oba Fatai Oresanya and Oba Akilo. I am so happy that I was installed as Aro by the late Oba Fatai Oresanya and today, I am also witnessing the installation of Oba Adefarasin Hassan who is from my ruling house – Ajanaku Ruling House”, Chief Oyebanjo said.
The Aro of Ijede also exoressed his appreciation to the other four Ruling Houses in Ijede, for supporting Ajanaku Ruling House in pesenting the new Alajede.
“We are happy that someone from Ajanaku is today on the throne. I am happy and thankful to all the Ruling Houses in Ijede, for their support and approval for Ajanaku Ruling House to present the Alajede.
“This was made possible by the gazette which has five ruling houses in Ijede, and which has Ajanaku as the only one out of the five that is yet to produce an Oba, but today, we too have mounted the throne.
“My appreciation goes to Olisa who has been steering the ship of Ijede, in the last 14 years as the Regent and today, he is returning to his position as the Olisa. I pray that he will continue to deliver his service to Ijede, in good health, wisdom and wealth.
“May the reign of Oba Adefarasin Hassan last forever. May his reign bring prosperity, happiness and development”, he said.
Baale of Ipakan, Chief Mustapha Lasisi, also speaking, assured that the reign of Oba Adefarasin, will bring about enlightenment and development.
“The emergence of Oba Adefarasin Hassan, is a new reign and new dawn in Ijede. We are happy that we are having an educated Oba who is also well connected.
“He served as the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II and also served as the Chairman, Ijede LCDA, twice.
“That shows us that he is an enlightened Oba who has been involved in politics and administration of Ijede and Lagos State. We are happy that he is not an Oba, that we need somebody to take to the corridor of power. He has access to power bases in Ijede, Lagos and in Abuja”.
He emphasised that the reign of Oba Adefarasin as continuation of his service to his community and humanity.
“This is another opportunity for him to continue with his developmental agenda for Ijede and for our development. It was when he was in the House of Assembly that he struggled that Ijede should be a local government and today, we have that.
“It’s like God has given him the vision and today, he is in charge of that vision”.
He described the large turnout by residents of Ijede, for the traditional rites of Oba Adefarasin, as a pointer to peace and harmony in Ijede.
“With this crowd that you are seeing today, it has shown that we are together for peace, unity and progress in Ijede.
“What happened in the last 14 years was normal, because there must be interest in whatever that is good and that is why everybody wants to sit on the stool, and now that we have all picked Oba Adefarasin, he is going to get our full support and cooperation”.
Chief (Mrs) Aminat Fasasi Isiaka, Erelu Alajede, in her own submission, said that the emergence of Oba Adefarasin, is a good development for Ijede.
“We are thankful to God that we are witnessing today which God has made. This is a great step forward in Ijede, because we experienced many things in the past years but today, we are witnessing a new dawn.
“There was no Oba for 14 years but today, we have a new Oba, Oba Adefarasin Saheed Hassan who was presented with the staff of office on January 9th and today, he has successfully visited the Igbo Ajede, and the programme continues”.
She pleaded with residents of Ijede, home and abroad, to return home to support the new King and development of Ijede.
“I urge all Ijede sons and daughters anywhere in the world, to return to Ijede, to support us in moving the town forward”.
Baale Igbe Akapo, Chief Ajasa Sunday Ofulu, while stating that people are joyous over the emergence of the new Alajede, assured residents of safety of their lives and properties.
“I am happy like every other Ijede resident. You can see the joy on the faces of the large crowd at the Igbo Ajede, because we now have a new King.
“Aside from being a Baale, I am also a senior security officer. Moreso, I am the Chief Security Officer in Ijede, traditionally.
“I am assuring the people of Ijede that the security of lives and properties are assured. We are on top of the situation, and I can guarantee you that there will be no breakdown of law and order in Ijede.
“The reign of the new Alajede of Ijede, Oba Adefarasin Saheed Hassan, will be peaceful and we, the hunters and other security agents, are fully prepared to work with him to give adequate security.
“You can see the way we took care of the large crowd when the new Alajede visited the Igbo Ajede. That is how we are going to protect the town and make socio-economic and other activities go on peacefully”
He, however, urged youth of Ijede to be law abiding during and after the coronation of the new Alajede.
“My message to the youth in Ijede, is to enjoin them to be law abiding, peaceful, and have respect for the constituted authority”.
