Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, Africa’s richest man and Chairman, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi are among dignitaries that are expected to visit Ede, the country home of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke on the governor’s conferment as the Asiwaju of Edeland on Monday.
The Timi of Ede land, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal will confer the title of Asiwaju of Ede on Adeleke in recognition of his achievements in the town and Osun at large.
This was made known on Sunday by Senator Kamorudeen Olalere Oyewumi, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of Senator Ademola Adeleke at 64 and installation as Asiwaju of Edeland during a press conference.
The chieftaincy title conferment ceremony coincides with the 64th birthday anniversary of Governor Adeleke.
Oyewumi said, “Osun is ready to host the world tomorrow (Monday) in Ede and by extension, the entire state,” adding that the chieftaincy title is a way of appreciating Adeleke’s giant strides.
“As a way of recall, the last occupant of the highly prestigious, traditionally important and culturally symbolic title of Asiwaju of Ede land, until his death in 2017, was no any other person than the first civilian Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who was the elder brother to the incumbent Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who is about to step into the shoes of that title tomorrow by the special grace of God.
“At the colourfully symbolic installation tomorrow (today) which coincides with His Excellency’s 64th birthday, His Imperial Majesty, the Timi of Ede land, Oba (Dr) Munirudeen Adesola Lawal who is also the royal host will lead an array of members of Timi- In-Council of Ede to confer the honorary chieftaincy title on his son, His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“The installation which will take place at the Timi’s Palace Square, Oja Timi, Ede by 11am by the special grace of God, also coincides with the Governors 64th birthday on earth.
“While we rejoice and radiate in the glory of God for being good to our Governor for sparing his life to live to be 64 years and as we pray for more years of fruitful service to God and humanity for him, it gladdens my heart to add that, the programme will also be used to launch a multi-million naira appeal fund for an ultra-modern palace for the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa (I).
“The Arole Oodua and Chairman, Osun Council of Obas, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja (II) is the Royal Guest of Honour at the 3 in 1 event,” the lawmaker said.
On why the monarch chose to honour Adeleke, Oyewumi stated that, “The reasons are quite many but not far-fetched. Simply put, the conferment of the title on Senator Ademola Adeleke is at the instance of no any other person than His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa (I) in acknowledgement and recognition of Senator Adeleke’s contribution to the growth and development of Ede land in particular and Osun state at large.
“In the same vein, the highly revered and respected Timi also took into cognizance, the enormity of the entire Adeleke dynasty’s contribution to the growth and development of Ede, Osun State and Nigeria at large. In other words, it is just a way of showing appreciation, not only to His Excellency, the Governor but to the entire Adeleke dynasty of Ede by the Timi of Ede in collaboration with the Timi in Council.”
While he announced a business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote as the Chief launcher, the Senator said the Chief Executive Officer of Bovas Petroleum, Chief (Mrs) Victoria Adunola Samson (Mama Bovas) is the Co-launcher.
“Our dear father, an elder statesman and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is the Father of the day alongside Africa’s richest woman ,business mogul and philanthropist of note, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, as The Mother of the Day .
“The Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde is host to his other Governor colleagues from different states of the federation at the 3 in 1 ceremony while the Chairman/CEO, Pacific Holdings Ltd and President, Adeleke University, Ede, Dr Adedeji Adeleke is the host,” he added.
