Beauty, they say, is nature’s brag and must be showcased in courts, at feasts, and high solemnities, where most may wonder at the workmanship. It was a new dimension in Ikere Kingdom at ODUN OBA 2019 as sons and daughters of Ikere (both at home and abroad) trooped out to celebrate ODUN OBA 2019 on Saturday, July 27, 2019, with the theme: Our Heritage, Our Pride!, Emmanuel Ogunremi reports.
As of Tuesday, July 23, 2019, hotels in Ikere Kingdom had been overbooked by various guests (with spillover to neighboring communities) as guests/visitors began to arrive from Monday, July 22, 2019.
Friday, July 26, 2019, was dedicated to the commissioning/inauguration of new projects. The projects commissioned were:
· T-Crown Guest House (built by Olori Olufunmilola Adejimi Adu Alagbado, Eyesorun of Ikere Kingdom)
· Palace (Kings/VVIP) Guest House (built by Bashorun Tunde Ogunsakin (AIG Rtd))
The first point of call on Friday, July 26, 2019, was T-Crown Guest House located at Ilu Olori (formerly Ugbo Olori), off Ijare Road, Ikere Kingdom. T-Crown Guest House comprises:
· 13 King & Queen Size rooms (all ensuite)
· A Reception, Bar & Restaurant.
In camaraderie with their own, at 2 pm, groups of Oloris from various Ekiti Kingdoms and environs, led by Olori Margaret Bosede Adejugbe (Eyesorun of Ado-Ekiti), arrived in Ikere Kingdom to celebrate with Olori Olufunmilola Adejimi Adu Alagbado, Eyesorun of Ikere Kingdom. By 3 pm, all dignitaries (among whom were Hon Prince Oludaiye (Father of Eyesorun), Olori Margaret Bosede Adejugbe, Bashorun Tunde Ogunsakin, Otunba Sola Adewumi, Bobagunwa Dimeji Isiaka, Otun Eyesorun, Yeye Bobagunga, Yeye Bashorun, Mrs. Yemisi Adefarati, Engr. Emmanuel Ogunremi, Hon Kayode Babade, High Chief Sapetu, Rev Omojola, all Ikere Traditional Chiefs, etc.) were already seated for the event.
The event started at 3:15 pm with the arrival of Kabiyesi. Hon Kayode Babade (Chairman, Technical & Vocational Education Board, Ekiti State) gave the opening prayer while goodwill messages were delivered by: Olori Margaret Bosede Adejugbe (on behalf of all Ekiti Oloris) and High Chief Babatola Olufemi (Sapetu of Ikere Kingdom). The Guest House was jointly commissioned by Bashorun Tunde Ogunsakin (AIG Rtd) and Olori Margaret Bosede Adejugbe (Eyesorun of Ado-Ekiti) to the applause of the audience. In his address at the event, Kabiyesi thanked God Almighty and appreciated Eyesorun as a helpful wife. Kabiyesi proclaimed the location of the guest house, which was formerly known as Ugbo Olori, as now Ilu Olori.
The next point of call was the Palace to commission the tastefully furnished Palace (Kings/VVIP) Guest House; the commissioning was performed by Agbogbomoja himself, HRM Alayeluwa, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado Agirilala II, the Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom. Kabiyesi gave thanks to God Almighty who in His infinite mercy made him the King over Ikere Kingdom and made his subjects supportive. The event went into climax with entertainment by Ikere-born Ekiti dialect musician, popularly called Saka Alowonle.
Saturday, July 27, 2019,
It was the D-day. As early as 8 am, the Palace Open courtyard was set, well decorated, and Juju Maestro, Micho Adewa, was already at his stand as people began to troop out for the event. At about 10 am, the palace open courtyard had been filled to the brim; Ikere people both old and young were exchanging greetings while appreciating the music of Micho Ade. Then came the arrival of Ikere Traditional Chiefs from their various quarters in groups (Otu). Ikere Traditional Chiefs danced (to the beat of Bata drums) according to their Otu with their families to the palace from their respective quarter heads’ houses. Also, the National Association of Ikere Students (NAIS) entered the arena in a rally manner; they had initially conducted a rally across various streets in Ikere as early as 7 am.
Now came the arrival of Royal Fathers from other Ekiti Kingdoms. HRM Oba Emmanuel Adebayo, Elemure of Emure Ekiti, was the first to arrive, followed by HRM Oba Abdul-Mumuni Adebayo Orisagbemi, Arojojoye Abolokefa IV, Attah of Ayede Ekiti. Then came the arrival of HRM Oba (Dr) Olatunji Samuel Olusola Atorise Yasokunrin 111, Ijagbemi 1, Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, and many Obas (as most of them were in seclusion) sent their Oloris. All Obas present came with at least five chiefs from their kingdom apart from their Olori.
At about 10:30 am, Kabiyesi magnificently stepped out of the palace inner chamber with his beautiful Olori to the admiration of the audience and sat on the throne. The event started with the singing of Ikere Anthem (led by Chief James Alonge, Odolofin of Okekere, Ikere Kingdom), followed by the opening prayer from both Christian and Muslim Clerics. The welcome address was delivered by Otunba Sola Adewumi (Chairman Planning Committee) after which goodwill messages were delivered by Engr. Emmanuel Ogunremi (IDF 1ST Assist. National Secretary on behalf of IDF) and Bar. Adeniyi Familoni (Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Ekiti State on behalf of Gov. Kayode Fayemi).
Immediately after goodwill messages were homage paying by various groups as follows:
The children in multicolor costumes were the first group to come out. They rendered Kabiyesi’s oriki and praises. Next to pay homage was the National Association of Ikere Student (NAIS). They came with their Matron (Princess Sayo Adenle Ojo). Next was the NYSC members in Ikere Local Govt; they came with a performance of UNITED Nigeria, dressed in Hausa, Ibo, and Yoruba attire. Next was the Supreme Council of Ikere Youths (SCIY). They presented Miss Ikere 2019 to Kabiyesi. The name of Miss Ikere
