By KEMI KASUMU
Like a newly born baby cherished in his freshness of arrival, the Osolo of Isolo, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole Osalade II, reeme4ged in the freshness of his royalty as grandfinale of 5th Coronation Anniversary marking his ascension to the throne was celebrated in the ancient town on Tuesday.
The Osolo’s Palace venue of the event became a Mecca of sort as dignitaries from across walks of life including traditional institution, politics, organised private sector and business communities thronged in to be counted as part of the celebration.
Oba Adewole, by his rough trek to where he stands today, is considered an achiever per excellence. His resilience and marathon spirit with which the path has been trodden for that long until he was finally recognised, four years after emergence, presented Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment on Thursday December 15, 2022 by Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN) has continued to marvel friends, far and near. The Isolo people of Ondo State, like those of Isinkan will continue to have Governor Akeredolu and entire members of his administration as well as the Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Olaniyi, to thank for the eventual official recognition and facelift that the kingdom finally achieved with their king, Oba Adewole.
Isolo chiefs in celebration mood as they arrive Osolo’s Palace for the grand finale of 5th Coronation Anniversary of Osolo of Isolo, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Tuesday June 13, 2023.
Of note and heavily appreciated have been the solidarity and support offered by Attah and Paramount Ruler of Aiyede Kingdom, Ekiti State, Oba Alhaji AbdulMumini Adebayo Orisagbemi Abolekefa IV; the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Owo Local Government, Ondo State, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Iralepo of Isinkan Kingdom, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola Olofin-Adimula, Arulewolasi III; the Iresi of Osi, Oba David Olajide; the Akapinsa of Ipinsa Land, Oba Omoniyi Olufunmilayo, and several other figures, who stood to identify with the Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole and his autonomous Isolo community people throughout the period of their travails.
The achievement of providing effective leadership for the peace, unity and development of the Isolo town is one major milestone that made the 5th Coronation Anniversary a worthwhile for the Ademodi Ruling House product that is today the Osolo of Akure South’s popular township community.
Cross-section of Isolo people and other guests at the Osolo’s Palace during the grand finale of 5th Coronation Anniversary of Osolo of Isolo, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Tuesday June 13, 2023.
On Tuesday June 13, 2023, the celebration peaked with influx of top dignitaries including politicians, business magnates, royal fathers, religious leaders, government functionaries, witnessed in the city township, who came with main reason of joining other lovers of Isolo to celebrate with His Royal Majesty Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole, Osalade II, Osolo of Isolo on the occasion of his 5th Coronation Anniversary.
The eventful programme had commenced with visitors and people of the town paying of homage to the Osolo, surrounded by his chiefs and all the groups. The visitors, including the Isinkan, Ugele, Osi, Irese people among others, were not left out as they also paid their homage to the celebrant Isolo monarch.
Cross-section of Isolo people and other guests at the Osolo’s Palace during the grand finale of 5th Coronation Anniversary of Osolo of Isolo, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Tuesday June 13, 2023.
The homage was immediately followed with a welcome address read by the anniversary planning committee chairman, Prophet Orimoloye Omooba and then the Osolo delivered his speech, wherein he appreciated “the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN), and members of his cabinet for putting eternal smile on the faces of entire Isolo people by liberating them from age-long slavery.”
High Chief Ezekiel Ibukun Aladetoyinbo, the Elemo of Isolo Kingdom, giving his vote of thanks at the Osolo’s Palace during the grand finale of 5th Coronation Anniversary of Osolo of Isolo, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Tuesday June 13, 2023.
Highlights were made by the king of reasons the 5th Coronation Anniversary on the throne was worth a celebration and these were listed to include: 1. Government official recognition of Osolo stool as substantial Oba with statutory inclusion; 2. Official declaration and profiling of Osolo stool by Akure South local government; 3. Witness of monumental development in Isolo town, for example, the first fly-over in Akure South located in Isolo; and 4. Relative peace and tranquility in all the communities of Isolo Kingdom.
In his address, Oba Adewole seized the opportunity afforded him by the event to call on sons and daughters of the land to collaborate with him to move the kingdom forward “as home is the best for rest after sojourning for green pastures.
The programme also witnessed presentation of gifts to Osolo, with family of Atonmutimi making the first presentation followed by others.
HRH Oba Edward Adewole.
At the tail end of the programme, High Chief Ezekiel Ibukun Adetoyinbo, the Elemo of Isolo Kingdom, gave the votes of thanks, after which a traditional musician “Seun Oloundan” rose to the band stand entertaining all the guests with his traditional music performance.
On the eve of the day were game and sports competitions featuring ‘Ayo Olopon’, Ludo and Table Tennis. Overall winner of all the competitions, Mr. Oluwole Ojo, was presented with a trophy and cash prize.
Ayo Olopon game.
Coronation Anniversary Jumat Service is scheduled for Friday 16 June, 2023 at Isolo Central Mosque to be followed on Sunday by Church Service in the same Isolo, according to a programme schedule made available to The DEFENDER by Special Assistant to the Osolo on Media and Administration, Comrade Ayomide Michael.
Guests in attendance included the Akapinsa of Ipinsa Land, Akure South, Oba Omoniyi Olufunmilayo; the Obaloogun of Igoba, Akure North Local Government; the Olurese of Irese Oba Ahmed Adekunle Saka, Ifedore Local Government; the Olumafon of Imafon; the Olugele of Ugele, among other dignitaries.
At the band stand.
