By KEMI KASUMU
The long cries of Isolo, Akure South Local Government people of Ondo State have finally been wiped off with presentation of Instrument of Office and Staff of Office, to their traditional head, His Royal Highness Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole, Osalade II, as the 18th Osolo of Isolo Kingdom.
Although one of the oldest autonomous communities in the state, Isolo, like Isinkan, has gone through hell in the face of attempts to rewrite the already naturally sealed history by the Akure people led by their king, the Deji.
With the recognition by the only prescribing authority over all traditional matters in Ondo State, Mr. Governor, people of the promising community, joined by well wishers from across other communities, for instance Isinkan, Ipinsa, others in Akure South Local Government, and Irese, Ifedore Loca Government, are in festive mood jubilating over the beginning of a new era in the ancient city township, as they thank God and the “Talk-and-Do” Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), for being the Moses of their time.
Governor Akeredolu, on Thursday, effectively presented the Instrument of Office and Staff of Office to Oba Edward Adewole thus coronating him officially as the substantive Osolo of Isolo, Akure South, Ondo State, South West Nigeria.
Present at the event along with the Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Dele Ologun, were Chairman Akure South Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Olaniyi, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Akapinsa of Ipinsa Kingdom, Oba Omoniyi Olufunmilayo, and the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Oluwagbemiga Olofin-Adimula Ojo ably represented.
Others at the event were Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede, Onirese of Irese, Ifedelore Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Ahmed Destiny Adekunle Saka, former Chairman, Ondo State Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Jimoh Ibrahim, representative of Isolo Muslim Community leadership, Alhaji Idris Ilemobola Yesufu, Chief Tefsir of Akure Land Sheikh Moshood Raji Kewuyemi, the Seriki of Akure Land, Alhaji AbdulKadir Mustafa, top government functionaries, security officers and several community leaders.
While presenting the Staff of Office and Instrument of Office to the Osolo, the governor reiterated his order that no king anywhere in Ondo State shall encroach on domain other than his own.
He congratulated the newly coronated Osolo of Isolo, Oba Edward Adewole and the resilient people of Isolo on the new history being made in their time with a promise that his administration will continue to do what is right for people of the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman Akure South Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Olaniyi, expressed joy that the august event of the coronation of Osolo of Isolo Kingdom, Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole Osalade II, happened during his own tenure as Executive Chairman of the local government, adding in Yoruba Language that, “Ti won ba gesin ninu mi loni, ko ni kose“, expressing the extent of his happiness that Osolo was presented Staff of Office in his time.
He noted that the elevation of Osolo was in accordance with Hon. Justice Ajama-led Commission of Enquiry Report.
He thanked Governor Akeredolu for his undelayed response to the yearnings and aspirations of the good people.
“Your vigour and rapid response to Chieftaincy matters and problems in the state is unquantifiable, hence the calmness being witnessed in almost all towns and villages in the state as regards chieftaincy matters.
“Sir, on behalf of the Osolo, Chiefs and the good people of Isolo community, I want to thank His Excellency Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his Team for this kind gesture,” Hon. Olaniyi said
He added by acknowledging the achievements of the governor in the area of security and safety of lives and properties of the citizenry across Ondo State.
He congratulated the new Osolo of Isolo and his “amiable and supportive Oloris who had stood as rock of Gibraltar” behind the king, adding by urging the newly installed Osoli of Isolo, Oba Edward Adewole, to “see your elevation and coronation as a king today as a clarion call to increase your service to your wards and to equally strive to build cordial relationship with all the Obas in Akure South Local Government for peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship”.
In his response, Oba Edward Adewole thanked the Governor for saving the Isolo Kingdom from ‘age-long slavery.’
“Indeed a special and remarkable day in Isolo Town as it marks the beginning of a new history in Isolo. Our appreciation will be unending to the only real Arakunrin in Ondo State His Excellency Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON and his cabinet for liberating us from age-long slavery,” the Osolo said.
The monarch promised to make peace with kings of other neighbouring kings in Akure Local Government including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, around Ondo State and beyond for the peace of the state and, by extension, Nigeria.
He concluded his speech with a call on all Princes and princesses from Ademodi, Abibiri and Asinigbo Ruling Houses, which are the three ruling houses in Isolo, to join him in progressively projecting and moving Isolo town forward.
Other photographs from the coronation below:
