Ogun Installs First Oloja of Oja-Odan, Avows Governance

By: Sakirudeen Bashiru & Oluwakemi Faleti

In fulfillment of its Administration’s avowed commitment to bringing good governance to the grassroots through traditional institutions, the Ogun State Government has installed Oba Oyebanji Adetunji Olowobeshe as the first Oloja of Oja-Odan in Oja-Odan, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Governor Dapo Abiodun while presenting the staff of office to the new monarch said, the installation, which was crucial in the annals of the history of Oja-Odan land, was also a practical demonstration of his administration’s continued commitment to the enhancement of dignity and honour of the chieftaincy institution in Yewaland in particular and Ogun State in general.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, urged the new monarch to be accessible, receptive and responsive to his people’s yearnings, adding that his appointment should be seen as a call to serve his people, and as such, expected to champion all efforts that would further enhance peaceful co-existence with other neighbouring townships, while also cooperating with other Royal Fathers within Yewaland and the entire Ogun State.

“Your reign as an Oba in Yewaland should see to the creation and sustainable conducive environment for credible investors to do business in Oja Odan in order to justify the mandate and trust reposed in you by the good people of Oja Odan and the Ogun State Government.

The Executive Chairman, in the Local Government, Hon. Gabriel Ogunyomi in his welcome address urged the new monarch to see his position as that of father to all his subjects, by encouraging the unity of his people, adding that he should preserve the customs and traditions of his subjects and enhance socio-cultural development of the community.

In his remarks, the Olu and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, HRM, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle congratulated the people of Oja-Odan for the great feat, adding that there is need to first have a king, before they could have the Gazette, which would specify the ruling houses in the community.

Oba Olugbenle enjoined the people of Oja-Odan and its environs to cooperate with Kabiyesi in order to bring development which has been stalled in the last twenty years due to chieftaincy tussles.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Oyebanji Adetunji Olowobeshe appreciated Governor Abiodun and the entire people of Oja-Odan for the confidence reposed on him, calling on all the sons and daughters of Oja-Odan to come together as one indivisible family and join hands in developing their common inheritance.

Present at the ceremony included the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Onigua of Eegua land, Onimeko of Imekoland, Alademeso of Igan-Alade, Onijale of Ijale-Ketu, Oniwoye of Iwoye, Elebute of Ebute, Onisale of Isale, Alagodo of Agodo, Abepa of Joga Orile, Onitoro of Itoro, Oba NSO Fasina, Apagunpote of Yewaland, Otunba Akeem Adigun (SOCOPAO), Hon. Kayode Oladele, Chairman, Ogun Peace Committee, Chief Adewale Adesina (Saranda), Babaloja of Yewaland, Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, Chairman, IBD International Hotels Ltd, IBD IMPEX Ltd and IBD IMPEX Quarry and Oluomo of Yewaland, member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Yewa North II, Hon. Wahab Abiodun Egungbohun among others.