Omu-Aran, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, was agog a fortnight ago. Reason: The community played host to thousands of guests who came from all walks of life for the outing and thanksgiving service for the late Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Oladele Ibitoye, Adogbajale bi-ileke II, who joined his ancestors on November 30, last year at the age of 64.
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Omu-Aran venue of the outing and thanksgiving service was filled to capacity. Control of traffic and crowd at the well-attended event by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was taxing.
Local singers and drummers were not left out as they were seen in groups either welcoming visitors or entertaining guests with their sonorous songs which also added colour to the ceremony.
A popular juju musician also thrilled the audience with his music at the reception ground. Family cloth (Aso Ebi) was endless at the arena. As expected, popular ceremonial photographers had a busy day all through; making brisk business as people were seen taking photographs, using the various portraits of the late Oba pasted on the walls at the venue as background.
The roll call of dignitaries at the occasion was endless; ranging from traditional rulers, especially members of the State Council of Chiefs and other royal fathers from both within and outside the state, representative of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, government officials led by the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, members of the Olomu-in-Council, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industries, politicians, artisans and various interest groups to friends and family members of the late monarch.
Of particular note was the presence of representatives of the 1972 set of Offa Grammar School who came to honour their departed classmate.
In his sermon at the church service, the Bishop of New Bussa Diocese, the Rt Rev. Israel Amao advised one and all to live each day of their life as if it was the last on earth, noting that no one knows when death will come knocking.
He said: “Death has no respect for anyone. The rich and the poor will all die at an appointed time and everyone should strive to do what is right and Godly because of eternity.
“The way to heaven is for one to have salvation and follow God’s commandments strictly; our leaders should do what is pleasing in the sight of God so that they can receive good recommendations before their maker.”
The cleric, who admonished the children of the late monarch, traditional rulers, political office holders and, indeed, all and sundry to remember at all times that death was inevitable, prayed God to continue to sustain members of the immediate family of Oba Ibitoye and Omu-Aran community in general.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (CON) revealed that the sum of N250 million for the rehabilitation of Omu-Aran township roads has been captured in the 2018 Budget.
Saraki, who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola, said the approval under the Federal Government road intervention initiative was facilitated by his office as part of efforts at ensuring the well-being of the people, especially at the grassroots. He, however, assured that the Senate would work assiduously to ensure that the road intervention in Omu-Aran community became a reality.
On the passage of late Oba Ibitoye, Saraki described him as a courageous and humble leader, who was committed to the growth, progress and development of his community. He further said he did his best and gave adequate support to his administration during his tenure as Governor of Kwara State.
“During my tenure as governor of the state, the late Oba Ibitoye gave his best support and was very passionate about the development of his community,” the Senate President stated. He, therefore, urged those indigenous to Omu-Aran to strive to sustain the legacies left behind by the late monarch.
In his goodwill message, Governor Ahmed described the late Oba as an industrious and kindhearted monarch who discharged his royal duties with dignity and fear of God.
“He was a First-Class monarch with a difference; very industrious and kindhearted. We will miss his counseling and fatherly advice”, the governor said.
Alhaji Ahmed reiterated his unflinching support for the people of Omu-Aran, assuring that his administration will continue to assist the community in its developmental projects. He also urged the people of the ancient town and the incoming Olomu to emulate the legacies the late monarch had laid down.
Ahmed, however, prayed God to grant Omu-Aran community and the late monarch’s family the courage and fortitude to bear his passage.
Speaking on behalf of the Olomu-in-Council, the Petu of Omu-Aran and acting traditional head of the town, Chief Festus Awoniyi said the late Oba Ibitoye possessed exemplary leadership style while his reign lasted.
Awoniyi, who pledged that the Council would strive to sustain the legacies left behind by the departed monarch, advised indigenes and non-indigenes in the community to continue to support the leaders in prayers with a view to having a smooth and hitch-free succession.
Also speaking, the Eesa designate, Chief Jide Adebayo said the reign of Oba Ibitoye witnessed an unprecedented growth and development in Omu-Aran.
Chief Adebayo, a former Commissioner for Information in the state and a former Executive Director, Marketing with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the deceased monarch would be greatly missed for his exemplary leadership qualities.
Appreciating the numerous guests that thronged Omu-Aran to honour the community, the National President of Omu-Aran Development Association (O.D.A), Chief Bisi Adeyemi, on behalf of the Olomu-in-Council, the Ijawusi Royal Family and the entire members of Omu-Aran community, expressed gratitude to God for making the programme a success.
Chief Adeyemi, who is also the Akeweje of Omu-Aran, thanked the Senate President, Dr. Saraki, the Kwara State Government under the leadership of Governor Ahmed, the State Council of Chiefs and other royal fathers, Irepodun Local Government, all dignitaries as well as friends of Omu-Aran and other well-wishers for their support, prayers, condolence messages and gifts. He prayed God to bless everyone present at the ceremony and grant them safe return to their various destinations.
With the completion of these funeral rites, the kingmakers would begin the succession process towards the selection of a new Olomu after which a formal pronouncement would be made in that regard.
Recall that the late Oba Ibitoye, born on October 28, 1953 in Ikoja Royal Compound of Omu-Aran, ascended the throne of his ancestors on February 1, 1993 following a unanimous choice. He was officially installed and presented with a First-Class Staff of Office as the 32nd Olomu of Omu-Aran on May 8, 1993 by the then Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Mohammed Sha’aba Lafiagi.
- Salau (a Deputy Director of Information) is with the Kwara State Youth Employment and Social Support Operations (YESSO).