The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi 111 had cause to thank God as he rolled out the drums to celebrate his 25th anniversary on the throne of his ancestors. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports
It was celebration time for the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III as he marked his 25th coronation anniversary. Other eminent guests from far and near and his subjects joined him in the celebration of his silver jubilee on the throne.
For the Ewi, who ascended the throne in 1990, the occasion calls for appreciation to God for giving him the opportunity to realise his dream to become a monarch.
Apart from this, he is also fulfilled that Ado-Ekiti became the state capital and had grown in leaps and bounds in the past 19 years of its creation.
The role played by Oba Adejugbe and personalities such as Chief Afe Babalola, Chief Deji Fasuan, Chief Paul Alabi, Chief Ojo Falegan the late Prof. Sam Aluko, among others has remained legendary.
Apart from being the state capital, Ado-Ekiti now plays host to two universities, two polytechnics; several businesses and is being daily besieged by people from all walks of life seeking greener pastures.
Governor Ayo Fayose led eminent personalities to the coronation anniversary which took place at the newly-completed Palace Amphitheatre to join the Ewi in adding glamour to the ceremony.
Those who attended the event included the former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu (who was represented), wife of the former Governor of Benue State, Mrs. Yemisi Suswam; former Deputy Governors, Chief Paul Alabi; Dr. Sikiru Lawal and Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye; retired Anglican Archbishop of Ondo Province and Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Most Rev. Samuel Abe; retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Olufunmilola Adekeye, top government officials, community leaders and captains of industry.
Babalola, the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and the Aare Bamofin of Yoruba land was the chairman of the occasion.
The Kabiyesi was joined by his brother monarchs led by the current Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers who is also the Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, Oba Samuel Oladapo Oyebade.
A compendium on the life and times of Oba Adejugbe, Echoes of the Throne, edited by Mrs. Rolake Adewumi was launched at the ceremony.
Fayose launched the magazine with N5 million on behalf of the state government while Aare Babalola launched it with N2 million. Mrs. Suswam launched with it N1 million.
The Ewi received homage from members of his traditional cabinet otherwise known as the Ewi-in-Council, the Omo Owas; honorary chiefs, Iyalojas, Ado-Ekiti Progressive Union (APU), clubs and other tribes in the town.
Mrs. Suswam, a native of Emure Ekiti said she was delighted to identify with Ekiti people, saying: “I will continue to be proud to have been born an Ekiti girl.”
She revealed that she had her first encounter with Oba Adejugbe at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) where he served as Chancellor.
Mrs. Suswam said she was impressed by the Ewi’s speech as UNIJOS Chancellor, describing the speech as “excellent and brilliant.”
While saying she is proud of Oba Adejugbe, Mrs. Suswam prayed for a long and peaceful reign for Kabiyesi, saying Ekiti State would continue to benefit from his wise counsel and experience.
Former Deputy Governor Alabi said the Ewi will be eternally remembered for being in the forefront of the creation of Ekiti State out of the old Ondo State.
Alabi, who served as Director of Budget in the Presidency during the Abacha era when agitation for the creation of Ekiti State reached its peak revealed that he followed Oba Adejugbe to the late former military ruler to push for the creation of a new state.
“I remember Kabiyesi telling Abacha that Ekiti people would not allow him back home if the state creation wouldn’t be a reality.”
The Ologotun of Ogotun, Oba Oyebade, said the entire members of the State Council of Obas celebrate with one of them for witnessing the landmark. He wished the Ewi more fruitful and prosperous reign.
In his speech, Fayose, who was the guest of honour, promised to attend any similar event organised in honour of any traditional ruler in the state.
“The governor is for all traditional rulers and people of the state. I want to assure our royal fathers that occasion such as this is not limited to Ado. As many of our royal fathers that have such a great event like this, the governor is at your beck and call.
“Ado is central to us all as a state and I am for all royal fathers. Any event that tells the history of your existence, I will always be part of it. I also promise that by God’s grace, the new Oja Oba Market, if not completed by this time next year, will be near completion,” he said.
Fayose added: “I pray that new things will be happening in this palace anytime we come here. We have spent over a year in office and in another five months, it will be two years.
“I look forward to the time I will say bye-bye as the Governor of Ekiti State. I work hard to ensure that value is added to governance.”
The Ewi told the gathering that he had prepared a 22-page address but said he would not want to bore the guests with long speech other than to appreciate them for making the day a glorious one.
Oba Adejugbe thanked Governor Fayose for his tremendous efforts at developing Ado-Ekiti and the state at large.
“Ado people cannot thank you enough. You have helped us a great deal and we pray that God will continue to support and bless you. I thank you also for the pavilion here in the palace. It was through your great support and effort that it has been completed.
“I appeal to all Ado sons and daughters to support the administration,” he said.
Oba Adejugbe said his longevity on the throne was due to the grace of God and the people over whom he reigns as king.
He said: “I give glory to God. Twenty-Five years is just like yesterday. The mountains I thought I won’t be able to climb, I was able to climb them.
“I want to appeal to my people, let us give peace a chance. It is when there is peace that the governor can think of the right thing to do for the people. It is when there is peace that Aare Babalola will think of what to do for our people.
“I have no other job other than to pray for the peace and overall development of Ado-Ekiti. I want to urge every one of us to go back to the basics. Let us go back to farming.
“There is no house in Ekiti that does not have a PhD holder but we must go back to the farm irrespective of your status.
“If salaries are irregular and if you have yams in your farm you will have something to sell and eat. In those days, terminal ailments are rare and people enjoy long life because they eat fresh food unlike today when people eat food treated with chemicals.”
Earlier, Babalola had listed the qualities that made Fayose excel as a governor.
He described Fayose as a realistic and pragmatic person, who has brought that to governance.
He said with the dwindling revenue base of the government at all tiers, those in leadership positions have to make extra efforts to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
“Thank God that we have a governor that is realistic and pragmatic. When he says yes it means yes and when he says no it is no.
“We have a governor that is truthful, honest and transparent and that has been helping us in the state. It has also manifested in the recent award given the state government.”
