Apomu, headquarters of Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State had no king for five years. That changd on February 8 when Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi was installed. ADESOJI ADENIYI who witnessed the coronation writes.
For more than five years, Apomu, the headquarters of Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State was without a traditional ruler after the death of Oba Lasisi Afolabi of the Ayeye Ruling House.
But on January 6, the process for selection of an occupant of the vacant stool commenced. The state government had approved Prince Kayode Adenekan Afolabi from Atoyebi Ruling House as the Alapomu-elect.
The Oba-elect then proceeded to Ilofi (for seclusion) to be groomed traditionally and be prepared for the stool.
So, the ancient town last Saturday came alive when its indigenes and their friends across the country trooped out to witness the coronation and presentation of Staff-of-Office Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, Atoyebi II, by the Osun State government.
As early as 7.00a.m., the town was agog ahead of the 9.00a.m. scheduled for the ceremony. Members of various groups in the town, adorned themselves in their best attires to be part of the historic event.
Drummers and traditional dancers were in competition to entertain guests. They sang and danced round the town. It was, indeed, a colourful spectacle to behold. On the band stand was Fuji maestro, Wasiu Ayinde KWAM 1 and other musical bands.
The presence of Yoruba foremost traditional rulers – the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo was the highlight of the ceremony.
Dignitaries, at the event, were the Olofa of Ofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi; the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Olabomi; the Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi and Olukoyi of Ikoyi-Ile, Oba Yekeen Ayinla Oladipupo.
At exactly 9:00 a.m. the ceremony commenced. Oba Afolabi and his wife, Janet, a journalist, were decked in white.
The Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Rasaq Adeosun, who represented Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, delivered the governor’s speech and shortly after presented the new Alapomu with his instrument of office amid cheers from the crowd.
The governor described the new Alapomu as a round peg in a round hole. He noted that Apomu would experience tremendous development during the time of Oba Adenekan Afolabi.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the new monarch. The governor urged the Alapomu to always consider the interest of his people as a priority.
After presentating the new monarch with his Staff-of-Office, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, crowned him as the new Alapomu of Apomu.
The Ooni described Apomu as a very important part of Yoruba land.
He said: “Congratulations to all my children of this ancient town of Apomu. This town remains a very important part of the Oduduwa territory not only because it’s a direct creation of Ile-Ife, but also for the strategic roles Apomu played in the past in Yoruba land. That’s why the Alaafin is here, Olofa is here, Akinrun is here, Oluwo is here and several other monarchs.”
Oba Ogunwusi, who is the Co-Chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), described the new Alapomu as well educated and a fine gentleman, who “is an embodiment of Oodua cultural values and competent to take Apomu to lofty height”.
The Alapomu described himself as a direct descendant of the Giesi Ruling House of Ile-Ife.
He said: “Some people might wonder about my style of dressing here today, it is deliberate to show my root as my father came from Ile-Ife to settle down in Apomu many centuries ago.
I am from Gbegbaje branch of Giesi Ruling House in Ife, my great uncle was the 40th Ooni of Ife who reigned between 1823 and 1835.”
His wife, Olori Afolabi, who noted that the new Alapomu has good plans for his people, said: “He is deeply concerned about the neglect and the infrastructural decay.
He will work towards developing the land. I will join hands with him to ensure that the women and children are not left out of the development process.”
On the significance of Apomu in Yoruba land its history, the Asiwaju of Apomu, Chief Olaitan Alabi, said the ancient town had been in existence for over 450 years.
According to him, the history of the old Oyo Empire cannot be complete without due reference to Apomu. Alabi maintained that the activities of the historic Apomu Market contributed immensely to the commercial and economic development of the old Oyo Empire.
A finance expert, Mr. Jelili Olaleye, who is also a prominent citizen of Apomu, acknowledged the ability of the Alapomu to create new opportunities for the development of the town.
He said the people of the town are lucky to have Oba Afolabi as the Alapomu “because his passion for development and supporting people to succeed is unequal”.
He said the Alapomu is well connected within and outside Nigeria and that he would utilise them to fast-track individual growth and attract investment to the town.
He then called on the people of the town to co-operate with the monarch to help him achieve his vision for Apomu and its environs.
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