The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Saturday, presented a beaded crown to the Onijagbo of Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Sharafadeen Adeniyi Babalola.
Speaking at the ceremony held on the premises of Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo, the Ooni said the crown he presented to the community was from Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba race.
Oba Ogunwusi said: “The crown presented today to Oba Sharafadeen Babalola is from Geisi ruling house, Ile-Ife. It is the grace I enjoyed by being the king. The crown will bring peace, harmony and tranquility to Ijagbo. The people of Ijagbo has already started to enjoy the crown and it has brought good things to the town because it is the crown that brought the nomination of your son, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, as a ministerial nominee to represent the people of Kwara State in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.”
He commended the president on the nomination of Prince Fagbemi as one of the ministers, describing it as a right choice and a better material that will facilitate quick development of the country.
The monarch described Fagbemi as a good ministerial nominee selected to represent the state, adding that he is sure that he will make a good representation that will contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria.
Oba Ogunwusi, however, appealed to the people of the community to be united, cooperate and support the new monarch for the development of the town.
The Ooni also prayed for Oba Babalola for good health, long life and peaceful reign which, he said, was enjoyed by his immediate predecessor.
In his response, Oba Babalola expressed appreciation to the Ooni for the beaded crown and for taking time to present it personally, saying the love shown to the people portrayed him as a great leader.
He also thanked the people of the community for their cooperation and sought for more unity and support for the rapid development of the town.
The national president of Ijagbo Descendants Union, Chief Tunde Oyawoye, while thanking the state governor, Abdulraman Abdulrazaq, for quick approval of the monarch, also expressed appreciation for his personal attendance at the presentation of staff of office to Oba Babalola on June 17.
Oyawoye appealed to the state government for upgrade of the town’s facilities in education, health and roads which, he said, needed rehabilitation.
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