Residents of Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State were full of joy when a new palace for the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado was inaugurated. The event was historic because the monarch built the palace for the community less than one year after he was enthroned. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.
When the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado, Agirilala Ogbenuote-soro II, ascended the throne of his ancestors in July last year, he promised to give the town a new face by initiating policies and programmes that would attract development to the town.
Before ascending the throne, the royal father had been involved in community development projects and investments which had generated employment for the indigenes thereby making them be self-reliant.
But the first-class monarch went a step further in giving his community a palace which befits the status of the town believed to be the second largest in Ekiti State after Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The new palace, which was the first phase of work to be done in the arena was inaugurated exactly 201 days after the he ascended the throne.
Oba Alagbado was following the footsteps of his progenitors whose reigns were marked with historic milestones. It was during the reign of Oba Agirilala I that Ikere had an expansion with many settlements streaming into the town for protection.
Oba Alagbado was fulfilled that Ikere had grown in leaps and bounds as it currently has nine quarters from the original three-Uro, Odo Oja and Oke’kere. It was one of his progenitors that rebuilt the old palace that gave way to the new one in the early 20th Century.
Ironically, the new palace was constructed single-handedly by another Agirilala (the Agirilala II). Since the palace was inaugurated, it has become tourists’ attraction to indigenes and visitors alike.
What made the construction of the new Ogoga’s palace unique was that construction of such palace in Ekiti is usually taxing as it takes many communities years to build palaces.
Many communities celebrate their annual days during which they raise money for construction of palaces while others seek government’s support before such projects could be executed.
Oba Alagbado did not wait for any assistance before building a palace for his community as the Ikere community is feeling the impact of this oil magnate and maritime investor-turned monarch.
Despite that the new palace was self-financed by him, Oba Adu exuded modesty by ascribing the feat to the Almighty God.
He said: “The feat is historical because Ikere as a community, is having a palace that befits its status among the comity of prominent cities in Yoruba land since the days of our gallant and heroic fathers.
“I would not ascribe this feat to my affluence as a king as some people would say. No! This is a sheer demonstration of God’s love and mercy for Ikere people. I am just an instrument in His hands.”
On hand to share the joy of the people over the new palace was Governor Ayodele Fayose who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola who is also an Ikere indigene.
Other dignitaries who attended the event included former Governor of Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; Chairman, Ikere Local Government Area, Mr. Sola Alonge; member House of Assembly representing Ikere 2 Constituncy, Mr. Sunday Akinniyi; Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye; retired Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Michael Ipinmoye; Provost, College of Education, Ikere, Dr. Mojisola Oyarekua; traditional rulers, Christian and Muslim clerics and community leaders.
Members of Ikere Development Forum (IDF), market women association, community development associations, ethnic nationalities resident in the town, youth bodies, students and other interest groups turned out en masse to witness the day.
As part of activities to mark the day, a book entitled Triumph of a Royal Fate written by a journalist, Mr. Tope Ariyo, was launched. The eleven-chapter book which chronicled Oba Adu’s tortuous journey to the throne was reviewed by the Chairman Ikere Local Government Area, Mr. Alonge. A Compact Disc on the panegyrics of Ikere was also launched at the event.
Governor Fayose congratulated the people of Ikere on the opening of a new palace which he described as a harbinger of many good things to come.
He said his government would continue to accord Ikere its pride of place among the communities in Ekiti, expressing gratitude for the support given to him before, during and after the June 21, 2014 governorship election.
He recalled that during his first stint in power, he made two Ikere indigenes deputy governors and also repeated the gesture during his second coming to office.
Fayose said less than two years in office, his administration has executed many projects in the community which include the Afao/Kajola Water Project, the Elegberun Market while work has reached advanced stage in making Ikere-Ado Road a dual carriage way.
The governor pledged that his administration would do more for Ikere in years ahead, even as he called for more support from the people.
He affirmed the supremacy of the Ogoga as the paramount ruler and consenting authority in Ikere land. He said: ”Ikere has one monarch and the Ogoga is the head of the kingdom.”
We recognise you as the only king in Ikere, we recognise you as the only paramount ruler in Ikere and there is no other king in Ikere.
“This government will continue to recognise you as such.”
In his speech, the Ogoga said God used him to build the edifice that befits the status of Ikere as a big town in Ekiti.
Oba Adu called on Ikere indigenes both at home and abroad to join hands in the development of their hometown. According to him, he bears no grudge against those who were opposed to his emergence as king when the race was hot.
The Ogoga praised former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun and other prominent indigenes for their efforts in various community development.
He urged them to use their influence to provide gainful employment for the youth of the town to enable them to contribute to the economic enhancement of the town.
He also praised Otunba of Ikere-Ekiti, Chief Sola Adewumi for sponsoring the construction of an administrative building at the palace premises.
The royal father also praised Olanipekun for donating an Amenity Centre to the State Specialist Hospital in Ikere, retired Colonel Sunday Akinola for empowering 67 Ikere women with N50,000 each and Mr. Abiodun Omoyeni “whose ultra-modern filling station has turned around activities around the Araromi axis of the town.”
Oba Adu called on prominent sons and daughters of the town to emulate Adewumi’s gesture so that Ikere would experience rapid growth and development.
The Ogoga expressed satisfaction over various ongoing projects executed by the state government, including making Ikere-Akure Road a dual carriage way and the completion of the Elegberun Market.
He said: “I must say that this new palace as well as other programmes emanating from us are aimed at complementing government’s efforts in developing the state. Therefore, any unwarranted distractions from any quarter are anti-government and anti-people.