11/01/2016
Being the press statement from the Afobajes (Kingmakers) of Ijounland in Yewa North Local Government area of Ogun state concerning the ongoing installation/enthronment of the new Onijoun-designate, Hon (Prince) Rasak Babatunde Adewusi as signed and released by the Chairman of the Kingmakers Committee, Chief Opeolu Adeoye (The Eesaba of Ijounland) on Sunday the 10th of January 2016:-
The state government and her State Executive Council (SEC) headed by our governor, His Excellency Senator Ibikunle Amosun (CON, FCA) in a statement signed by J. O Olatoye, Director, Chieftaincy Affairs in the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ogun State, dated 5th of January, 2016 in accordance with Section 23 (I) of the Chiefs’ Law, Law of Ogun state Nigeria 2006 has approved the appointment of Hon (Prince) Rasak Babatunde Adewusi as the new Onijoun of Ijoun in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State , Nigeria.
In view of the above, the installation process of the new Onijoun has commenced immediately after the said approval by the state government, and it is to be completed on Wednesday the 13th of January 2016, an anniversary date of when the late father of the new Onijoun was enthroned. On this day, the Onijoun in waiting will be crowned with Ade Isembaye, the ancient crown of the town by kingmakers known as the Idares, headed by High Chief Israel Ege, the Adare of Ijounland after all the traditional rites must have been fulfilled.
On Wednesday the 13th of January 2016, one of the major events of the day will be the crowded match of the new Oba to the Palace of Onijoun in Ile-Ijoun, Ijoun, Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State at about 10 o’clock in the morning.
As part of the preparations for the new Onijoun installation, the Onijoun-designate, on Thursday, 7th of January 2016, was formally introduced and presented as the Onijoun in waiting by the High Chiefs of the ancient town to the elderly men, women, sons and daughters of Ijounland. This event took place at “Ita Boromu” (Boromu Square) in the Ile-Ijoun area of the town. As the incoming Onijoun of Ijounland, Adewusi also visited the historic Okiti Mefa in Ika Orile, one of the villages under his domain. He visited Igbo Oodua (also known as Oju Oodua) in Ile Ilodo, an area of Tata where Deyinka, the mother of former Onijoun and late father of the new Monarch hails from.
The Executives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Yewa North Local Government chapter led by its’ chairman yesterday the 9th of January 2016 visited the Oba-designate. During their visit, prayers were showered on the in coming Oba, his subjects and domain, Yewaland, Ogun state and Nigeria as a whole. The CAN leader also in his remarks reassured the Ijoun community of CANs’ support for the community during and after the installation of the new Oba. He went further to state that all the Christians in the community will be on ground today Sunday the 10th of January 2016 to mark the end of a week long prayer programme embarked upon by the Christian community in Ijoun and environs for the safety and Gods’ protection on the life of the new Onijoun-designate while in seclusion (Ipebi) and beyond.
As a mark of honour and respect for the in coming Onijoun of Ijounland, and as it is a tradition in Ijounland, on Monday the 11th of January 2016, all shops and markets in Ijoun will be closed for business. As a descendant of Alaketu of Ketuland (a direct descendant of Oduduwa) the new Oba-elect will also as part of his installation process proceed to Ketuland in Benin Republic to fulfil various rites. While in Ketu, he will visit various sacred landmarks for the fulfilment of the said rites as part of the installation process. Some of the sites to be visited include the Palace of Alaketu, Aitan Ola and Akaba-Idena to mention but few. Returning to Ijoun on Monday, the seclusion rites (Ipebi) continues for the final round of the installation process and that will by the grace of Eledumare, the Almighty lead to the crowning of Onijoun-designate as the new Onijoun of Ijoun on Wednesday the 13th of January 2016.
According to traditions in Ijounland, the installation of the Oba, a private affairs of the Afobajes otherwise known as the kingmakers in Ijounland precedes the much publicised coronation ceremony, an event that serves as the grand-finale of the making of the new Onijoun. Once installed, the coronation planning committee comprising of elders, sons, daughters, friends and well wishers of Ijounland from various calls of life, both near and far will then make public, the agreed date of the coronation ceremony of the new King. This date will be communicated to the general public in due course.
It important to inform you all that plans are in top gear for the much awaited coronation of your new King and as we observe the necessary rites for the enthronement of Onijoun of Ijounland, the entire kingmakers body of Ijounland will like to implore you all to continue supporting us in prayers as you have been doing for a successful installation, coronation and reign of the new Onijoun of Ijounland.
God bless Ijounland, God bless Yewaland, God bless Ogun State and God bless Nigeria.
Signed Chief Opeolu Adeoye (Eesaba of Ijounland, Chairman, Kingmakers Committee)
10-01-2016
