Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has congratulated the new Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lawrence Adebajo, on his ascension to the throne of his forebears as the newly installed monarch of the ancient town.
This came 28 years after the death of his predecessor, the late Oba Sami Adetayo, who joined his ancestors in May 1994.
Iba Adams, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, expressed satisfaction at the roles played by the Ijebu-Igbo Council of Chiefs in ensuring that the newly installed monarch truly observed the traditional rites and practices before being installed as new Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo.
He urged other Yoruba monarchs to sustain the Yoruba traditional rites, saying the rites remain one of the greatest virtues of Yoruba race that earns the traditional institution the desired respect.
Adams added also that Ijebu-Igbo is a major town in Ogun State, that also occupies a special place in the Southwest and also bordered by Oyo, Osun and Ondo states.
The town, according to him, was one of the three earliest settlers in the state in the 15th Century.
“The traditional rites that ushered in the reign of the new Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo,His Royal Majesty, Oba Lawrence Adebajo, after 28 years was a welcome development.
“The Orimolusi stool is a first-class title recognised by the government.
The last Orimolusi, Oba Sami Adetayo, joined his ancestors in May 1994. Ever since, the seat had been without an occupant.
“But I am happy the good people of the town decided to restore the dignity and glory of the ancient town, laying to rest nearly three decades of succession battle to the highly revered stool.”
He urged the newly installed monarch to step up the roles of his stool by organizing at least, two major festivals from the town that could add value to the traditional institution and enhance the economic fortunes of the town.
“Ijebu-Igbo has a good history that could be traced to Ife. It is also on record that the town is blessed with great sons and daughters that are successful across the world. The stool of Orimolusi is that of a first class monarch, therefore, the traditional institution must find a way to sustain their unique culture and tradition by coming up with one or two major festivals of the town. This will serve two purposes. It will restore the glory of the town and enhance the economic fortunes and prosperity of the ancient town”.