Onigede's 64th Year on the Throne: Igede Youths Praise Ekiti Governor, Vow Unwavering Support.
....remain the longest reigning monarch in Nigeria.
The jubilation in Igede-Ekiti was palpable as the community embarked on festivities marking the 90th birthday and 64th year on the throne of the esteemed Onigede, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II. Amidst the celebrations, the local youth population seized the opportunity to express their appreciation for the reign of the revered Yoruba monarch. Notably, Mr. Olufemi Adebayo and Comr. Rasheed Adewumi lauded the unceasing support of Governor Mr. Biodun Oyebanji and pledged their unwavering allegiance to his administration.
Mr. Olufemi Adebayo, a prominent youth leader, hailed the governor's contributions to Igede-Ekiti, particularly acknowledging the ongoing Ado-Ekiti to Itawure road project. "I express profound gratitude to the previous Ekiti State government for initiating the road project that traverses Igede-Ekiti," Mr. Adebayo remarked. He fervently implored Governor Oyebanji to continue the road project and consider the vital road connecting Igede-Ekiti to Iworoko Ekiti, emphasizing its significance in linking the town to Ekiti State University—an initiative destined to invigorate the local economy.
Furthermore, Mr. Adebayo articulated the pivotal role of the "Elemi River," emphasizing its connectivity to other prominent rivers in Yoruba land. He appealed for the governor's intervention in dredging the river to establish a thriving tourist center, thereby enhancing the state's economic development and prestige.
Responding to the appeals and aspirations of the community, the Onigede, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II, voiced his plea for the establishment of a technical college. This institution, he emphasized, would empower the youth with valuable skills, knowledge, and comprehension—equipping them for a promising future and augmenting the state's economic fabric. The monarch also articulated his desire for improvements to the internal road network of Igede-Ekiti, envisioning that enhanced infrastructure would not only elevate the town's aesthetic allure but also introduce its magnificence to the global stage.
His Royal Majesty, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II, the Onigede of Igede Ekiti, reflected on the history of Igede as he stated, "Before the era of Christianity, Igede Ekiti had served as the ancestral home to the legendary Osun, Elemi pond, and various other historical sites that hold relevance to the community's origins. According to the oral tradition passed down from one generation to the next, the well-known Osun Osogbo actually departed from Igede due to a disagreement with her siblings and settled in Osogbo, which is in the present-day Osun State."
Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II emphasized the remarkable potential that Igede holds for Nigeria's tourism industry if its resources are properly harnessed. He continued, "When the people of Igede left Ile-Ife, they consulted the oracle to determine the ideal location for settlement. Their oracle identified Oke Esu as their destined home. Settling there, they lived in harmony until the passing of their father and king, Ake."
"Following Ake's demise, his sixteen offspring found themselves in a predicament, unable to reach an agreement on the succession of their father's throne. This discord resulted in chaos, causing their unity to crumble," Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II recounted. "In the end, they sought solace in various elements, including rivers and ponds. Ibaja became part of the earth, while Orunro, Elemi, Ogbese, and Osun transformed into water," he elucidated.
As the 90th birthday celebrations and 64th year on the throne of Onigede continue to resonate throughout Igede-Ekiti, the resounding unity and shared aspirations of the community, along with the visionary support of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, stand poised to usher in a new era of prosperity and advancement for this ancient city.
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