From Kolade Larewaju
THE ancient town of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State virtually stood still on Saturday as prominent Nigerians including, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Speaker Dimeji Bankole and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji  Said Abubakar; stormed the town to celebrate  the 50th Anniversary of the installation of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

It was galaxy of eminent Nigerians including Governor Olugbenga Daniel, former Governors Olusegun Osoba, Ogun, Bola Tinubu, Lagos; Gen. Dipo Diya, Deputy Governor of Ogun; Alhaja Salmot Badru, former Deputy Governor of the State, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye; National Security Adviser, Gen Aliyu Gusau; Dr. Lateef Adegbite, Otunba Subomi Balogun and others joined in the celebration.

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu was Chairman of the reception and book launch at the Gateway Ode International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, venue of the ceremony with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo; and the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, were also in attendance at the celebration which lasted over five hours.

Other eminent personalities at the ceremony included retired Justice George Oguntade, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Kessington Adebutu, Chief Rasaq Okoya, former Minister of Industry; Chief Mrs. Onikepo Akande, Prof. Bolanle Awe, the book’s reviewer, and Otunba Lateef Owoyemi.

Chief Funlola Okunowo, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Otunba Biyi Durojaiye, the Chief Judge of Ogun State; Justice Charles Oluremi Jacobs, Chief Harry Akande, Chief Duro Onabule, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, were also at the event.

Governor Olugbenga Daniel in his speech praised the Awujale for his efforts in encouraging sons and daughters of Ijebuland to return home and invest part of their wealth in the land of their birth. He, however, added that it was more important for him to find a way of uniting the Yorubas.

The governor said: “What is now left for him as the father of all is not only to strive for the continued progress of Ijebuland, but, also for the unity of Yoruba race for which providence has imposed a special responsibility as the oldest reigning ruler among the descendants of Oduduwa. History awaits to deliver its judgment in this regard, and the verdict must be positive.”