— Ariyomo, wife, others bag titles

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Iralepo of Isinkan kingdon, headquarters of Akure West LCDA in Ondo State, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola Olofin-Adimula, has warned against incessant conferment of traditional titles on people except on those with admirable virtues and qualities.

 Oba Olofin-Adimula, said this when he honoured Engr. Olatunji Ariyomo with the traditional title of the Aare Adimula of Isinkan kingdom and the wife Dr. (Mrs) Tolulope Ariyomo, an Associate Professor as the Yeye Aare Adimula of Isinkan kingdom.

The ceremony was one of the key highlights of the grand finale of the just concluded 2024 Isinkan Day ceremony at Ita-Owa in Isinkan.

According to the monarch, the conferment of the titles on the deserving Nigerians should be  to reward and give recognition them.

He said that the position is not the typical chieftaincies as they are exclusively reserved for the princes and princesses of the kingdom as marks of recognition of their outstanding contributions to the development of the country in their various fields of endeavour where they represent the town as ambassadors.

Oba Olofin-Adimula described the recipient as “an icon that has distinguished himself as a dependable leader in the field of engineering infrastructure in both the public and private sectors and in various state and national assignments”.

 “Tunji Light Ariyomo is my son in whom I am well pleased. He is a beloved prince of this throne who has carried the banner of this kingdom as an exemplary ambassador with integrity

“His pedigree is outstanding in this state and at the national level. He is a son we are very proud of”.

The Kabiyesi then issued his proclamation stating that “In the name of my ancestors and the authority of this throne, I hereby on this 20th day of the month of July in the year 2024 proclaim you the Aare Adimula of Isinkan kingdom and your wife, Dr. (Mrs) Tolulope Ariyomo as the Yeye Aare Adimula of Isinkan kingdom”.

Oba Olofin-Adimula further announced the creation of the positions of Otun Aare Adimula and Osi Aare Admilua.

Similarly, earlier in the ceremony, the royal father had honoured other outstanding princesses from Isinkan kingdom that included Princess Funmi Falana, SAN, the wife of constitutional Lawyer Femi Falana SAN whose great grandfather was Oba Iralepo Ifagbade Ifatirin (Onaowuro I) and Justice Folashade Aguda-Taiwo who is another prominent Princess of the kingdom.

The royal father while presenting award plaques to the honourees described both as virtuous women and lovers of God whose outstanding contributions to the legal professions in Nigeria have put them in the top echelon of the practice as trail blazers and pace setters in a field dominated by men.

“Our Lord Jesus recognised that prophets are hardly honoured at home. We are therefore making this conscious effort to ensure we celebrate and honour these gems who have selflessly served the nation”.

Business mogul, Pastor (Dr.) Godwin Akpovie, the Chief Executive of Delta Coastal Economic Zone Authority was also honoured by the traditional ruler while other prominent natives of the community were also presented with royal awards.

The 2024 finale of the annual Isinkan Day festival took place on Saturday at Ita-Owa in Isinkan and was attended by dignitaries that included the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Secretary to the Government of Ondo State, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Gbenga Olaniyi.

Also in attendance was the Chairman of Akure West LCDA, Prince Sunday Adejuyigbe, his counterpart in Akure South LGA, Hon. Gbenga Fasua, a member of the House of Assembly, Hon Stephen Abitogun as well as several traditional rulers that included the Orangun of Oke Ila in Osun State, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Oniju of Iju Odo, Oba Festus Olumoyegun and the Obaluru of Ile-Ife (Oranfe Onile Ina) Oba Orarotimi Abiodun, as well as Dr. Wale Babalakin who was represented by Prince Babatunde Adesanya the grandson of the Awujale of Ijebuland among others.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee for the event, Kabiyesi Olumuyiwa Akinola-Aguda, who is the Olu of Kajola-Isinkan, said that the Committee put together an event that will bring natives of Isinkan from far and near back home on a yearly basis and ensure that they continue to relate and unite for the development of the kingdom.