By Chris Onuoha 

With an illumination of a royal grandeur, Erinmo town situated between five Spiritual mountains was litted with pomp, glitz and glamour as the serene community welcomed unusual visitors on August 10, 2024.

The historical town that basks as proud descendants of Obalufon Alayemore, the earliest holder to the stool of Ooni of Ife, feted crowd from far and near in celebration of their revered monarch who clocked ten on the throne. This is no other, than Kabiyesi Elerinmo, the paramount king of Erinmo-Ijesa in Oriade Local Government Area, Osun State.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi, JP. The Arowotawaya II celebrated his 10th coronation anniversary today August 10, 2024 in a grand style. Oba Elerinmo who mounted his forefathers throne ten years ago, August 2014, has made significant impact both in coordinating his once sleepy and serene community to an enviable tourist cynosure.

His impact, towards improving the lives of people within his community and beyond, became visible with many community projects, youth empowerment and international collaborations he initiated, since mounting the throne. 

Coming from an administrative background as a former President, Nigerian-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, his managerial experience with some reputable pharmaceutical companies, to the numerous public and private responsibilities he held before mounting the throne, Oba Ajayi has carried the business-oriented pedigree he garnered overtime towards making his little community, a place of respite for investors and tourists. He has also attracted government attention to the community and has put Erinmo-Ijesa town on the global map. 

Oba Ajayi is also the National Vice chairman, Yoruba Obas Forum (YOF) where his pivotal roles in forming cultural policies for the wellbeing of the Yorubas counts. And this stimulated the array of monarchs, traditional rulers, government officials and cultural enthusiasts who thronged the anniversary venue to identify with a man popularly known as a cultural enigma.

His authoritative opinions on cultural matters in the polity of things in Nigeria lend to his clamour, and persistent calls to the government to make traditional rulers the 4th tier in government cadre,  maintaining that monarchs are very close to their community and could do more in community security and other crucial matters.

As he celebrates his 10th year on the throne, Oba Ajayi has attracted influential personalities from all walks of life to add colour to his anniversary.  He, not only brought the high and might in the society, but also created avenue to expand the visibility of his ever growing community towards more government attention. 

Speaking  at the event, the executive governor of Osun State, His Excellency,  Governor Ademola Adeleke extolled the virtues of Oba Ajayi as one of the kings in Osun State whose impact in people oriented project is visible. 

Represented by his Chief of State, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, the Governor said, “I will continue to accord the monarchs in my State, their right of place and will continue to collaborate and consult with them in every matters that concerns the wellbeing of Osun people.”

Governor Adeleke pleaded with the monarchs to continue to revive and imbibe the old tradition to the people and to strengthen the traditional institutions.

“My administration has made several impacts to improve the State. We will be supporting all agric initiatives in the State. My government will be distributing farming equipments to farmers because this is a golden era to farmers in the State,” Gov Adeleke added.

He appreciated Oba Elerinmo for the conferment of a chieftaincy title to his wife, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke as the “Erelu Soluderu of Erinmoland.”

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi in his words at the ceremony extolled Kabiyesi Elerinmo for his impactful feats towards his people. 

He said, “I wish him well from the throne of Oduduwa and will continue to encourage him to make more impacts on his community.

“It is very important that we traditional rulers must be impactful in everything we do in our communities especially to youth development and empowerment.

The Ooni who spoke on the needed affinity between traditional rulers and the government said,  ” Traditional institutions has been in existence before Nigeria was created. We understand our people so well and equally understand their needs. We don’t have to be politicians to govern our people. We are already the custodian of their culture and heritage. Government has to recognise this and accord traditional rulers a constitutional role to that effect.”

Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board,  (JAMB), Prof Ishaq Olarenwaju Oloyede who is the guest speaker at the event book launch,  said that Kabiyesi Elerinmo is a very humble monarch that commands respect across the globe.

“Here is a philosopher and well educated monarch. I have a privilege of meeting him outside Nigeria. He is well respected as an acadamia and ambassador of culture, both inside and outside Nigeria,” Oloyede said.

He encouraged people to have a copy of his published book and read, to understand the culture of Erinmo which according to him, is a reflection of strong heritage in Nigeria.

In the same vein, the Supreme Head of Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Nigeria and Overseas, who paid him a visit described Oba Ajayi as a very honest and dependable traditional ruler.

“He is highly spirited as a special Appstle in the church, which I will say, is equivalent to a Bishop. We are here to celebrate him because of his spirituality and honesty as a person,  and to support him for the good works he is doing.

“When you read his book, you will discover what he has achieved in the 10 year on the throne, and the love the town have for him is unprecedented,” he added.

Barrister Jonathan Omosebi, the chairman of Erinmo-Ijesa Diaspora Heritage (EIDH) expressed his joy for witnessing the milestone Oba Ajayi is doing in Erinmo community. And in the spirit of appreciation, families, friends and Erinmo- Ijesa Diaspora Heritage (EIDH) contributed to the purchase of a car gift, a new SUV car, Mitsubishi brand, donated to Kabiyesi for his good works. 

Omosebi explained that the car donation cannot equate to his spirited developmental interventions in Erinmo. “When he ascended the throne, the community was not in the eyes of people except for the spiritual Ori-Oke mountains around the town. But now you can see the town wears a new look. We reward his good deeds with the car, to encourage him to do more,” Omosebi said.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi speaking at the heels of his day said, “Looking back, I have exceeded my projections for the 10 years on the throne.  I thank God for it. My next target is to bring big institutions into Erinmo, one of it to bring a big ultra modern hospital with all facilities which was announced today. Aside, we are assiduously working to ensure that we attract higher institution here in Erinmo in the next five years.”

On the issue of government intervention and embracing traditional rulers as ally, Oba Elerinmo said the government should not hesitate to give constitutional roles to traditional rulers. 

“As you can see, most traditional rulers are well educated. They are exposed and well enlightened.  Government can use them to achieve a lot, not for political purpose but for crucial and developmental projects. As a traditional ruler, I am more interested in my people’s wellbeing. We cannot be compared to political office holders whose only interest is to govern for a period. Traditional rulers are always on ground for the people.

“Moreso, they understand their land, their people and their needs. If traditional rulers are given constitutional roles by government,  most common challenges such as insecurity, grassroot mobilisation for empowerment purposes and other things will be reduced. We know our people and their need, and stand a better chance to attend to it with a statutory roles,” he said.