•L-R, Hon. Ganiyu Hazmat, Oba Olufemi Ogunbanjo and Olori Laide Ogunbanjo on Sunday, July 21.
After two years of interregnum, and amid excitement and reawakened hope, Governor Dapo Abiodun presented a staff off and instrument of appointment to the new Kobowore of Odo – Jobore town in Odogbolu Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Olufemi Ogunbanjo, the Sapenuwa 1, urging him to use his position to attract more investors to the place and sustain the existing ones.
Oba Ogunbanjo was formally installed on Sunday, July 21 at colourful ceremony conducted in the town by Governor Abiodun. The new Kobowore succeeds Oba Temitayo Ogunbowale, who joined his ancestors on May 20, 2022.
If anybody was in doubt regarding the competence and physical fitness of Oba Ogunbanjo to lead his people to greatness in this 21st century, all that dissolved as the new monarch and his beautiful Olori, Mrs Laide Ogunbanjo, pulled up at Parako, the border and entry point between Odo Jobore and Igbile community, disembarked from their SUV car and entered Odo Jobore town on foot. They walked on the newly built concrete road to the family compound where he received princely blessings and moral support after he had performed a brief rite there according to the Ijebu customs and traditions.
Accompanied by scores of enthusiastic sons and daughters of the town, as well as a band of traditional drummers, the walk continued to the border point between Odo Jobore and Irete, another community before proceeding again on foot to the coronation ceremony arena in company of Oniirete of Irete, covering a distance of nearly two kilometers on foot in the process.
Abiodun commended the people for the seamless Obaship installation, saying the selection process leading to the emergence of Prince Olufemi Ogunbanjo as the new monarch followed the requisite due process in line with the declaration of the Kobowore of Odo – Jobore Chieftaincy of 1995 and the Obas Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021.
The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Otunba Ganiyu Hazmat, urged the people, including those who contested the throne, to accord the new Kabiyesi all the respect, support and cooperation needed to move the town to an enviable height.
While noting that the office automatically catapults Oba Ogunbanjo to a member of the exalted Ijebu Traditional Council and one of the custodians of the customs and traditions of Ijebuland, Abiodun urged him to be a strong pillar of unity, strength and peace for the Odo – Jobore people.
Gov Abiodun said, “As a matter of fact, the entire Odo – Jobore community is expecting that you will utilise your position to sustain the conducive environment for existing investors, while attracting new ones to the community.
“This would be a welcomed collaborative move with the state government in its approach to improve the status of Ogun State as the industrial hub of the country and that of Africa.”
In his acceptance speech, the new Kabiyesi expressed his gratitude to God, Governor Abiodun, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the ruling families and the townsfolk for their efforts, supports and prayers that made the installation a reality.
Oba Ogunbanjo vowed to work for the unity and progress of the town.
“It gives me great joy to be in your presence as the new king of this great and historical town of Odo – Jobore.
“To be ultimately anointed and accepted to be a king when we have countless equally worthy aspirants to the throne is a very humbling experience for me and I owe all my people in Odo – Jobore a debt of immeasurable gratitude.
“It’s my duty to serve my people of this great kingdom (and usher them) into a better and prosperous future. I hereby accept this honour to be the king of Odo – Jobore today and always, with a promise to do my utmost best in uplifting this town from glory to glory,” the new monarch pledged.
In attendance at the installation included the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona who was represented by the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Oba Lawrence Adebajo, Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba AbdulRazaq Adenugba, Gbegande of Ososa, Oba Toye Alatishe, Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Kayode Okuribido among other Ijebu traditional rulers, chiefs and dignitaries.
