Obasanjo, Osinbajo, Aregbesola, Governors Others Storm Ile-Ife As Ooni Installs Adebutu As The New Odole Oodua

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, were among top dignitaries that stormed the ancient city of Ile Ife believed to be the cradle of mankind and traditional headquarters of Yoruba race on Saturday as the Arole Oodua & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II installed the gaming business magnate, Sir Kessington Adebutu(Dodondawa) as the new Odole Oodua.

Accompanied by the Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and his son, Hon. Ladi Ada chariot, Sir Adebutu first visited the ancient Oranmiyan groove (Igbo Eeede) where he was taken through series of traditional rites by the Oranmiyan chief priest, Oba Isoro Omiwenu before he returned to the Mile Oodua palace of the Ooni to pay homage to the Arole Oodua and equally receive blessings from him.

Returning from the groovel(Igbo Eede), Sir Kessington proceeded to Ile Ase within the palace courtyard where he took the oath of office and pledges his readiness to perform optimally as the Odole Oodua before going back to the Ooni for instruments of office.

Afterwards, the new Odole Oodua, Sir Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu danced the iconic Odole dance before the cheering crowd who clapped in admiration.

Similarly, Sir Adebutu’s wives; Chief (Mrs.) Dame Caroline Oladunni Adebutu and Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Aminat Adebutu were installed as Yeyemode Oodua and Yeyerewa Oodua respectively.

According to details, Odole Oodua is a special office pioneered by Oranmiyan when he was a prince in Ile Ife before he eventually became a king during his lifetime.

It is a prestigious position designed from time immemorial for the purpose of assisting the Ooni in the task of rallying all peoples of Oduduwa origin wherever they are across the world for unity, peace and progress.

Speaking during the coronation rites for Adebutu, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister for Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola described Yoruba ethnic group as great in Nigeria,

“before somebody be conferred with Odole Oodua title, such a person must be eminent and he must have contributed immensely to humanity and the society.

“I am happy that Sir Kessington Adebutu is being conferred with this title today and I pray that his reign as Odole Oodua would be eventful. I am sure you know the significance of this title bearing in mind great Nigerians, including the late sage and former Premier Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former Attorney General of the Western Region, late Chief G.O.K Ajayi, who in the past held the title of Odole Oodua.

“We were aware of the positive impacts of these past two Odole Oodua. They ensured that there was a healthy relationship between Yoruba and other tribes in Nigeria. But I believe that you (Adebutu) would do more than that.

“You have been a philanthropist,who usually help the poor and the needy in society. As the new Odole Oodua, you should provide exemplary leadership as you have always been. I want to remind our traditional rulers to be agents of peace, unity and development in their respective domains.

“We must all strive to preserve and promote our cultural heritage. I want to commend the Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja IIfor leading the vanguard of monarchs promoting our cultural values. As Odole Oodua, you should play an active role in promoting Yoruba cultural heritage and values.”

Dignitaries at event include the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola; former governors of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Chief Segun Osoba; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the chairman African Newspapers of Nigerian (ANN) Plc, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu.

Others include a Yoruba leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Senator Babafemi Ojudu; Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Chief Dele Momodu, General Oladipupo Diya (rtd), among others.

Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Olu of Yewa, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle,Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, Oba Ayangburen of Ikorodu and other Yoruba monarchs witnessed the history making event.

The event was spiced by several traditional performances by different cultural groups after which the Juju king, Sunday Adegeye popularly known as King Sunny Ade entertained the guests with good music.

The activities activities
marking the ceremony Odole Oodua commenced on Friday with the unveiling of the Oodua Heritage House located at the Ooni’s palace followed by a welcome dinner at the banquet hall of the palace. The Ooni’s Director of Media & Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare on Saturday morning during a press briefing disclosed the significance of the position of Odole OODUA with respect to the procession to IGBO EEDE which is the Oranmiyan’s abode saying his jurisdiction is beyond Yorubaland.

“The new Odole will work for all the descendants of Oduduwa globally because the house of Oduduwa is not limited to Yorubaland. Baba Adebutu will any moment from now proceed to the Oranmiyan Groove called IGBO EEDE where he will be taken through several traditional processes like Oranmiyan who pioneered the Odole Oodua tittle did.

Baba Awolowo and Baba GOK Ajayi did the same. He will be equipped with necessary instruments of before returning to the palace where he will first be at the OGUN LAADIN shrine to receive Ogun’s blessings before moving to the inner chamber of ILE OODUA for the final blessings of assignment from the Arole Oodua Oonir’isa and be made to dance the iconic Odole dance like it was done for his predecessors including the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief G.O.K Ajayi.

These rites are must commence his task as a substantive Odole Oodua, before being sent to the world to work for the unity and progress of Yoruba people and the larger Oduduwa race worldwide”. Olafare disclosed