New Oluwo of Iwo Prince Abdul-rasheed Adewale Akanbi
The ancient city of Iwo stood still on Monday when the Oluwo-elect, Abdul-rasheed Adewale Akanbi, entered the town for the commencement of his installation processes.
Major streets in the city, witnessed heavy traffic jam as the convoy of the new Oluwo snaked through Ori-eru, Odo-ori, Ile-omosan and Ojaba axis of the city where people lined up the streets to welcome the new monarch.
The installation ceremony followed the approval of the appointment of the new monarch by Osun Government after the completion of the selection process by the kingmakers.
The Oluwo-elect, in an open roof Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle, raising his fists to acknowledge cheers from the people of the town.
It took him after about three hours drive to get into the palace. He was later turbaned by the League of Imam and Alfas in the town, led by Imran Adio, a leading Islamic cleric in the town.
The turbaning ceremony was followed by the symbolic traditional decoration of the monarch with “Akoko” leaf by the Oosa of Iwo Kingdom, Bello Orobimpe.
Traditional gunshots rented the air as Iwo traditionalists signaled the beginning of the reign of the new Oluwo of Iwo thus signalling the completion of the first phase of the monarch’s traditional rights.
The Oluwo-elect ,after the turbaning ceremony was led by traditionalists and chiefs to the “Ile Onto” to continue further installation rights before he would be crowned king in the days ahead.
Speaking after the installation ceremony, the Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti, described Monday as an historical day in the ancient town.
He said the recent happenings in Iwoland was another indication of the commitment of the Aregbesola administration to one of his six-point integral plans of promotion of communal peace and progress.
Mr. Adeoti said, “I salute the courage and understanding of all, this day is historic in the sense that Iwo for about three years was without a king, but we are happy that this day of a new king has come.
“We need the cooperation of all and sundry. I call on everybody to join hands with the new monarch in the task of building the town. Iwo cannot afford to stand still, we must strive as we enter a new era to develop our Land.
“I call on the people of Iwo, most especially youths, to rally round the new monarch and the state government for the development of Iwoland, the state and the country at large.”
Among dignitaries at the installation ceremony included, the Asiwaju of Iwoland and a former Commissioner for Justice, Gbadegesin Adedeji; a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the old Oyo state, Bola Asafa; octogenarian and Ekerin Oluwo, Ganiyu Aremu; and a former Special Adviser to Governor Aregbesola on Health, Rafiu Isamotu.
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