From Lateef Dada , Osogbo Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun and Seyi Makinde of Oyo states, yesterday, stormed Ede, Osun State, for the chieftaincy installation of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Asiwaju of Edeland and his 64th birthday ceremony.
Former governor of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and other eminent personalities, also attended the event, while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, led other traditional rulers to the town. Speaking on behalf of other governors, Makinde applauded Adeleke for the infrastructure put in place in Osun.
He said: “I thank God for my brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke. When he came in as the Governor of Osun State, he challenged me that he would compete with me in infrastructure as I am doing in Oyo State.
When I came today, I have seen that work is ongoing in the state.” Speaking, Adeleke reiterated his commitment to turning the state around for the better, saying that the federal constituencies of Osogbo, Ile-ife, Ikirun, Ila-Orangun, Iwo and Ilesa, would be turned to cities.
He described the event of his birthday and the chieftaincy installation as historic, saying that becoming Asiwaju of Ede after his late brother while his father was Balogun of Ede is significant. “The event today is historic for many reasons.
The first is that it marks a family tradition, as my late father was the Balogun of Edeland, while my late brother was the former Asiwaju of Edeland.
Here I am today being honoured with that same title. “On behalf of my family, I thank Kabiyesi, his royal highness, the Timi of Ede land, and the entire people of this ancient town for keeping faith with my family.
Kabiyesi, we note that this conferment is a commendation for the contributions of my family to the development of this town. It is equally a further call to service. “I vow to be a front-liner (Asiwaju) of development and growth in Edeland and Osun State as a whole.
I will carry the light of positive transformation from towns to villages and from cities to rural areas across our dear state.” The event was also used to raise fund for the building of ultra-modern palace for the Timi of Edeland as Alhaji Aliko Dangote and other personalities promised to donate generously to the project.