Ota city, Awori Kingdom of Ogun State has been agog today (Saturday) as its people celebrate the one year coronation anniversary of Olota, Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege.
This is as the traditional ruler who is a Professor of Mass Communication has been highly commended for the peace and development Ota and Awori Kingdom in general have witnessed since the beginning of his reign a year ago.
A well attended occasion, it is graced by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; his deputy, Alhaja Noimot Salako Oyedele; the Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Taiwo Oluomo; Secretary to the Government of Ogun State; Chief of Staff to the Governor and legislators both at federal and state levels among many others.
Olota was installed on May 10, 2018, but the celebration had to be deferred in view of the Ramadan fast that coincided with the date of the anniversary.
Meanwhile special prayers in church and mosque had been offered in May, leaving only the celebration to hold on June 22.
Speaking at the coronation anniversary witnessed by dignitaries across the state and beyond, the chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the First Olota Coronation Anniversary, Chief Fola Akinde, stated the remarkable growth Ota and Awori Kingdom had witnessed since the installation of Oba Obalanlege.
His words: “The one year reign of Kabiyesi has been characterised by a lot of achievements and development. The socio-economic activities in and around Ota have been on the turbo level with the upgrading of the four quarter heads from Ijana, Otun, Osi and Oraba to the status of coronet oba.”
Ita Oba Day celebration during the last Ileya festival, he said, being the first official ceremonial outing of Kabiyesi brought sons and daughters of Ota together, and witnessed the Presentation of Keys to the Gate of the City of Ota at the first Awori Economic and Security Summit to recognise some people who have contributed positively to the growth and development of Ota.
He added: “Iganmode Carnival rounded off the year with royal visit to the four quarters of Ota and the launching of a billion naira legacy project – Olota FECODEIN (Olota Foundation for Economic and Development Initiative) a project that provides social and economic empowerment that provides social and economic empowerment to indigenes and non-indigenes, ensure security of lives and property thereby promoting friendly environment; reduce crime and criminalities.
“The ongoing befitting palace of the Olota of Ota has also witnessed a lot of positive development.”
Professor Obalanlege emerged the preferred candidate of the 22 princes presented by the Ijemo Isoloshi Ruling House on November 28, 2017.
He was traditionally crowned by the Odota of Otta, High Chief Oladele Adeniyi on February 28, 2018 after the completion of seclusion rites and was given Staff of Authority on May 10, 2018 by the then governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun.
