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Blow-By-Blow Account Of The Ceremony
All roads led to the ancient city of Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday 26th September, 2023, when the official installation of K1, the King of Fuji Music, took place at the palace of the Awujale of Ijebu-land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
That was the day the Awujale made K1, whose full name is Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde Adesanya Marshal (MON), the Otunba Afidipotemole and Olori Omoba Akile Ijebu. On that day Ijebu-Ode was agog with festivities, as congratulatory billboards adorned major streets and roundabouts in the town, done by politicians and socialites with his bold photos and Awujale’s photos on it.
As from 9am, the usual quiet Aafin Awujale had come alive with representatives of various egbes and families assembled inside the palace and sat under the canopies provided. Apala Music Star, Musiliu Haruna Ishola entertained guests with scintillating Apala music. The Awujale drove in at about 11am, and many Ijebu Kings, Awujale’s Chief, politicians and socialites arrived one after the other.
Dr. Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf, the Bobagbimo of Ijebu was there. He wore a beautifully embroidered Agbada. Hon. Bobatunde Emilola Gazal, the Executive Chairman of Ijebu-Ode LG was there Iyalode Korede Alatishe (Bobatunte Omo Oba) Treasurer of Regberegbe Council, with her husband.
Giwa Akogun Wale Raji Anomo, the Giwa, Egbe Obayori Okunrin (Asiwaju) Akile Ijebu. He is the Executive Chairman Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, Epe, Lagos State.
Dr. Sulaiman Adegunwa (OFR), the Chairman, Rite Foods Ltd came. Many of Awujale’s Otunba and members of the Awujale’s Council of Chiefs came.
Members of Egbe Bobakeye Akile Ijebu came. Many don’t know that K1 is a valued member of the Egbe. He is the Gbobaniyi of Egbe Bobakeye (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu (1956-1958).
K1’s friends from Ibadan came, like Akin Fijabi, Alhaji Bashy and Real Estate player, Dollar. It was a star-studded event, as all the VVIPs were chauffered driven in Jeeps and Limousines, gaily dressed in well embroidered Agbada and the women wore the Aso Ebi lace and Aso-Oke which costs N200,000. Everyone looked respledent in their various outfits. About 150 kings attended the 4 hour event. Over 40-Ijebu Kings came, and other Obas came from the 2 other senatorial zones.
A lot of A Class socialites attended. Cash Madam was there and she stormed the venue, leading other society women. For those who don’t know Cash Madam, lets tell you about this leading society woman whose real name is Princess Kadijat Kuburat Adebisi Edionseri. She is the 1st Iya Suna of Ogun State. She is Iya Suna of Egbaland, Iya Suna of Yewaland, Iyalaje of Egbaland, and Iyalaje of Yewaland.
2 of her sons also attended. One of them is Otunba Abdulfalil Abayomi. Odunowo (the Obaleru of Ijebuland. He also has another brother, Otunba Alhaji Abdulrahman Abiola Odunowo, the Olotureso of Ijebuland. Hajia Bola Sagaya was there also. The lists of celebrity women who were gorgeously dressed is a long and unending one.
About 300 glamorously dressed celebrity women stormed the palace in the N150,000 Aso Ebi. Members of a lot of regberegbe came. Representatives of the Fidipote family came dressed in Ankara Aso Ebi. Unknown to many K1 is now the Otunba Afidipotemole. His forefather, HRM Oba Ademuyero Fidipote I was the Awujale of Ijebuland (1850-1886).
Many groups wore different kinds of Aso Ebi. Members of the Ojuorishagbola Dynasty of the Fidipote Ruling House came in droves. Once the Awujale entered the main hall where all the kings and VVIPs were seated, the ceremony started, as K1 made his grand entry into the Palace grounds on horse back. It was really a grand entry, as K1 and his beautiful wife, Emmanuella gorgeously dressed, with her light skin shinning like a million stars. She is a Style diva and she was easily the best dressed lady at the event. She infact stole the show with her glamorous look.
K1 and Emmanuella rode into the Palace in a Horse Chariot, amidst about 50 horses with the booming of gunshots by traditional hunters. Horse riding families joined the procession. Adedoyin Alatishe, Kolade Onanuga, Prince Boye Kasali and many others rode into the palace with K1. They all brought out all the horses and the horse chariot K1 and his wife, rode, all pro bono.
Once K1 arrived he was ushered straight away into a section of the palace where traditional rites and prayers were held for him before he was taken inside the hall to meet the Awujale. And then the proceeding started.
K1 came in with his friends Oba Saheed Elegushi, Chief Akinsiku of Lagos and a host of other Big Boys. The compere told K1 about the responsibilities of the Olori Omooba and what is expected of him. He promised to support the Awujale in the development of Ijebu land.
Moving forward, he stood before the Awujale and told him he will join hands with other well meaning Ijebu people to develop Ijebuland. Chief Commander. Ebenezer Obey was there and Fuji king, Alhaji Kollington Ayinla. The expansive hall of the Awujale which ordinarily sits about 300 guests was jampacked and full to the brim.
K1’s 104 year old mum, Alhaja Alimotu Shadia Ebunoluwa Boluade Anifowoshe (nee Akeredolu) was in attendance. She walked into the palace dancing with drummers & family members. She looked healthy and strong. That was the happiest day of her life she told everyone. K1 enjoyed a lot of goodwill. Otunba Adegboyega Adesoye and his beautiful wife, Otunba Folashade Adesoye stood by him.
They both played a pivotal role. Many don’t know that K1 and the Adesoye’s are close. Otunba Adegboyega Adesoye who is popularly called Soye and his wife were at the event early to make sure all went smoothly.
Why did the Awujale make K1 Olori Omooba? We can tell you. According to a one page letter dated 5th July and signed by Oba (Dr.) S.K. Adetona CFR and addressed to K1, “We note your interest in and desire for the post of Olori-Omooba Akile Ijebu which is presently vacant. We also note that you arefrom the Fidipote Ruling House, where a candidate for the office is presently expected to emerge.”
“We observe with pleasure and great pride, your industry, patriotism, devotion to duty, honesty, loyalty, high principles and probity, etc. In view of the foregoing and many more too numerous to detail here, it is my delight to confer on your the title of Olori Omooba Akile Ijebu in recognition and deep appreciation of the above mentioned qualities and more so for your dedication towards the progress and development of our community.” “The title here conferred on your should first and foremost be regarded as a challenge for more useful service to our community and the nation.”
And on August 2nd, 2023, K1 replied Awujale’s letter. He titled his letter Re:Chieftaincy Honour: Olori Omooba Akile Ijebu. My Humble Acceptance and Gratitude, Alayeluwa Sir. “Kabiyesi, I received your letter dated 5th July, 2023 on the above subject dated and I must confess that its the best letter I have ever received in my entire life.” “Alayeluwa, it is heart-warming, social-lifting, inspiring, as its head swelling to read the qualities your Royal Highness claimed to have observed in me. Hence, parts of the reasons why is felt that I am eminently qualified for the auspicious royal honour that I have been so blessed with.”
“From the foregoing, I wish to humbly and respectfully place on record that I, Olasunkanmi Wasiu Ayinde Adesanya Marshal, will re-dedicate my life, resources, connections and energy for the unity, progress, development, promotion, uplift and global recognition of Akile Ijebu. I will be a good Ambassador of my ruling House, The Fidipote Ruling House on the one hand and your royal throne, Ijebu-Ode in particular and the entire Akile Ijebu on the other hand. I will never bring shame, disgrace, blemish and regret to my noble name and status, your royal name and the entire Ijebu land.”
“Alayeluwa, flowing from the ending joy, honour and sense of pride which the conferment has brought to me, my family and Fidipote ruling house, my clout within and outside Nigeria, I hereby wish to respectfully accept the royal honour, as I equally wish to register my profound gratitude to your Royal Majesty, the royal family an the entire Ijebu people, whose felicitations and best wishes for me after the news went to town have been symbolic and overwhelming.”
“I need everyone’s prayers, support and guidance to excel and succeed in this onerous, taxing and highly demanding role. I am positive and faithful that the Orisa Ijebu will guide and guard me to achieve the unexpected.”
The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun congratulated him in a one page letter dated 11th September, 2023. He felicitated with K1 on this great accomplishment. He called the investiture, a well-deserved honour and a testimonial of K1’s life of service to his people. He says it is a call to higher service. “That you have been found worthy of this important high position in Ijebuland, should be regarded as a royal endorsement of your strength of character and sterling leadership qualities” he wrote.
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