Otunba Subomi Balogun, the founder of FCMB, has written a beautiful tribute in honour of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona on the occasion of the 2022 Ojude Oba Festival.
“Alaiyeluwa, while trying to resettle since I came back from my unusually long stay in the United Kingdom, I have just received the news that the good Lord has enabled you to resuscitate the age-long Ijebu traditional of Ojude Oba, at which all Ijebus at home, are proud to pay you homage, particularly after two years of the Coronavirus pandemic, which prevented us to pay the annual homage to an inimitable Royal Father,” wrote Otunba Balogun. “I have always felt that through the love of God our Saviour, we shall all soon be saved from this pandemic and will resume this unique annual adoration and paying of tribute to our Royal Father”.
“I am in fact tempted to sing and conclude with our famous song, “o ye ka dupe, o ye ka dupe, ara san, a tegun fe, iji ja, ko gbe wa lo, o ye ka dupe”. I have always been confident and assured that the good Lord would restore our joy in resuming this Ijebu cherished tradition and our faith in the awesome power of the Almighty God has not been diminished. On a personal level, so much water has passed under the bridge, but the good Lord has been assuring us that all will be well!”
“Let me congratulate you, Kabiyeesi, once again, on your attaining the iconic age of 88 years, which the good Lord had given both of us, in spite of the ageing health problems and also for your spending 62 years on the throne of your forefathers. As we both continue to age with the amazing grace of the Almighty God, I am by the same grace, confident that all will be well with both you and I, in our old age.”
“I pray that the good Lord who has generously endowed you with wisdom, transparent enthusiasm, and the candour with which you handle the affairs of Ijebus and all your Ijebu children at home and in the Diaspora, will continue to give you many more years of joy, good health, longer reign and satisfaction in all your endeavours for your appreciative people, the entire Ijebu race, at home and in the Diaspora”.
“My dear wife, Abimbola and all our children and grandchildren join me in paying this homage to you, Kabiyesi. We pray that you and your family will continue to enjoy abundant good health, individual attainment of success in your different endeavours, prosperity, and the satisfaction that the good Lord remains faithful to you at all times. Amen.”
Kabiyesi, k’ade pe l’ori, ki bata pe l’ese.
Otunba (Dr.) Michael Olasubomi Balogun, CON,
The Otunba Tunwase, The Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu, and The Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians.
READ ALSO: HAJIA ABAH FOLAWIYO PREPARES FOR HER 80TH BIRTHDAY
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
