It was a celebration of culture, tradition and unity in Imobi as the Ogun State Government officially installed Oba Abdul Fatai Olatunji Balogun, Agbon Osiyoruwa I, Gbadewolu I, as the Alaye of Imobi Land, bringing to a successful conclusion a long-running process for the emergence of the community’s monarch.
The historic installation and presentation of the instrument and staff of office formed part of a colourful three-day ceremony that attracted traditional rulers, government officials, community leaders, political stakeholders, clubs, unions, associations, as well as sons and daughters of Imobi from within and outside the community.
The ceremony began at the Imobi Community Town Hall, Fotedo, where dignitaries from different parts of the country gathered to celebrate the new monarch.
Among the dignitaries were the Aladeshonyin of Noforija and Paramount Ruler of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja; the Chairman of Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, and Giwa of Egbe Obayori Okunrin Akile Ijebu, Hon. Wale Anomo; the Baale of Agbowa Ibeshe and incoming king in Ikorodu, Lagos State, High Chief Gbolahan Adaraloye; and Olori Abisola Salami, Olori of Idena, alongside other prominent personalities.
The event also attracted several Imobi stakeholders, including Barrister Olumuyiwa Onabanjo, Prince Ayodele Adefuye, popularly known as Ajoy, Engineer Abayomi Adebanjo, Mr. B.S. Lawal, former Ogun State House of Assembly member Hon. Sola Adams, popularly known as Nishonibe, and other political and community leaders.
Also present were the Personal Assistant to the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Alhaji Kunle Lawal; APC Chairman, Imobi Ward 9, Mr. Moses Ogunjirin; APC Vice Chairman, Ijebu East, Mrs. S. Asesanya; former Councillor and Leader of the House for Imobi Ward 9, Hon. Kehinde Quadri; Councillor for Imobi Ward 9, Hon. Adebiyi Oguntubo; Councillor for Imobi Ward 10, Hon. Kemi Aliu; former Councillor for Imobi Ward 10, Hon. Odumosu Anthony, among others.
The sons and daughters of Imobi turned out in large numbers to witness the historic occasion, with the new monarch accompanied by his wife, Olori Olajumoke Balogun, their princes and princesses, members of the Agbon Osiyoruwa Ademuyewo Balogun family, friends and well-wishers.
The Imobi Council of Baales also graced the occasion.
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Baale of Oki-Igbode, Chief Oguntoye Adedayo, congratulated the new Alaye and offered prayers for the monarch, his family and the entire Imobi community.
The celebration featured rich cultural displays, with a Yoruba cultural band entertaining guests with traditional songs and energetic drumming, while hip-hop performances also added a contemporary touch to the festivities.
The celebration later moved to Uba, Imobi, the country home of the new Alaye, where Imobians, friends and well-wishers gathered to celebrate with the monarch. Guests were warmly received by Oba Abdul Fatai Balogun as the atmosphere remained filled with music, hospitality and jubilation.
Grand Finale Attracts Government Officials, Royal Fathers
The grand finale at the St. Benedict’s Primary School playground witnessed an even larger turnout, with the venue filled with dignitaries, community members and guests.
Government representatives included the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hazmat; Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Dr. Oludamilare Kehinde, popularly known as Hacco; Vice Chairman, Hon. Adetutu Oyesanya; and Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Sina Ipaye.
Royal fathers at the occasion included the Aladeshonyin of Noforija and Paramount Ruler of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja; Oba Adebisi Okubanjo, Obiri of Ayepe; Oba Kasali Muftau, Moyegeso of Itele, and other traditional rulers.
The event also recorded strong representation from community development groups and unions.
The Apex Body for Imobi Development, ABID, was represented by Barrister Olumuyiwa Onabanjo, Engineer Abayomi Adebanjo, Elder Titilayo Okeowo and Omooba Lekan Bakare.
The Imobi Descendants Union, IDU, was led by its Chairman, Mr. B.S. Lawal, while the Imobi Sons and Daughters Union was represented under the leadership of Comrade Wasiu Idowu.
The Baales of Imobi also attended the grand finale in uniform under the chairmanship of Chief Rabiu Yekini, the Baale of Tirianga.
Security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, were deployed to maintain peace and order throughout the ceremony.
The massive turnout was also reflected in the number of vehicles at the venue, as the car park reached capacity, with vehicles stretching along the Imobi major road and the Toluwo–Uba Road.
One of the major entertainment highlights was the performance of renowned Apala musician Alhaji Musiliu Haruna Ishola, whose performance got the monarch, dignitaries and Imobians dancing.
A Journey That Began Under the Late Awujale
Beyond the celebration, the installation marked the culmination of a traditional process that dates back to the tenure of the late Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
According to stakeholders, the Imobi Obaship Committee commenced its activities with the support of Oba Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja, the Aladeshonyin of Noforija and Paramount Ruler of Odo-Noforija, who led the committee to the late Awujale.
The late Awujale subsequently endorsed Oba Abdul Fatai Olatunji Balogun and constituted a five-man committee of revered traditional rulers in Ijebuland to deliberate on the Imobi Obaship.
The committee was chaired by the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu-Igbo, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeola Adedeji Adebajo.
Stakeholders noted that despite criticisms and doubts expressed by some individuals during the process, the eventual confirmation and installation of Oba Abdul Fatai Balogun by the Ogun State Government has brought the process to a successful conclusion.
Call for Unity and Development
With the installation now completed, stakeholders have appealed to all Imobi indigenes and residents to put aside disagreements and work together for the development of the community.
The people were urged to shun conspiracy, hypocrisy, disunity and non-cooperation, while embracing unity, cooperation and collective responsibility under the leadership of the new Alaye.
The installation of Oba Abdul Fatai Olatunji Balogun, Gbadewolu I, is therefore being described by community stakeholders as the beginning of a new chapter for Imobi Land, with expectations that the new traditional institution will foster peace, unity, development and stronger cooperation among the various communities and groups within Imobi.
“Idagbasoke Ilu Imobi, Ajose Gbogbo Wa Ni” — The development of Imobi is the collective responsibility of all.
