Haastrup, new Owa-Obokun gets staff of office from Governor Adeleke
Clement Adesuyi Haastrup
Haastrup, new Owa-Obokun gets staff of office from Governor Adeleke
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday, presented the staff of office and instrument of appointment to the newly-appointed Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup.
The event, held at the entrance to Obokungbusi town hall, Ilesa, was attended by prominent Nigerians and traditional rulers.
Among them were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Adedotun; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi; the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin and the Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa, Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe, among others.
The enthronement of the new monarch followed the passing of the immediate-past Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, on September 12, 2024, at the age of 86 years, after 40 years on the throne.
Speaking at the event, Adeleke urged Oba Haastrup to deploy his wealth of experience garnered over the years and contacts within and outside the country for the development of Ijesaland.
He also called on Ijesa sons and daughters to continue to support the development of the area, while assuring them that his administration would intensify developmental efforts across the state.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Haastrup declared his readiness to support the establishment of a vocational school in Ilesa where artisans would be trained, to encourage local production of basic needs of the people.
He also declared war on land grabbing in his domain and called on all to join hands with him to move Ijesaland forward.
“The time for the contest is now over. Let us come together and unite to build a stronger and more prosperous future for all the people of Ijesaland. For me, there is ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’
“Let me also use this opportunity to salute the patience, resilience and resourcefulness of our youths and reassure them that a new dawn has come. Modalities shall be put in place to promote the productive engagement of our teeming youths in Ijesaland.
“There shall be a policy direction to promote the economic growth of Ijesaland through agriculture and agro-allied industries, as well as supporting creative and strategic development ventures in Ijesaland.
“There shall be zero tolerance for land grabbing in my name and the name of other persons, no matter how highly placed.
“Efforts shall be made towards the establishment of Ijesa Technical Institute, placing serious attention on the production of artisans, as it is done in China, Ghana and other places,” he said.
The traditional ruler, it was gathered, subsequently began his seclusion, with a coronation party scheduled for a later date.
A release by the Owa Obokun Media Office, obtained shortly after the presentation, read: “While the official selection process, which began on Friday, December 27, 2024, has now been completed with the presentation of staff of office, Oba Haastrup will immediately proceed to seclusion, where other traditional rites would be observed.
“Before he will end his seclusion, a date for the elaborate coronation party befitting this first-class king, who has previously served as deputy governor of the state, would be announced.”
