A Worthy Chieftaincy Installation: Aare & Yeye Aare Akile Of The Source, Ile-Ife

OLATUNBOSUN OLADIMEJI

Today, all roads lead to the ancient Palace in Ile-Ife as kings, chiefs, dignitaries, and people from all walks of life gather to witness the installation of Aare Akile, Rotimi Benjamin Ibidapo, OON, and Yeye Aare Akile , Remilekun Mulikat Ibidapo of the Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba race.

This momentous occasion celebrates the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Yoruba people.

It’s a divine appointment that has brought this extraordinary couple together. Prince Rotimi Benjamin Ibidapo, OON, and his better half, Erelu Remilekun Mulikat Ibidapo, are destined for greatness, breaking records and setting new benchmarks. To be modest, their journey is truly worthy of recognition in the Guinness World Book of Records as events continue to unfold.

My acquaintance with Prince Rotimi spans over four decades, courtesy of his late older brother, Agama, and uncle, King Joe, a retired military officer I knew during my days in the Nigerian Army barracks, Emene, Enugu.

Prince Rotimi hails from the Olowo Aghagunhaye dynasty, born to Samuel Boje and Rachael Ayiwobu Ibidapo of Arigidi-Uloro, Owo, a bastion of Owo culture and traditions. Well-groomed and charismatic, Prince Rotimi owes his values to his disciplined upbringing. His educational journey took him to St. Andrew’s Anglican Primary School, Owo, New Church Grammar School Owo, and the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. He furthered his education with a Master’s degree in the Metropolitan University United Kingdom and has accumulated various chieftaincy titles from different kingdoms, including Agba-Akin of Ijebu-Owo, Aare Atunluse of Owo Kingdom, Aare Apesin of Akure Kingdom, and Aare Kajewolu of Oka-Akoko land.

I have known Erelu Remilekun Mulikat Ibidapo for almost five decades, as a royal elegant respectful lady, an advisor, and a supportive daughter of her famous father, Chief Jimoh Ajanaku Makun, the first Seriki of Musilimu of Owoland, who sponsored over eighty-seven people to the holy pilgrimage, Mecca and Medina. Her mom, Chief Deborah Adeyoriola Ajanaku Makun, who is in her mid-nineties, is the Iya Isale of Methodist Church Cathedral Circuit Owo and a retired chartered trader.

She is a cosmopolitan individual who grew up in a well-settled large family with pure African culture, custom, norms, traditions, and religious harmony beliefs that are respected and valued. Responsibilities, responsiveness, and family bonds are precious to the family she was nurtured in.

She is also a younger sister to my wife Bolaji. They both share a sisterly bond and fond memories.

Erelu Remilekun Mulikat is a certified practicing professional nurse, nurtured in a large extended family environment. She studied at St. Martin’s Primary School Owo, St. Catherine’s Girl’s Grammar School Owo, and attended University in Belgium and became a certified practising professional nurse.

She is a leader of various companies, including Helping Hand Nurse and Deborah Multi-Specialist Hospital in USA and Deborah Multi-Specialist Diagnostic Centre Owode Oba-Ile Akure, Ondo. As she is about to receive another prestigious and culturally inclined title from Ile-Ife, she is currently a holder of many community chieftaincy titles, of which the prominent ones are the Erelu Apesin of Akure Kingdom and Yeye Aare Kajewolu of Oka-Akoko land.

Today, December 6th, Prince Rotimi and his wife are set to be installed as Aare Akile and Yeye Aare Akile of Ile-Ife, the source of the Yoruba race, by the revered Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

As Aare Akile, Prince Rotimi embodies excellence in business, philanthropy, and community development. His commitment to humanity and community development has earned him national recognition, including the Order of the Niger, OON. Aare Akile’s partnership with his wife is a testament to their shared values and dedication to making a difference. Congratulations to the royal couple on this momentous occasion!

Ewe oye amori oooh!
Ewe oye aro oooh!

*Olatunbosun Oladimeji is a media practitioner, businessman and politician.