Ekiti Govt Elevates Alasa, 10 Others To First Class Monarch

The Alasa of Ilasa-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty Oba Ajayi Omolagba, Odanaogun IV, has been elevated to a first class monarch alongside 10 other monarchs by the Ekiti State Government. 

In a statement Thursday by the State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Chief Muyiwa Olumilua, the elevation was sequel to the approval of the White Paper on the Justice Jide Aladejana Chieftaincy Review Commission by the state government.

Olumilua said that the White Paper was considered and approved at the state Executive Council meeting held on December 19.

“The council approved the upgrade of 11 traditional rulers to Grade A and five others to Grade B. It also approved the autonomous status granted to five communities,” the commissioner said.

Olumilua also listed the other newly upgraded Grade A monarchs to include the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Eleda of Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, Onisin of Isinbode-Ekiti, Apalufin of Aisegba-Ekiti, Olosan of Osan-Ekiti and Onigogo of Igogo- Ekiti.

Others were the Olupoti of Ipoti-Ekiti, Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti, Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti and Olusin of Usin-Ekiti.

The newly-upgraded Grade B monarchs are the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Obanikosun of Ikosun-Ekiti, Alafon of Ilafon-Ekiti, Onikogosi of Ikogosi-Ekiti and Olupole of Ipole-Ekiti.

The commissioner also gave the five communities granted autonomous status as Ijowa (Alajowa of Ijowa-Ekiti), Isaya (Asaya of Isaya-Ekiti), Ahan Ayegunle (Alahan of Ahan Ayegunle-Ekiti), Owatedo (Oloja Owa of Owatedo-Ekiti) and Iro Ayeteju (Owa Ateju of Iro Ayeteju-Ekiti).

He said that the tradition rulers of the communities granted autonomous status would now bear Grade C title rank.

The commissioner said that the exercise was ongoing and that further announcements would be made in due course.

Reacting to the promotion of Alasa of Ilasa-Ekiti, Barrister Tajudeen Olutope Ahmed, the Counsel to Alasa, said the feat, “which is most commendable, befitting and worthwhile is a product of relentless struggle, undying agitation and huge financial cost.”

According to the Counsel, “Ever since his appointment as the Alasa of Ilasa-Ekiti, Oba Ajayi Omolagba has been out to reposition Ilasa-Ekiti to its appropriate status. He has sacrificed so much to reclaim the lost glory of the ancient community.

“Within his almost five years in the saddle he has petitioned two Chieftaincy Review Commissions. In each of his appearance before the Commission, Kabiyesi had made uncommon and first class submissions for the upgrading of the stool of Alasa of Ilasa-Ekiti to a first class one. His efforts has finally yielded the much expected positive dividend.

“While other communities would levy their members to raise money for the sponsorship of petitions at Commissions, Oba Ajayi Omolagba decided to bear the cost of the entire process on behalf of Ilasa-Ekiti community. As the Counsel to His Majesty, I confirm and affirm that it is not a tea party to sponsor petitions at the Chieftaincy Commission.

While congratulating His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajayi Omolagba on this noble feat and attainment; he equally felicitated with the entire sons and daughters of Ilasa-Ekiti on the unprecedented attainment in the annals of our community.