FUNSHO AROGUNDADE/Iwo
The ancient town of Iwo in Osun State was agog with excitement on Saturday October 7, as various dignitaries from across the country and abroad thronged the town to celebrate with their monarch, the Oluwo of Iwoland, HIM, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu 1 who celebrated his golden 50th birthday and second anniversary of his coronation as Oluwo.
The exquisite King’s Riverside Holiday Resort venue of the double celebration was enlivened as encomiums poured in from various quarters on the achievements of Oba Akanbi since he ascended the throne as the traditional ruler of the land.
The widely-traveled monarch who was colourfully dressed in rich, embroidered Yoruba Aso Oke, and ably supported by his adorable wife, Olori Chanel Chin Akanbi, was full of life as royal fathers, politicians, business gurus and other notable people, who gathered to celebrate him, unanimously described him as an icon worthy to be emulated and celebrated.
Leading the encomium was Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who was in the town with some member of his Exco to felicitate with Oba Akanbi.
The governor congratulated the monarch on the double celebration and for the great role he has been playing in the development of Iwoland and Osun State in general.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was the Father of the day at the occasion, but ably represented by Chief Layi Olakojo, the former Secretary to the Government, Oyo State, also appreciate the Oluwo and enjoined him to continue to lead his people right.
The royal father of the day, the Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, also spoke glowingly of Oba Akanbi.
The Etsu Nupe, who described the celebrant as a man full of passion and keen for the well being of his people, pledged his continued support for the Oluwo and the entire Iwoland.
The high point of the celebration was when a special publication “Iwo Odidere” was publicly presented and launched.
This was widely supported by the dignitaries present including the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by his special adviser on media, Mr. Tunde Rahman, and the chairman of the occasion, HIM Oba Obateru Akinrutan, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, who also was represented.
Others alongside their goodwill messages also announced donations in support of the project being launched.
Ita-Giwa noted that the Oluwo needed to be celebrated for bringing a new direction in the traditional system in Nigeria and for been close to his people.
She also praised the monarch for rallying the necessary support of well-meaning persons to help improve the infrastructure in his domain.
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