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… promises to unite Ijumu elites
Fifty-five (55) year old Chief Ayeni Olusegun Williams, who hails from Iyah-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi state North-Central Nigeria, has been installed the 4th Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom.
Speaking at the traditional installation ceremony of the new Monarch at the palace of the Olujumu of Ijumuland in Iyara the Headquarters of the Local Government Area, the regent of the Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Oba Ibrahim Momoh, the Obaro of Iyamoye who doubled as the Acting Chairman of Ijumu Traditional Council, appreciated God for the opportunity given to him to witness such a landmark and historic election of an individual to occupy the most revered stool in Ijumu land.
He commended the Kingmakers and the entire people of the area for their patience and endurance since the demise of the immediate past Olujumu of Ijumu late Oba Jerome Sumonu in 2014, stressing that the process of installing a new Oba took a while in order for them to make the right choice for the people of Ijumu land.
He further said that it was the first time he would not only witness the installation of a new King but partake in process of electing a new Monarch for the land.
According to him, he is happy handing over to a credible and cultured personality from a humble background, a man that knows and understands the culture and tradition of the people as the new Olujumu, noting that throughout his time as the Acting Chairman of Ijumu Traditional Council, he enjoyed the maximum cooperation and support of all the traditional rulers in the land.
He charged the people of the area to give maximum support and cooperation to the new Monarch in order to move the area forward.
In their separate remarks, the Ologidi of Ogidi land, His Royal Highness, Oba R.O Sule described the process leading to the election of the new monarch as free, fair, credible and transparent, noting that he will enjoy the support of all and sundry, praying that God will grant him knowledge, wisdom and good health to pilot the affairs of the area to a greater height.
The Olukoyi of Okoro – Gbede, His Royal Highness Oba Emmanuel Adebayo Omofe appreciated other Royal Fathers in Ijumu for producing such a great personality to become the Olujumu of Ijumu land at this critical time the land is yearning for development.
Responding after the traditional installation ceremony in Iyara, the new Olujumu of Ijumu elect, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ayeni Olusegun William, appreciated God for giving him and his family members the grace to witness such a memorable day in his life and that of Ijumu land, stressing that he never expected to be elected as a chief in his
community let alone occupying the exalted stool on behalf of the entire Ijumu land, pointing out that it is a call to service.
He commended the Kingmakers for electing him to serve in the revered capacity as the traditional leader of Ijumu Kingdom, promising to justify the confidence reposed in him by galvanizing support from all stakeholders to foster rapid development of the area.
Oba Ayeni called on all and sundry to rally round him in moving the area forward, urging all stakeholders to cooperate in building a new Ijumu kingdom.
Addressing Journalists after the epoch making event, the Secretary of Ijumu Traditional Council, Alhaji Abdulkareem Bello described the process that produced the new Olujumu as credible from the beginning to the point of the traditional installation ceremony, noting that five Chiefs contested for the stool from Gbede district, they include;
(1) Chief Jeminiwa Olushola Jacob who hailed from Iyah – Gbede. He scored 8 votes,
(2) Chief Adewumi Sunday Ologe from Aiyetoro – Gbede who scored no vote,
(3) Chief Musa Bankole Olorunfemi from Aiyegunle – Gbede. He scored 1 vote,
(4). Chief Ibitomi Olorunjuwon from Aiyetoro – Gbede had one vote,
(5) Chief Ayeni Olusegun William from Iyah – Gbede emerged the new Olujumu of Ijumu land with 10 votes.
According to him, the stool of Olujumu of Ijumu is rotated among the three districts that make up of Ijumu Kingdom, pointing out that Gbede district was the first to produce the Olujumu followed by Ijumu Arin
and Ijumu Oke respectively.
He noted that since the immediate past Olujumu of Ijumu hailed from Ijumu Oke, (Ogidi to be precise) and the three districts have all had their first shot it then becomes imperative that it returns to Gbede district to produce the personality to lead the area traditionally.
According to him, the election was under the watch of the Regent of Ijumu Traditional Council, the Obaro of Iyamoye, while the Secretary of the Local Government, Hon. Sunday Omonaiye acted as the Electoral officer that conducted the said election.
Speaking with Journalists at his country home in Iyah – Gbede, Ijumu, the Olujumu Elect reiterated his readiness to unite various personalities across the kingdom noting that Ijumuland is one of the areas blessed with heavy weight personalities that are yet to imparts the land that will reflect their status.
According to him, he will use his good office to bring all and sundry together in other to galvanize rapid development for the area, urging various groups in the area irrespective of their belief and political affiliation to support him in creating a new Ijumu land where love, unity and development become the watch word of everyone.
He said as parts of the traditional rites to assume the full position of the Olujumu of Ijumu, he has to first take his family Orota title from Iyah-Gbede community which he has fulfilled.
He commended the New Direction Administration led by Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for their steadfastness to re-position the state on the right paths of development, promising to continue to work with the administration at both the state and local government.
He described the Administrator of Ijumu Local Government Area and the ALGON Chairman in Kogi State, Alhaji Isah Taufiq as God sent, commended him for his sterling leadership qualities that have assisted in no small measure in resolving many of the chieftaincy issues in the local government.
However, the next stage would be the ratification of his election/appointment by the Okun Area Traditional Council before proceeding to the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for onward approval of his appointment by the Governor and presentation of staff of office.
Brief biography of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ayeni Olusegun William;
Born 55 years ago to the family of Pa Ayeni in Iyah –Gbede, he attended the Kabba Division Education Authority Primary School, Iyah – Gbede in 1969 after which he was transferred to St. John Nursery and Primary School, Maraba in Ilorin where he graduated in 1974. He attended Government Secondary School, Iluke – Bunu and spent just one year before he was transferred to St. Kizito’s College, Isanlu and graduated in 1983.
He had his post secondary school education at both University of Ife, Ile – Ife and Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho where he bagged his Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 2015.
He has since been a successful business mogul. He is married and the marriage is blessed with cultured and God fearing children.
On the 9th January, 2017 he was elected the 4th Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom.
However, in fulfilling the traditional rites of becoming the 4th Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, the Olujumu Elect, Chief Olusegun Ayeni has taken the Orota Chieftaincy title in Iyah-Gbede his community.
Credit: Democracy Newsline
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