The ancient town of Ayere in ijumu local government area of Kogi state was thrown into a frenzy of celebration on Saturday as the traditional ruler of the town and the Alayere of Ayere, Oba (Engineer) Julius Olu Olumodeji 111 marked his first year coronation anniversary.
The iwuye ceremony which drew the creme de la creme of the society including top politicians, bureaucrats and business moguls was used to honour about 28 prominent indigenes and people of various walks of life who had in one way or the other contributed meaningfully to the development of the town.
The colourful occasion which showcased the rich cultural and historical heritage of the ancient town, was also used as a fund raising ceremony for the building of a befitting palace for the Alayere .
Earlier, while speaking with our correspondent, the 74 years old second class Oba and a reputable Engineer who retired from the federal polytechnic, Ado – Ekiti explained how he initially felt reluctant to occupy the throne of his forefathers.
According to him, he said he came for the burial of his aged mother sometimes last year and had planned within himself that it might take a little time before he steps his feet on the soil of the community but he was surprised that shortly after the death of the late Alayere, people in the community started calling on him to come and occupy the exalted throne.
He said, he was afraid and felt that how could he as an anointed minister in one of the popular pentecostal churches decided to go into chieftaincy issue , he said he therefore decided to seek the face of God for many days in prayers and fasting on what to do.
According to him, he said God directed him to go and occupy the throne that it was he – God – who had ordained him to be the king and assured him not to entertain any fear whatsoever.
In his words, he said God told him that he must be ready to face the consequences if he declined to be the king and that whosoever come against him for being ordained as the king must be ready to face his wrath
Bubbling with this assurance, the affable Philanthropist said he immediately embarked on the electrification of some streets in his community via solar street light which gulps millions of Naira , this is aside several developmental efforts he had carried out in his community even before he was selected for the exalted throne.
Speaking on the occasion, traditional ruler however called on the state government and meaningful Individuals to come to the aid of the community by providing social amenities to the ancient town to better the lots of the people.
. While requesting for portable water in the community, he called on government to complete the Asaya – Ogidi – Ayere road that links the community with major towns in Ondo state and urged them to open feeder roads that can enhance the transportation of agricultural produce to the urban areas.
In his good will message,, the Olujumu of Ijumu land , Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni congratulated the new king for marking his first year anniversary and prayed that his reign in the community will usher in peace , harmony and rapid development and urged all the segment of the community to give him maximum cooperation.
The Olujumu called on all those present including prominent indigenes of the community both at home and in diaspora and indeed all well meaning personalities to contribute generously towards the building of a befitting palace for the Alayere.
Among those honoured with chieftaincy titles include Senator Sunday Karimi as the Gbobaniyi of Ayere land and his wife as Yeye Gbobaniyi of Ayere land, kogi state commissioner of finance, Hon Asiru Idris as Aare Atuluse of Ayere land and the wife as Yeye Atuluse of Ayere land and Hon Salman Idris and his wife as Aare Soludero Yeye Soludero of Ayere land respectively.
Others are provost of college of education technical, Kabba, Dr Mrs Victoria Ojagboro as the Yeye ob
