“I salute my royal brothers, the esteemed obas of the six Imesis, whose presence here gladdens our hearts and reaffirms the eternal bond of kinship among our peoples”
By John Odunayo
The Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Festus Olatunji Olatunde, Olaibiyemi II, has expressed delight over the reunion of the six Imesis communities, which had been separated by Yoruba wars of old.
The Imesi communities in Ekiti, Osun and Ogun states are Imesi Ekiti (Ekiti), Okemesi Ekiti (Ekiti), Imesi Ile (Osun), Imasayi-Yewa (Ogun), Ijebu (Ogun) and Okun Owa (Ogun).
Oba Olatunde spoke at Imesi Ekiti on Wednesday during the celebration of the Odun Ade Festival 2025 of the community, an event to celebrate Imesi’s heritage, unity, and growing prominence under the reign of the Onimesi.
The monarch said, “Today, history smiles upon us once again. This year’s Odun Ade Festival is not an ordinary celebration it is a festival of unity, reconciliation, and rediscovery.
“Once again, all the six Imesis, bound by shared ancestry but separated by the Yoruba wars of old, have come together as one united family. Our gathering today is proof that though history may divide, destiny unites.
“The Imesi Ojugbaye body wishes to appeal that henceforth, our (Imesi communities) words and actions must place emphasis on our shared ancestry and progenitor rather than the divisive history of seniority.
“I salute my royal brothers, the esteemed obas of the six Imesis, whose presence here gladdens our hearts and reaffirms the eternal bond of kinship among our peoples”.
The traditional rulers of the Imesi communities, who were at Imesi Ekiti to celebrate Odun Ade Festival 2025 with Oba Olatunde included the Owa Ooye of Imesi-Ile, Osun State, Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi; the Owa Ooye of Okemesi Ekiti, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji (represented); the Olu of Imasayi-Yewa, Oba Lukeman Adeleke Kuoye; and the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Oba Rasheed Adesanya and as well the Chairman, Regency Council, Okun-Owa, Balogun Olumuyiwa Oduwole.
The popular Imesi drum ensemble performed to the admiration of the crowd at the Odun Ade Festival 2025.
