By John Odunayo
The ancient Otun Ekiti community in the Moba Local Government area of Ekiti State once again showcased culture, tradition, elegance and beauty at its 2024 Ifa Aba Festival.
Sources said that the community, which has been in existence before the 12th Century, has very rich tradition and custom.
Ifa Aba Festival, which is the first festival in the New Year in the Otun Ekiti traditional calendar, offered the Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeayo Adeagbo, yet another opportunity to offer prayers for the community for the New Year.
Oba Adeagbo on the occasion of the festival, which signifies the celebration of Otun Ekiti monarch, offers prayers for the prosperity of Otun Ekiti, Mobaland, Ekiti State and Nigeria in general.
What a beauty to behold as the train of festivities which starts from the Oore Palace, led by Oba Adeagbo, visited the Oore Market and prayed for the prosperity of Oja Oba.
The Ifa Aba Festival is also yet a special moment for the Oore to meet the market women and men and pray for all of them. The excited market men and women yearly look forward to this once in a year prayer session.
Oba Adeagbo, the 22nd Oore, a position steeped in over 1,000 years of history, who belongs to a special breed of traditional rulers, is always in celebration mood with every cause to celebrate every passing minute.
The Oore, who carries an aura of happiness around him, radiates joy which has become the lot of Otun Ekiti that he rules over and indeed the entire Mobaland.
What gives the Oore fulfilment, satisfaction and joy is seeing his subjects in particular and mankind in general happy and having their purpose realized in life.
That is the reason Oba Adeagbo prioritises service to humanity which he had learnt from his parents – the late Prince Samuel Adebowale Adeagbo, an ardent follower of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former Vice-Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Transport; and the late Princess Janet Ara Adeagbo, community leader and the Chairman, Kadejan Hotels, Bashorun Ibadan.
The ascension of Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, born into the illustrious Ile Eye Aba Ruling House of Otun Ekiti, to the throne of his forebears on May 27, 2020 and the unprecedented developments that Otun Ekiti has witnessed under him are testimonies to the love and passion he has for the community and his ardent observance of culture and tradition.
Oba Adeagbo’s reign is marked by unity, peace, and development. He envisions a future of progress for Otun Ekiti, Moba land, and the Yoruba race. His transformative leadership earned him the Ekiti Peace Day Royal Personality of the Year 2023 award.
Recently, the frontline monarch was appointed as the Coordinator, Southwest Nigeria, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, a testament to his influence and leadership.
Oba Adeagbo’s reign has been marked by unity, peace, and development. He envisions a future of progress for Otun Ekiti, Moba land, and the Yoruba race. His transformative leadership earned him the Ekiti Peace Day Royal Personality of the Year 2023 award and 2024 Top Society Man Award.
Oba Adeagbo began his education at All Saints’ Primary School, Jericho, Ibadan, and the International School, University of Ibadan. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University and holds Honorary Doctorate in Peace and Conflict Resolution from Espam University, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
Before ascension to the throne, Oba Adeagbo had a distinguished career in the corporate world, showcasing his expertise as an economist and leader in organizations like Colkon Marine Support Services Ltd and Mettle Dredging and Marine Ltd.
Oba Adeagbo serves as the Royal Ambassador of Imperial Crest Global Realties Limited, owners of Ewa Moba Estate and other exquisite estates. His visit to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) alongside the Ooni of Ife demonstrates his commitment to promoting cooperation between traditional leaders and government agencies.
