PHOTO: The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (right) in a warm handshake with the Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti, Oba Olatunji Olatunde while the Ajero of Ijero, Oba Joseph Adewole (left) and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro watch with delight …at an event in Abuja
By John Odunayo
The people of Imesi Ekiti in Ayekire Local Government area of Ekiti State celebrated the distinguished presence of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, at the fifth coronation anniversary of their monarch, the Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti, Oba Festus Olatunji Olatunde, Olaibiyemi II.
This was as they, for a week, rolled out the drums to celebrate their monarch, Oba Olatunde, whose reign has brought unprecedented development in all spheres.
The arrival of the Ooni, who was represented by the Asoya of Ile Isoya Kingdom, Ife-Land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Muraina Adebanjo Adedini, was greeted with thunderous ovation and traditional seven-gun salute, reflecting the warm reception and deep respect accorded to His Imperial Majesty.
According to a statement by the Media and Publicity Committee of the Fifth Coronation Anniversary, Oba Adedini reaffirmed the Ooni’s unwavering confidence in the traditional leadership of Oba Olatunde in Imesi Ekiti.
Oba Adedini, while delivering His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi’s goodwill message praised Oba Olatunde’s exemplary adherence to the Ooni’s directive that Yoruba monarchs must prioritize the restoration and maintenance of their ancestral palaces over personal residences.
* Oba Muraina Adedini
The Ooni lauded the Onimesi for undertaking a complete facelift of the Imesi palace, describing the effort as vital to preserving the Yoruba cultural heritage and identity.
He also congratulated the Senate Spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, on his installation as the Gbadero of Imesi Kingdom, lauding the Senate spokesperson for his thoughtfulness and cultural sensitivity in selecting the renovation of traditional royal palaces—including that of Imesi—as his preferred focus for the implementation of Federal Government-approved constituency projects.
According to the monarch, “such commitment reflects a profound appreciation of heritage and legacy preservation”.
The Ooni urged Oba Olatunde to continue to promote the Imesi Cultural Troupe, which featured prominently at the 2023 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife as he extended the invitation of the troupe to participate in the forthcoming 2025 Olojo Festival Cultural Competition, in recognition of its growing relevance in showcasing Yoruba tradition.
In his response, Oba Olatunde expressed heartfelt gratitude to His Imperial Majesty for the steady encouragement and royal support, which he said had greatly inspired the conceptualization and ongoing construction of the new Onimesi palace.
The Imesi Ekiti monarch assured that the Ooni would be duly informed and formally invited to inaugurate the palace upon completion.
The Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, High Chief Barr. Dele Falana, also extended profound appreciation to the Ooni for his unwavering interest in the progress of Imesi.
Falana observed that the Onimesi’s inclusion in the 2023 Conference of Southwest Traditional Leaders on Primary Health Care—facilitated by the Ooni—significantly influenced Imesi’s selection as one of the communities benefitting from the total upgrade of its Primary Health Centre, a joint initiative of the Ekiti State Government and the World Bank.
