The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;They are new every morning;Great is God’s faithfulness.
We cannot but, extol the Lord , our God, The king and the creator of the universe.
We bless His name for ever and ever.
Today is exactly 90 Days of IPEBI,90 Days of seclusions and intense spiritual engagements and relationships with God Almighty through the Deities and through His disciples.
One thing succinctly makes the difference in Ijesaland, though we have great traditions and customs, we do so based on faith and obedience to God. We do not prioritize our traditions above God’s commandments.
That’s why in 90 days, every Sunday was set aside for Christian Churches to conduct service of praise and worship unto God of Ijesaland being our own Israel. Each Friday was also observed by Muslim Faithfuls to seek ALLAH’S protection, Mercy and Peace. Of course, the Deities were given all their rights as instructed by Jesus Christ, ” Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
Our Kabiyesi, Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP, Ajimoko bi Oyinbo, Akanni Aro, Owa Akorede, never allowed himself to be trapped by Ijesa customs and traditions. As he was fulfilling the civic and customary duties of Culture and Tradition, so he was upholding higher moral and religious values.
Today is the last day of Ipebi, the story, so beautiful, historic and delightful. Each character acted faithfully and observed all the protocols of the 90 days spiritual cleansings and traditional etiquettes with all sense of responsibility and commitment. High Chief Folorunso Olamilekan, otherwise called Lekan Salami by his admirers is the “Loro” of Ilesa. Loro is popularly referenced as “Loro Baba Ijesa” from the ancient history due to his unfettered loyalty and exemplary sacrifice as a subject of Owa Obokun Adimula. It is recorded in the history of Ijesaland that years back when Agba Ijesas conspired against Owa Obokun Adimula, Loro stood up for Owa and gave his own daughter to be used for sacrifice along with Kabiyesi’s son. Since then, Loro has assumed tremendous prominence in Ijesaland, hence, the phrase, “se uwo ni Owa, abi Loro”, just to checkmate arrogance or pomposity by anyone in a group or community. High Chief Folorunso Olamilekan, “Loro” kept faith and obedience and courage with Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP as conducted and done by all the past “Loros” with the past Owa Obokun Adimula.
Ogboni’s position in Ijesaland as far as Ipebi is concerned is not substitutable and cannot be waved at any cost or by any means. He is the mandatory host of Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland for the 90 days to be spent at IPEBI. The relationship between Ogboni and Owa Obokun is traceable to Benin, Edo State. He was elected by Oba of Benin to protect and defend Owa Obokun Adimula at all costs and by all means and must never conspire with anyone or Chief to do harms to Owa Obokun Adimula. And, by every inch, Ogboni Saka Fapounda, otherwise called “B’elejo Koju” adhered strictly to all the traditional protocols of Ipebi throughout the 90 days which ends today, April 21, 2025. Because of the advantageous strategic location of Ogboni Quarters in Ereja, which is the Center of the city of Ilesa, Ogboni boasts himself as “Ogboni lo l’Ereja ko bu k’Owa s’ogun”. And, whenever he extends his pride at saying, “Owa ni oun jije bi Ogboni ‘Lashore, the Ijesas will quickly counter him saying, “Ogboni ni oun jije bi Iyaloja”. Ogboni Saka Fapounda deserves to be congratulated for successfully keeping Kabiyesi, Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP, Ajimoko 111 in his well refurbished Quarters for these 90 days.
Before I discuss, Alhaji Lateef Bakare, LAB who is the Majestic Ajirowa of Ijesaland, let me refer to the other Ogbonis. For the purpose of clarifications and proper understanding, the word “Ogboni” by the Agba Ijesas does not mean the same thing as in Ogboni Cult or Confraternity. It simply means, “Ogbo Ni” shortened to “Ogboni”. “Ogbo Ni” means”Arugbo Ni” that is “a person of Old Age” who can be trusted with wisdom and sense of maturity and humility. It’s commendable to say that, Ogboni Ipole, Oba Omokehinde Oyeleye, Ogboni Ijebu-Jesa, Elegboro Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, Ogboni Ibokun (B’Abokun), Alademure, Oba Festus Awogboro stood solidly and in solidarity with Ogboni of Ilesa to ensure that the IPEBI rites and protocols were duly and dutifully observed by Owa Obokun Adimula. Mention must be made of Alaye, the Chief Priest of ORISA OLUFON, Onimo of Imo, who hosted the Lowabisi and the Iro Priests from Erin Ijesa, Petelua, Sagburin and the Priests of Obatala and Yemowo, Oba Loro of Ibokun, Lemodu and the Priests of Obokun and Osayin, Bajemo, Obasaluwa or Salua, Agbayewa and other Priests who played their roles without living any stone unturned.
Specially, Chief Disu Oyedele, Salotun of Ilesa, Chief Oladayo Oginni, Risa Ijamo, Chief Loosare and Likoti, the Four Musketeers who stood sternly behind Kabiyesi Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP throughout, from Igbo Ikin to Igbadae, and from Ibokun to Ipebi until this successful and expectedly glorious end.
We were there dutifully and resiliently and with all sense of responsibility, honor and dignity. We, Akinloye Ajayi -Obe ( Lemodu), aptly called “Ana Owa”, Dosu Gidigbi ( Arojo), known also as “Father GEE or Esuku”, the All Rounder Boye Uzamoth, called by us all as “Lord”, Akinyele Akintola, the political juggernaut called “Anfaani 4 All”, the Indefatigable Prince Isaac HAASTRUP, Olorin Oba Rawlings etc. We were resourceful and resolute keeping all eyes opened, all hears on ground and gathering facts from every nooks and corners to ensure every bit of success.
Now, to the Ajirowa of Ijesaland and Yeye Oba, Princess of the Ajimoko family, Mrs. Ajayi -Obe. Alhaji Lateef Bakare, LAB can only be described as God’s messenger in the process of selection of Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP as the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland. No wonder some negativity mongers are wont to refer to our Kabiyesi as “Owa Lati”. But, he deserves much more than that, being determined, focused and unperturbed throughout the struggle. He spent time and all forms of resources, just mention it, to ensure victory for Ijesaland in the choice of Owa Akorede. Indeed, I congratulate him, specifically for the success story and the landmark we are successfully recording today.
Yeye Oba’s attitudes and attributes are clear testimony to the fact that, “okun omo iya yi”. You can easily see it in her eyes and behaviors that the strong bonds and links with Kabiyesi are genuine and immaculate. Yet, she’s such a humble personality with very beautiful mind. I rejoice with her on this very memorable day the Lord has faithfully made.
Owa Peter Agunlejika was identified with a peculiar sound of the talking drum which goes thus, ” ta lo n binu, ta lo n binu, Nigbakunigba ninu Olorun n dun, ta lo n binu”. Our great Owa Obokun Adimula, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran 11, LL.B, CFR was identified with his own peculiar sound of the drum, “ko gbodo wi, ko gbodo wi, eni o dun mo, ko gbodo wi”. Today, the new sound, renewed and inherited from Ajimoko bi Oyinbo will be, ” Ire, ire la n wa, ire. L’aye Ajimoko, ire la n wa, ire”. No wonder, he was nicknamed “Owa Akorede” by Ogboni of Ijebu-Jesa, Elegboro Oba Olufemi Agunsoye. No wonder, Ijesas have been witnessing tremendous development and progress so far. Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP, Ajimoko 111 has been embarking on monumental projects and action programs such as complete renovations for the Obokungbusi City Hall, the ancient Civic Center, the age long Ile Orisa Olufon, the main Palace of Owa Obokun Adimula and other structures within the Palace. The Palace Community is expected to have additional structures such as a health clinic, rebranded security outfits, Christian Chapel, Royal Heritage Library and so on. Kabiyesi has also embarked on his Agriculture Development Program for Ijesaland. Candidates for a two weeks training in Agriculture will be selected this week. These and many more developmental projects are expected to transform Ijesaland during his reigns.
As I write, Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP has engaged and bankrolled the repairs of Ilesa -Ibadan Road to make it motorable for people who will be coming for his coronation and thereafter. He is particular about the very precarious state of the road and ready to use his immense influence to ensure the construction of the road. He has enlisted the support and engagement of a group of people to reconstruct Isida -Adeti -Oke Ola to Iwere-Isoku road. His aim is to make Isokun to round about a one way traffic and the Isida to Iwere junction a one way traffic.
From today, Owa Obokun Adimula will leave Ogboni Quarters for Loro Quarters. It’s an all night event that will involve traditional and cultural rites such as the wearing of the Crown for the first time, going to “Igbo Iwesi” in Odo Iro to cleanse his head while the Priests will be singing during the process. OWA will move to Odo-Aragan to be led by Loro and other high chiefs like Odole, Risawe, Arapate, Agbayewa, Salua, the Aares, Elegbes, Omode Owa, and Elegbaajis. Also, the Aworo Orisas including Petelua, Sagburin have some specific roles to perform.
Owa will during the various rites receive “Iru-Okun” or “Irukere”, “Abebe”, and “Ileke”. Irukere duro fun ayo ati ife aisetan ati inu didun si gbogbo eniyan. Irukere yi ni yi o fi ma ki eniyan ni gbogbo igba.
Abebe wa lati ma mu inu Oba dun, lati je ki okan Oba dariji enikeni to see asise.
Ileke Owa yato si gbogbo Ileke awon Oloye re. O si wa fun oso orun Oba.
Lati oni yi lo, ko si Oloye ti Asa ati Ise Ile Ijesa fun ni aaye lati te Opa wa si iwaju Owa Obokun Adimula, beeni enikeni tabi Oloye kankan ko gbudo ju Irukere si Owa Obokun. Ko si si eni ti o gbodo ki Owa lori inaro, idobale ni gbogbo eniyan ma n ki Owa Obokun Adimula.
It’s a very Big Congratulations to Kabiyesi, Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP, the Oloris, the Princes and Princesses and the entire Bilaro Oluodo Royal Family for today’s outing. Big congratulations to Olori Ebi, Looja, Onimelu of Imelu Ijesa, Oba Onifade and specially the Ajimokos.
Ki Oloun je ki Igba Owa Clement ADESUYI HAASTRUP, Ajimoko 111 tu gbogbo wa l’ara. Amin.
Piece by Akintola Akinyele
Image: Isaac Haastrup
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