CLEMENT ADESUYI HAASTRUP EMERGES OWA OBOKUN OF IJESALAND

Looja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House has been elected as the Owa Obokun Ajimoko III and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland.

He emerged victorious in a transparent and peaceful selection process held at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat along the Ilesa-Oshogbo Road, defeating nine other candidates.

The selection process was conducted by the kingmakers, which included six Iworo Mefa and seven Agba Ijesa.

The Iworo Mefa comprised Obaala, High Chief Ibitoye; Ogboni Ipole, Oba Omokehinde Oyeleye; Ogboni Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye (Elegboro); Ogboni Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro; Ogboni Ilesa, High Chief Saka Fapohunda; and Oba Odo of Ilesa. On the Agba Ijesa side were the Risawe of Ilesa, High Chief Adefioye Adedeji (who was absent); Lejoka of Ilesa, High Chief Omoniyi Ojo; Lejofi of Ilesa, High Chief Adebusoye Onigbogi; Arapate of Ilesa, High Chief Oluwagbemiga Fadunsin Igbaroola; Loro of Ilesa, High Chief Lekan Folorunso; Odole of Ilesa, High Chief Bola Orolugbagbe; and Mr. Abimbola Aluko, a warrant officer representing the Saloro of Ilesa, whose stool is vacant.

Announcing the result, the Head of Local Government Administration in Ilesa West Local Government, Mrs. Felicia Olabimtan, stated that Looja Clement Adesuyi secured the highest votes to emerge as the Owa Obokun-elect.

She noted that six kingmakers voted, while seven others were ineligible.

Speaking after the exercise, the Ogboni of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro, and the Elegboro of Ijesaland, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, described the process as peaceful and congratulated the Owa-elect.

They expressed optimism about the beginning of a new era for Ijesaland.

Credit: Isaac Haastrup