There will be no shortage of pageantry on Friday, September 19, 2025, when prime movers of events in Ijesaland, Nigeria and the diaspora gather at the Muson Centre, Lagos, to showcase Ijesa history as never told, its fertile and mineral-rich land, its vibrant people, as well as its rich traditions and culture.
The two-in-one event, which is the brainchild of the The Ijesa Society, will feature the public presentation of a book, THE HISTORY OF IJESA TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES: THE PEOPLE, LAND AND HERITAGE, and the celebration of the 77th natal day of the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III.
The icing on the cake would be a special focus and launch of a project, a N1 billion iconic building to be built in the heart of Lagos called Osomaalo House.
High Chief Lateef Akande Bakare, the Ajirowa of Ijesaland, is the President of The Ijesa Society, the masterminds and sponsor of the august book and Osomaalo House.
In a press statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday, Ajirowa Bakare gave the inspiration behind the book, Osomaalo House, and underscored the significance of the decision by The Ijesa Society to hold the events with the 77th birthday celebration of Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III.
“We conceptualized the idea of the book, THE HISTORY OF IJESA TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES: THE PEOPLE, LAND AND HERITAGE, as a veritable tool to clear any web of confusion and fill any void that may exist in the consciousness of people about who we truly are as a people, as Ijesas,” the Ajirowa said.
“Edmund Burke said ‘Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.’ We do not want our youths, this generation and subsequent generations, to grope in in the dark about their roots, their land, their heroes, their culture and tradition, even villains of history.
“The book, THE HISTORY OF IJESA TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES: THE PEOPLE, LAND AND HERITAGE, beams powerful, luminous light into the trunk of time telling the Ijesa story, the story of our land, our people, our heroes past and present, our struggles through time, the attacks withstood, the storms endured, the lean time, the time of plenty, the narrow and luxurious years, our happiness and prosperity.
The book tells it all.”Beyond the pages of the historic book, however, The Ijesa Society is signposting the spectacular event with the unveiling of a project, the construction of an iconic building called Osomaalo House.
The spectacular edifice, according to the initiators, would be a perfect symbolism of the giant strides that Ijesas had made, and are still making in business, science and technology, infrastructure, the professions, education, faith, to mention a few.
And what informs the choice of Lagos as home of such an historical symbol?
Sir Demola Aladekomo, chairman of Chams Holding Plc, a company with bold signature on many digital projects in Nigeria and Africa, is the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the historical event.
Speaking to the importance of Osomaalo House, Aladekomo recalls that for over a century, the Ijesas have played a pivotal role in shaping Lagos—impacting markets like Idumota and Jankara, influencing the judiciary, and contributing to infrastructure, education, and faith communities.
He buttresses that point, citing the example of Candido Da Rocha, an Ijesa business mogul who was Nigeria’s first millionaire.
Da Rocha, who was born in 1860 and died on March 11, 1959, was the Lodifi of Ilesa.
He was reputed to be the owner of the Water House on Kakawa Street, and the now-defunct Bonanza Hotel in Lagos.
The Ijesa business mogul was also credited with establishing water pipelines from Iju to Lagos Island, Yaba, Ebute Metta, and other areas in need of pipe-borne water.
Many prominent Ijesa had followed, and are still following in the giant entrepreneurial steps of Da Rocha, Sir Aladekomo continues. These include: Chief Saliu Bolaji Bakare, popularly known as S.B. Bakare, a well-respected Ijesa entrepreneur in Lagos who operated one of Nigeria’s largest stevedore businesses during the 1960s, before branching into shipping and acquiring assets from William Hamilton Biney.
The organizing committee chairman did not leave out Chief Lawrence Omole, Chief Isaac Ojo Ajanaku and Chief Ladejola Ogini (all late now) who, though made Ilesa their base, had significant investments in Lagos.
He also did not forget the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, who has substantial investments in Lagos and Abuja.
“These are just a few examples,” Ajirowa Lateef Bakare adds.
“We have not even spoken about Ijesas of our generation, even youths, who are making phenomenal impact through heavy investments in Lagos.
This is why The Ijesa Society has decided to honour our Kabiyesi (Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup) on his birthday this way.”
The double-barreled event is strictly by invitation, and would start at 11a.m.
Born on September 19, 1948, into the Ajimoko Royal Family, the life of Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, has been marked by superlative achievements especially in governance, business, human capital development, real estate, construction, and philanthropy.
The Owa had his secondary education at Eko Boys’ High School and ‘A’ Level at the Federal School of Sciences in Lagos before earning a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
He returned to Nigeria in 1981 and made significant impact in public service, rising rapidly to become Deputy Governor of Osun State in 1990.
During his tenure, he contributed to significant policy reforms and infrastructure projects, which laid the foundation for the state’s growth.
Owa Haastrup later quit politics and shifted his focus to the private sector, founding the ENL Consortium Limited in 2002.
Under his leadership, the company became a major player across multiple industries, including power generation, port operations, real estate development, hospitality, road construction, and gold mining.
His ventures have not only created jobs but have also contributed to Nigeria’s economic development, with significant collaborations with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Power Holding Company of Nigeria, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency.
Sequel to the demise of then Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II on September 11, 2024, Kingmakers announced then Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the 41st Owa following a meticulous selection process.
His selection was officially approved by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on December 27, 2024, who presented the new Owa with his staff of office on December 29, 2024.
On May 23, 2025, Owa Haastrup’s coronation was held amid pomp in Ilesa, a historic event that many still discuss with excitement across the land till date.
Shola Oshunkeye/CrestNg
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