The Ayeka community in Okitipupa Local Government came alive with pomp and celebration on Monday 13th November, 2017 as the Monarch of Ayeka kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Bode Ayelomi and his council of chiefs rolled out the drums in celebration and investiture of notable Ikale personalities as Chiefs of Lumure, Ode Ayeka.
Prince Oluyemi Bajowa and wife, Princess (Barrister) Oluyemi Bajowa
A major and most significant highlight of the event was the honouring of a prominent couple, whose contribution to the growth of Ikale land cannot be quantified: Prince Oluyemi Bajowa, a retired army General and the Jagunmolu of Ikale Land, and his amiable wife, Princess Barrister Oluyemi Bajowa, who incidentally is of Ayeka origin.
The event which held at the palace of Lumure in the heart of Ayeka was attended by prominent sons and daughters of the land.
The traditional exercise peaked with the decoration of Gen. Bajowa and his wife with their new chieftaincy titles as Ojagbulegun and Yeye Ojagbulegun as the Kabiyesi personally superintend the coronation exercise.
Earlier, “omojas” had displayed with traditional folk songs to entertain guests. The Biripo maestro, High Chief Omotola Emaye was also on ground to supply Biripo lyrics to serenade the culturally charged atmosphere.
In his speech, the Ojagbulegun of Aiyeka and Jagunmolu of Ikale land, Prince. (Dr.) General Olu Bajowa appreciated the Royal stool of Ayeka eminently occupied by Oba Ayelomi, for considering him to be honoured with a chieftaincy title that is so rich in cultural and historical antecedent. He noted that the honour is significant, just as the day is a great day for sons and daughters of both Lumure and Lubokun. He maintained that he is connected to Aiyeka kingdom first as a son-in-law, and now as a prominent chief of the kingdom. Bajowa in his characteristic magnanimity donated N2.5 million towards the completion of the Lumure town hall project.
In her own remark, Yeye Ojagbulegun of Ayeka and Iye Lumure of Ikale land, Chief Mrs Oluyemi Bajowa, while also thanking the Lumure of Ayeka for the traditional honour, noted that the time has come for the people of the kingdom to come together to celebrate their rich cultural heritage. She promised to facilitate the annual celebration of “Ayekaule” Day, adding that the celebration will not be devoid of the frills and thrills of such festivity as observed in other major towns of Yoruba land.
Following in the step of her generous husband, Mrs. Bajowa also made a handsome donation, which was not announced. She was also supported by her friend, Chief Mrs Jadesola Taofeek, whom the Lumure also honoured with the prestigious chieftaincy title of “The Erelu Oba of Ayeka kingdom”.
History recorded that ancestrally, Prince Abodi and Prince Lumure were the direct sons of Oba Esigie of Benin (1504 – 1550) a descendant of Oba Eweka (1200AD – 1300AD), the first son of Oba Oranmiyan, the youngest son of ODUDUWA who reigned as the Oba of Benin before becoming the sixth (6th) Ooni and Oluaye of Ife and later founded the Oyo–Ile/Oyo–Ajaka and established the Alafin dynasty of Oyo.
In succeeding generations, the daughter of Abodi of Ikale, Princess Omogunle married the Crown Prince of Lumure of Ayeka and had only one son Prince “OJAGBULEGUN” who later established Osooro Kingdom with the title of Rebuja,
The “awardees” Prince Dr (Gen) Joseph Oluyemi Bajowa is from the Bajowa Royal Family of Lubokun Ruling House of Lumure clan in Osooro Kingdom and the brother of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Shadrack Gbadebo Bajowa, JP, the present Rebuja of Osooro, whilst Princess Barrister (Mrs) Oluyemi Bajowa, BL, LLM, LLB is the daughter of the present Oba Lumure of Ayeka Kingdom
The chieftaincy installation train moved to the palatial residence of Gen. Bajowa at his Igbotako country home where guests were entertained to sumptuous delicacies as Omo’ba Demola Suzi and his musical band also entertained with his merry making lyrics.
Among the dignitaries at the event were the Rebuja of Osooro land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Gbadebo Bajowa; the Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye; His Royal Highness, Oba Ola Ayeku, the Obagberunme of Igbodigo, Oniju of Iju-Odo, Chief. Akinurun, Asiwaju Benson Akindeju, CEO Ak media, Lagos; Dr. Paul Akintelure and his wife, Pastor Segun Ayerin, Mopol Commander Olubode Ojajuni and a host of others.
