Gov Abiodun Installs Oba-elect, Chief Reuben Oluwanbe Sogaolu Second Olu of Orile Imo

…Be magnanimous in victory, rule with passion – Amb. Ogunsola urges Olu of Orile Imo 

…Alake reels out crucial interventions, urges continuity

Sodiq Mojibola

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has installed the Oba-elect of Orile Imo in Obafemi Local Government Area of Ogun State as the Second Olu of Orile Imo.

The presentation of the staff of office was held today, at Orile Imo, where eminent personalities, stakeholders honoured the event.

Amongst personalities present at the event are the paramount ruler of Egba land, His Majesty, the Alayeluwa Oba (Dr) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR Okukenu iv, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland and all members of the Egba Traditional Council, amongst other stakeholders in the community.

Governor Dapo Abiodun who was represented by Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Ganiu Hamzat, congratulated the new monarch, enjoining him to continue with the good work he has been doing which earned him the stool.

Abiodun however stated that the jurisdiction of the new king exists within the confines of Orile Imo, and there shall be no extension of domain for him to exercise his power as a monarch in the state.

Abiodun further urged the people of the community to aid the new king with support and cooperation needed to engender development and growth to the community.

The governor’s speech reads in part: “Traditional institutions and leadership must be properly positioned as it serves as the bridge between the people at the grassroot and the government.

“This is the reason proper decision has to be taken in the filling of vacant stool.

“Therefore the installation of Oba Oluwanbe Sogaolu, today, marks another symbolic step in the right direction.

“On behalf of the people of Orile Imo, I want to congratulate Oba Alake of Egbaland on his prominent role in the selection of Oba Sogaolu.

“Let me use this opportunity to charge our new kabiesi, that his appointment as the new king of Orile Imo, you have become the royal custodian of culture and tradition of Orile Imo. Your loyalty to Oba Alake of Egbaland should be unflinching.

“For record purpose, that as a coronet Oba, I want to use this opportunity to impress upon you that your domain does not extend beyond Orile Imo.

“Kabiesi Alayeluwa, more than ever, you should continue to champion all efforts that will enhance peaceful co-existence with other royal father’s in Egbaland, in order to justify the mandate and trust imposed in you by the Ogun State Government and the good people of Orile Imo.

“I also wish to enjoin the good people of Orile Imo to give the new kabiyesi all the support and cooperation he needs to bring about sustainable development of Orile Imo.

“It is therefore with a sense of duty that I today, present to Oba Oluwanbe Mofolorunsho Reuben Sogaolu the staff of office as the Olu of Orile Imo, while also committing Alayeluwa reign to the hands of Almighty God.”

…Be magnanimous in victory, rule with passion – Amb. ogunsola urges Olu of Orile Imo

Also speaking at the installation ceremony, the Local Government Chairman of Obafemi Owode, Honourable Amb. Ogunsola Adesina congratulated the newly installed king, extending regards to the people of Orile Imo for orderliness and corporation through the section process and the installation ceremony.

“Also, my warmest greetings to the good people of Orile-Imo for their maturity and orderliness displayed during this period, I prayed that the reign of the Oba-Elect Chief Reuben Oluwanbe Sogaolu brings peace to the entire people of Orile-Imo and its environs.

“On this note, let me reiterate that the process that led to the Oba-Elect are done in accordance with Ogun state year 2021 Chieftaincy Law.

“Once again, I congratulate the Oba-Elect Chief Reuben Oluwanbe Sogaolu and also implored him to be magnanimous in victory and also rule with passion, I pray that your reign brings peace and developments to the entire Orile-Imo and Obafemi-Owode Local Government at large.”

…Alake reels out crucial interventions, urges continuity

Osi of Egbaland, representing Alake of Egbaland, Chief Bode Mustapha, the latest king, Oluwanbe Reuben Sogaolu, second Olu of Orile Imo, on behalf of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, recounted the interventions do the new king which became paramount in his selection.

“I thank the Governor of Ogun State for approving the appointment of royal Highness of Oba Sogaolu Reuben of Orile Imo, who has been a part of the development and growth of the community.

“He is a man who thinks, talks and works for the overall development of the community. Oba Sogaolu started construction of a public toilet in 2001. He went on with supplying books and writing materials to secondary schools in the community, he worked with progressive minds to bring electrification to Orile Imo, he also partnered to engender development and employment for youths.

He also joined to bring about the development of Orile Imo High School.

“I must say congratulations to Orile Imo and the people who have selected Oba Reuben As the king of Orile Imo.”

…Full Speech of Acceptance Of Staff of Office by Second Olu or Orile Imo, Oba Reuben Sogaolu

“It is simply proper and fitting to start this short acceptance speech on a note of gratitude to the Almighty God, the giver and sustainer of life, in whom I live, move and have my being. To Him alone be all the glory now and forever. Amen

“Words are not enough to express my gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, for the utmost confidence he has reposed in me through his approval of my candidacy for the exalted stool of the Olu of Orile-Imo which has just been sealed with today’s installation and giving of the staff of office.

“I cannot but thank immensely my father, the paramount ruler of Egba land, His Majesty, the Alayeluwa Oba (Dr) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR Okukenu iv, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egba Land and all members of the Egba Traditional Council that elected me to the stool of Olu of Orile- Imo which I have accepted in writing and now publicly accept with all my heart. I thank you sirs for this great honour.

“I thank all the people of Orile-Imo community young and old, particularly the youths, for the steady support they have accorded me since the beginning of the long journey that has today ended in success. I promise I will not disappoint you.

“I want to say unequivocally that today’s occasion is not about me, your new Kabiyesi, the Olu of Orile-Imo, legitimately elected, authoritatively approved and publicly presented and installed; rather, it is about the actualization of the dream of the progressive sons and daughters of Orile- Imo Community to make the land of our birth into a place of pride in Ogun State; it is about the future of our children in their different cadres; it is about purposeful leadership that will take our community to the next level and guarantee a glorious future for all our children. These are the shared visions that motivated my contest for the office and job of the Oba of our great community. It is great already, we have to make it greater together. This is the clarion call I’m here to answer.

“Permit me to borrow the words of our president, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and say that I asked for the job and I have been offered. I hereby publicly declare my acceptance of the offer. I promise the governor, our paramount ruler, HRM Alaiyeluwa Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Egba Traditional Council, the chiefs and people of our villages and settlements that comprise the Orile-Imo kingdom, and the progressive sons and daughters of our land that have kept the vision of rapid development with me, that I will do my best under God to keep the mandate given sacrosanct and deliver the goals.

“Today’s event would have been practically impossible without the support of my dear family and friends. I especially wish to thank my wife Folasade Funmilola Sogaolu and our children. I was encouraged all the way through the long processes of nomination, selection and approval. The entire Sogaolu family is amazing in their support of my desire to serve at the grassroots level. My many dear friends who have stood by me in this journey are too numerous to list, Thank you all and I love you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you.

“Meanwhile, today’s occasion should naturally put an end to the struggle and stiff competition of the past…years for the throne. It is now time for us all to jettison our differences and come together and work as one family to move our community forward. I believe service to the community was our collective motivation for offering ourselves for the leadership office and now we should work as a unified force to achieve great things.”

Thank you all for the honour of your presence, goodwill and all-round support.

“Thanks and God bless you all.