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Becomes New Olufon Of IFON
The whole of Ifon Orolu Kingdom in Osun State was thrown into a royal frenzy on Tuesday 15th February, 2024 as the ancient town gets a new Olufon.
It was a historic event marking the presentation of staff and Instrument of office to His Royal Majesty, Ìba Peter Oluwole Ipadeola Ilufemiloye, Akinyooye III by the state’s governor, Ademola Adeleke, ably represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde.
The new Olufon of Ifon Orolu Kingdom is a successful businessman, a notable independent marketer of petroleum products, and the immediate past president of the prestigious Ibadan Tennis Club.
The installation ceremony attracted top celebrities from government, business, social as well as traditional circles from within and beyond Osun State.
Some of the high flying celebrities who graced the occasion included a former member House of Reps, Hon. Bukola Oyewo, SA to Governor Adeleke on Transportation, Hon Moshood Yakubu, the honourable representing Orolu/Irepodun State Constituency, Hon. Adekunle Oladimeji, and several other government officials.
Also in attendance are the Aragbiji of Aragbiji, Oba AbdulRasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Alárà of Ara, Oba Dr. Olubayo Adesola Windapo, Onitafin of Orile Itafin, Oba Moruf Adebayo, Sàbi Gàná of Igànná, all Orolu lesser cities kings and Baales, Orolu Traditional Council of Chiefs, Leagues of Imam and Alfas, Christian Association of Nigeria, representatives of Ifon Progressive Union at home and national, and others too numerous to mention.
Speaking at the ceremony, the new Olufon expressed his gratitude to the governor, council of chiefs, all invited guests and the good people of the town for the honour bestowed upon him. He pledged to uphold the values and traditions of Ifon and to work tirelessly for the progress and development of his kingdom.
Oba Akinyooye also seek the cooperation of his subjects on his plans to transform Ifon Orolu Kingdom.
Akinyooye’s antecedents speak volumes to what he is capable of doing now that he has assumed a new leadership position. His record-breaking achievements as president of Ibadan Tennis Club is noteworthy.
Speaking with TheSun in one of his past interviews, the charismatic Akinyooye spoke on his plans to transform his community through sports.
He said, “Yes, I’m from Moronfolu Olaojo ruling house in Ifon Osun, Orolu Local Government Area of Osun State.
“I wish to transform that kingdom using sports whenever I get the opportunity, my plan is to replicate what we have been able to do here in my locality using my influence to attract investors that will complement whatever we plan to do there.
“Apart from being a President of Ibadan Tennis Club, I have represented Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on the board of Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF Management Board) representing the south which included the South/West, South/East and South/South in the early 2000s and I was part of the committee that constructed the IPMAN building in Odo-Ona Ibadan.”
According to him, part of his achievements as president of Ibadan Tennis Club included but not limited to construction of world class conveniences, modern perimeter fencing, mini in-house clinic with a doctor that adequately caters for emergencies.
Modern furniture at the main hall of the club, a power generating set to replace the old old one, introduction of automated entrance to the club and many more.
“We have increased the wired fence to prevent balls from getting overboard. We have also erected solar lights on the tennis court for people to play at night and improved the security of this environment. In terms of competition, we have improved the level of participation too,”he added.
He was able to record these achievements with the support of his EXCO and the cooperation of able members of the club through what he described as his five point-agenda.
Of course, all these and his past experiences are expected to be brought to bear on his new responsibility as a royal father and the 35th Olufon of Ifon Orolu Kingdom.
Akinyooye’s emergence is coming after over two years that the Olufon stool has been vacant as result of the passing of Oba Almorouf Adekunle Magbagbeola sometime in April, 2021 and a prolonged battle between the ruling houses. He defeated other contestants of the stool by scoring four out of the total seven votes of the kingmakers.
Oba Akinyooye emerged from the Morohunfolu royal family of the Olaojo ruling house of Ifon Osun in Orolu Local Government. After the state government, in resolving the crisis surrounding Olufon stool, had adopted the 1988 Olufon of Ifon Chieftaincy Declaration which allows a new monarch to emerge from one of thr two major ruling houses.
There are two major ruling houses in Ifon Orolu; the Olaojo and the Orisafi. The Olaojo ruling house is comprise of Moronfolu and Odunolu royal families who are brothers. Then the Orisafi ruling house which comprises Orisatoyinbo, Olumoyero and Oluyeyin royal families.
The immediate past Olufon late Oba Almaruf Magbagbeola emerged from Olumoyero royal family of the Orisafi ruling house.
-Dare Adeniran
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