•Oba ABDULWASIU ADEMOLA SOBOWALE
On Saturday 24th November 2018 at the Aiyepe Comprehensive High School, Aiyepe Ijebu HRH Alaiyeluwa, Oba Abdul Wasiu Adewale Sobowale was installed as the new Olowu of Odolowu, Aiyepe Ijebu by His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Below is his acceptance speech.
“All praises to the Almighty Allah for the privilege of today and more importantly the opportunity to serve humanity as I humbly accept the wishes of the Odolowu children and Aiyepe-Ijebu Indigents in general to ascend the royal throne of our fore fathers as the Olowu of Odolowu, Aiyepe-Ijebu, Ogun State. As the name of the town implies, “s’oju Aiye ne pe si’bi yi” as history is being made.
My utmost gratitude and appreciation go to the Almighty Allah, not just for the sustenance of life, but of good health and blessings for this day. I pray HE (Almighty Allah) continues to uphold his blessings on all and sundry in Aiyepe Town and its environs. This journey started some years ago, but today the vision has become a reality; to God be all the glory.
I want to commend and thank, sincerely, the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of his Excellency, the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for the role played for this day to be actualized. I want to specifically thank your Excellency for the gracious approval of my nomination as the Olowu of Odoluwo Kingdom, Aiyepe-Ijebu. I humbly accept the staff of Office presented to me today, which shall be dedicated to correctly direct affairs of our people.
Without mincing words, I am highly thankful and grateful to our Royal father, the Alaiyeluwa Kabiyesi, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, for the expedite endorsement of my nomination, and the unflinching support for this day to come to fruition.
Your fatherly role and the faith you reposed in me are highly appreciated and shall remain a source of guide in serving our people.
In same breath, I want to thank members of the Ijebu Traditional Council, the Owu Descendants Union and my brothers and fellow Obas in Aiyepe-Ijebu for their conduct, brotherly counsel and relationship from the period of nomination till this day. I am highly grateful and appreciate the support you have shown.
My appreciation shall not be complete without recognizing my source the Sogbesan-Odupelu ruling house for finding me worthy of nomination to ascend this throne; the Kingmakers of Odolowu and the generality of the Odolowu people for the acceptance and presentation of my nomination for appropriate endorsement and approval; and key prominent figures of Aiyepe town for their unflinching support and contributions towards the realization of today. For specific mention, the Regent of Odolowu, Alhaji Chief S.M. Shittu, the Baba Adinnin of Aiyepe; the Olotu of Odolowu, Alhaji M.O. Kasunmu (Baba 94); Chief Ganiu Kayode Sadiq, the Asiwaju of Aiyepe, Mr. Abiodun Shobanjo.
In furtherance of my acceptance to serve and lead, let me recall our collective memories that, there are six (6) quarters in Aiyepe-Ijebu town, namely; Aba, Afo, Idobiri, Idobisanwa, Ilakan and Odolowu quarters. These quarters have been so constructed to drive the developmental growth of our township. My commitment towards achieving of this objective remains absolute; hence I solicit the support of everyone of us to drive this common objective of development viz good road, potable water supply, primary health care service, adequate security, quality education, youth empowerment/skill acquisition, human capacity enhancement, agriculture (mechanized and subsistence farming) and general community development towards reduction of urban drift.
As the Olowu of Odolowu, these development objectives are so much dear to my heart, so as to bringabout an requisite environment for business to thrive and flourish. The peopleof Aiyepe-Ijebu are known to be intelligent and industrious. With this expression, we need to create a platform for new business networking, sustain existing ones, and revive the ones that are dormant. We must embrace anddevelop our town, Aiyepe-Ijebu together; as a frontier within the Ijebu Kingdom. We must live up to expectations.
On this note, “Come let us reason together” and move towards a common goal that would uphold the vision and mission of our town. Aiyepe is our home irrespective of color, religion, gender and perception; we must come together in all ramifications.
With my broad spectrum in business, politics, social-cultural terrain and travel exposure, these bring to bare in my royal domain and Aiyepe at large.
We must embrace Peace, Unity and Love.
Thank you all and God Bless. God Bless Odolowu, Aiyepe. God Bless Odogbolu Local Government. God Bless Ogun State. God Bless Nigeria.
