High Chief Adeleke Oluwadairo has promised to make the unity of Egba people and their economic emancipation his focus just as he was conferred with the title of OGBOYE of Egbaland by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III
The conferment ceremony took place on Tuesday November 18 as part of activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Oba Gbadebo on the throne.
It will be recalled that Oba Gbadebo was crowned as the 10th Alake of Abeokuta and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland on November 19, 2005.
Conferment ceremony
Chief Oluwadairo’s wife, Chief (Mrs.) Regina Oluwafisayo Oluwadairo was also installed as the new Erelu-Ogboye of Egbaland at the ceremony.
Other notable indigenes of Egbaland at home and in the diaspora were also conferred with different traditional and chieftaincy titles in recognition of their contributions to the development of their various communities
Ogboye’s acceptance speech
In his acceptance speech, the newly installed Ogboye of Egbaland, High Chief Dr. Samuel Adeleke Oluwadairo expressed gratitude to the Alake for his fatherly advice and for considering him worthy of such a ‘big title’.
He acknowledged and thanked his family members and friends, at home and in the diaspora for their unflinching support for the investiture while stating that the title of Ogboye of Egbaland is not just an ordinary title but one that comes with a lot of responsibilities and commitments.
His words, “I feel so honoured, privileged and excited for being installed as the new Ogboye of Egbaland. This is a call to service and I am prepared, by the grace of God to live up to the expectations of our highly revered Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, Shokenu IV, the people of Abeokuta and Egbaland.
“I will work towards fostering peace and unity amongst the people. I will also initiate and execute empowerment projects that will enhance economic prosperity for our people”.
He then prayed for many years of reign for the Alake that will witness progress, peace, unity and rapid socioeconomic development for Abeokuta and Egbaland.
Erelu Ogboye
On her part, the newly installed Erelu-Ogboye, Chief (Mrs.) Regina Oluwafisayo Oluwadairo expressed delight for the new title.
She promised to combine her new role with her initial title of Seriki Iya-Abiye of Egbaland to continue to impact more children. She.also promised to assist her husband to succeed in his new role as Ogboye of Egbaland.
About the title
Traditionally and statutorily, the Ogboye of Egbaland is one of the top ranked Egba Traditional Chieftaincy titles, approved by the state government and whose recipient sits with Alake-in-Council to administer the entire Egba Kingdom.
The conferment ceremony witnessed a large turnout of the top hierarchy of Egba Obas, titled chiefs, government functionaries, politicians and business moguls within and beyond Egbaland.
Performing the formal conferment ceremony, Oba Gbadebo prayed for divine wisdom and vision for the newly installed chiefs in the discharge of their statutory roles and functions, as members of Alake in Council. He also admonished them to be of good conduct and show leadership by example.