Prince (Looja) Clement Adesuyi Haastrup from the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, in Ilesa, and former Deputy Governor to ex-Governor Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke of Osun State of Nigeria, has emerged as the new Owa Obokun Ademula of Ijesaland.
Prince Haastrup will be succeeding late Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran as the 49th Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
The Owa Obokun-elect is said to have defeated nine other candidates in a peaceful selection process held Friday, December 27, 2024, at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat, in Ilesa. …CONTINUE READING
One of the prominent candidates is a deputy overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in the United States and the younger brother of Pastor Adeboye’s wife, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu.
The Kingmakers
It was gathered the kingmakers involved in the selection process included the six Iwora Mefa, namely: Obaala, High Chief Ibitoye; Ogboni of Ipole, Oba Omokehinde Oyeleye; Ogboni of Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye (Elegboro); Ogboni Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro; Ogboni Ilesa, High Chief Saka Fapohunda, Oba Odo of Ilesa.
Others in attendance are seven Agba Ijesa, including Risawe of Ilesa, High Chief Adefioye Adedeji; Lejoka of Ilesa, High Chief Omoniyi Ojo; Lejofi, High Chief Adebusoye Onigbogi; Arapate of Ilesa, High Chief Oluwagbemiga Fadunsin Igbaroo; Loro of Ilesa, High Chief Lekan Folorunso; Odole of Ilesa, High Chief Bola Orolugbagbe; and Mr. Abimbola Aluko, Warrant Officer representing the Saloro of Ilesa whose stool is vacant.
Announcing the result of the selection process, Mrs. Felicia Olabimtan, Head of Local Government Administration in Ilesa West Local Government Council, in Osun State, said Looja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup secured highest votes and emerged as the Owa Obokun-elect.
Mrs. Olabimtan also disclosed that six of the kingmakers voted, but High Chief Adefioye Adedeji was absent, seven others were not eligible.
Also speaking with reporters after the exercise in Ilesa, the Ogboni of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro and the Elegboro of Ijesaland, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, described the exercise as peaceful.
The royal fathers also congratulated the Looja Adesuyi Haastrup, the Owa-elect, and the entire Ijesas on the smooth beginning of a new era in Ijesaland.
Governor Adeleke approves Haastrup as new Owa Obokun
Meanwhile, following the Kingmakers’ selection of the new monarch Friday, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has approved the appointment of Prince Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland.
Governor Adeleke Friday, December 17, 2024, also approved the appointment of Prince Johnson Adekanmi Abikoye as the Asaoni of Ora Igbomina, another town in the state.
Kolapo Alimi, Honourable Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, in Osun State, disclosed this development in a statement issued Friday, in Osogbo, the state capital, said “the approval of the two monarchs was ratified and approved during the seating of the Osun State Executive Council Meeting”, presided over by Adeleke.
Alimi stated the “appointment of Prince Haastrup as the new Owa-elect was sequel to the demise of the immediate past Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II on September 11, 2024, while that of Prince Abikoye as the new Asaoni of Ora Igbomina followed the demise of Oba Tinuoye Atolagbe on the 19th of November, 2023.”
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment also noted that Adeleke, while congratulating the two newly-approved royal fathers, enjoined indigenes of the two towns to cooperate with their new traditional rulers, particularly in allowing peace and unity to take centre stage.
