The newly installed Iyalaje of Oduduwa Race worldwide (Iyalaje Oodua), Princess (Dr.) Toyin Kolade, on Saturday noted that she is not unaware of the huge responsibilities and roles attached to her latest status, promising to perform optimally towards wealth recreation as well as human development.

The Ilesa born business magnate cum philanthropist, who has been the global promoter of the popular Annual Aje Festival for about half a decade, gave the assurance at the ancient Ile Oodua Palace of The Ooni of Ife in Ile-Ife  before the Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, and a host of other top dignitaries including traditional rulers across Nigeria who took turns to pray for her.

“Through my close relationship with the Arole Oduduwa which I hold in a very high esteem, I have always been close to the traditional institution and I am glad to state that I have learnt a lot enough to last me a lifetime.

“Let me be specific now, my announcement in itself was done traditionally and that was the start of it all few months ago.

“Upon my entry on Thursday evening, I was received at Ilero spot at Iremo road, Ile-Ife by the cultural women (Obinrin Ilero) and the Ooni’s traditional aides (Emeses) where the opening rites were performed before we walked to the palace to pay traditional obeisance to the Arole Oodua before taken to the sacred Yeyemolu well for blessings.

“Today, Saturday 17th July 2021, we opened the day with a procession of Isoros and Iyalajes of different markets to the AJE temple at Oja Ife (Oja Ejigbomekun), where I joined them in company of Emeses, seven horses and my distinguished guests and well-wishers.

“Right there, I was dressed traditionally as the Iyalaje Oodua and fortified for the tasks ahead, after which we returned to the palace and we were received at the palace’s entrance (Enugeru) by Ife High-Chiefs who led me to the Temple of Wisdom (Ogun Laadin) within the palace courtyard for further blessings.

“Am happy to inform you that I got my installation leaves (Ewe Akoko) at the Temple of Wisdom, before being brought before my father; Arole Ile Oduduwa for formal pronouncement as the Iyalaje Oodua. I am so humbled and I promise that I shall justify the basis for my appointment and installation”, Iyalaje Oodua reassured

In his remarks, Ooni Ogunwusi who doubles as Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) revealed that the selection and installation was purely based on merit, especially because of the sensitivity of the title.

His words, “We exercised a lot of caution because Aje is a big deal in Oodua  land. It started here in Ile-Ife and then spread beyond, so we are reawakening its spirit particularly now that the economy is in a bad shape.

“Princess Toyin Kolade is a successful business woman who is prominent for spreading wealth through giving even from her personal earnings, this is one among several countless enviable human qualities upon which she is being installed today as the Iyalaje Oodua, Ooni Ogunwusi said

The event which was well attended by top dignitaries including the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who was represented by his Deputy, Edward Onoja, also had traditional rulers like Olubadan of Ibadan, Olowo of Owo, Alara of Ilara-Epe, Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, Oore of Otun Ekiti, Deji of Akure, Dein of Agbor in Delta state.

Prominent women, which included the wife of the Osun State Governor, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, Chief Mrs Olufunso Amosun, Erelu Abiola Dosumu, among others, were also in attendance.

The grand finale of the history-making event held in the 3,000 capacity Meeting Incentives Conference and Event (MICE) Centre branded ‘Ojaja Arena’ within the premises of the newly commissioned Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Park, where guests were entertained by the ace Fuji musician, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, popularly called K1 De Ultimate in the presence of other dignitaries like Aare OnaKakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Basorun Dele Momodu among others.

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The monarchs noted that it was the proceed of agriculture that was used to develop the region in the first republic and pre- independence days, while cautioning politicians to stop doling out motorcycles to youths, but instead, encourage them to go to farm so as to save agriculture from extinction in the region.

The custodian of culture gave the charge on Tuesday at the 30th Annual South-West Research Extension Farmers Input Linkage Systems (REFILS), Workshop organized by Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan.

Speaking at the event, Oba Ogunwusi said, “we need to talk to ourself, Hausas are not fool, the beans, pepper, tomatoes we are eating are from North, even the cattle they are using it to disturb us is from North. What do we have, we have agriculture and research here. Don’t let them die down. We want this to be done in all the state, our billionaires, let us beg them to support agriculture and research. These are the things we have now.

Ooni continued, “in abroad, the government support research, but now there is nothing like that. We need to support agriculture and research, these are the two things left.

Commenting, Oba Adetunji who was represented by the Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Amidu Ajibade and Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi represented by Oba Adebisi Layade, Alara Oodaye of Araland Ife, admonished those at the realm of affairs in the region to support agriculture and research as one of the two things remaining for people of the region the way it is being supported in developed countries.

Oba Adetunji stressed, “you said graduates are riding Okadas, this is because there is no love. They should stop buying Okada for our youths, tell them to stop that.

“I asked if this institution is getting support from Federal government, they said no, those who suppose to do that are not doing it.

“Our governors must support agriculture and research to prevent them from extinction. Now, all state governments need to stand up and develop agriculture.

“You need to meet traditional rulers and governments to ensure that things get better. If you get to North, they help themselves. It is bad that Yorubas don’t help themselves, look at what the North is going.

“We in Yorubaland, especially in Oyo State, we are usually the first, but now it is like we are backward because those who suppose to support agriculture are not doing so.

“You that are on the top, you don’t help your younger ones, it is important for you to help because most of you that are retiring, you don’t look back at those who succeed you, the other tribes help themselves, this cause the backwardness in Yorubaland.

“Those who you send to Abuja as representatives, most of them are looking for money to fill their own pockets”, Oba Adetunji lamented.

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