Posted by From Toba Suleiman in Abeokuta on
President Olusegun Obasanjo at the weekend paid traditional homage to the new Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo at Ipebi in Abeokuta, where the monarch was to observe his three months confinement preparatory to his formal installation.
President Olusegun Obasanjo at the weekend paid traditional homage to the new Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo at Ipebi in Abeokuta, where the monarch was to observe his three months confinement preparatory to his formal installation.
The president who came for the first time a week after Oba Gbadebo had begun the process, paid a similar visit to the Owu monarch, the Olowu of Owu, Oba Dosunmu who would complete his three months stay at Ipebi soon.
Accompanied by Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State,, Obasanjo in his speech at Ake Palace, seat of the monarch, preached peace, unity and cooperation among Egba people.
Obasanjo who dwelled much on the need to cooperate with the obas, said only through a conducive environment could Egbaland develop.
He said he foresaw the dawn of a new, progressive and developed Egba kingdom under the leaderships of the two royal fathers.
Speaking glowingly about the new Oba, Obasanjo described him, as a gallant, disciplined and intelligent military officer while in service.
In his humorous characteristic said jokingly that like me, I hope you are also aware that the Oba-elect still had remnants of the past military injections haboured in his body.
He said however that he knew that under the new Alake of Egbaland, there would be no problem. His time would bring peace, harmony and development to the entire community of Egbaland. In his response, Oba Gbadebo said he was extremely delighted for the visit of the president to the palace.
â??I am happy to see the number citizen of Nigeria, in the person of President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo here at the palace.
According to him, despite his (Obasanjoâ??s) tight scheduled, he still found time to visit him,
describing the step as a mark of honour for him as the 10th Alake of Egbaland.
He described Obasanjo as one of the few visionary and patriotic leaders in the country whose past record of achievements have not been surpassed.