By Editor
For HRM, Oba (Dr) Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi, the Obaleo of Erinmope Ekiti, Wednesday December 27, 2023 was a day like no other as his joy knew no bounds going by the massive support and solidarity offered by his subjects on the occasion of his second coronation anniversary.
Unlike the previous year’s celebration which was marked with funfare and festivities, this year’s event took another dimension as the Royal Father in conjunction with his Amoyinmade Foundation, touched the lives of Erinmope people in capacity building through presentation of scholarship/Bursary to undergraduates, equipment empowerment to artisans and cash donations to the aged.
In his keynote address, Oba Aniyi expressed gratitude to the people of the community for their love, support and encouragement since his ascension to the throne of his forefathers two years ago, saying he has never taken their kind gestures for granted.
He said it behoves on him to give back to the community which made him what he is today.
His words; “During my inauguration speech two years ago, I stated clearly and unequivocally that my coming on board was to banish poverty in our mist, to turn waste to wealth and lift many people from the shackles of lack to prosperity and that is why the gathering of today will not only focus on wining and dining alone, but give capacity and empowerment to our people through Amoyinmade Foundation ably supported by our friends and associates”
The empowerment scheme which covers the students, artisans and old people was further expatiated by the monarch;
“Because of the pivotal role of education as the bedrock of any meaningful achievements in life, we have carefully selected students of tertiary institutions in our community for scholarships and Bursary awards so as to help them in their educational pursuits in order to become better persons in the future. In the same vein we looked around and sampled the opinions of dressmakers in our mist to know the area of their needs and it was discovered that stoning machines was their major challenge which we equally made available today for the lucky winners.
“The aged people are not left behind as we have packaged cash gifts to alleviate their burdens. It is our plan to make this gesture a monthly affair with time because of our love and compassion for the elderly citizens in our mist” Oba Aniyi remarked.
The presentation was done by Elder S.O Kayode one of the Foundation’s patrons ably supported by the Kabiyesi’s Olori amidst music and cultural display by a youth entertainment troupe.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere became charged and electrified by the arrival of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II who stormed the Palace Square with his long motorcade and entourage.
The Ife monarch in a speech congratulated his host on the occasion of his second coronation anniversary praying for many years on the throne of his forefathers.
He spoke glowingly of the Obaleo as a cerebral and intellectually endowed king who is eminently qualified for the exalted stool of the ancient community.
He therefore urged the people to rally round the monarch so as to bring about a rapid development and transformation needed going forward.
The frontline Yoruba monarch used the occasion to establish the long history linking Obaleo to the House of Oduduwa in Ile ife where the day dawns, stating that all Yorubas irrespective of their domains has one ancestry in Ile Ife describing his visit to Erinmope as home coming.
