By Lekan Adejuwon
For Major General Odunayo Adeyemi Adetayo Rtd., yesterday was a unique day in his life as he made a triumphant entry into his native town of Ilawe after serving his nation for 38 years in the Nigerian army.
To this end, Ilawe community not only accorded him with a grand reception for his safe return home after serving his fatherland for that length of years without blemish, but the Alawe Oba Ajibade Alabi, the Afuntade1 conferred the retired General with a chieftaincy title of Ajagungbayi of Ilawe kingdom.
The occasion was also set aside to appreciate the landmarks community projects of the homeboy whose last posting was at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Center, Abuja.
Earlier, students of Oniwe High School in their uniforms organized a befitting welcome for the August visitors as they lined up the street from the open arcade leading to Alawe’s Palace to welcome the retired General with his beautiful wife, Deaconess Latoya Esther Adetayo and their entourage to the palace.
The couple were a delight to watch in their all-white apparells as they were ushered into the special podium with their entourage.
Prayers were said by the Christian faithful and a representative of traditional worshipper declaring the ceremony opened.
This follows a moment of tributes by selected people from the military, civilian and school mates of the celebrant who spoke glowingly about the General’s good virtues as an humble, loyal and straightforward person who has devoted 38 years of his life to serve the country meritoriously.
The occasion later assumed a celebration of culture and Ilawe tradition as women praise singers from General Adetayo’s family stole the show with powerful rendition of panegyric songs and dancing to the amusement of the guests.
They were immediately followed by cultural display by students of Oniwe High School in the same order.
The high point of the colourful event was the confernment of traditional title of Ajagungbayi of Ilawe to the retired military chief and his wife Chief Deaconess Latoya Esther Adetayo as Yeye Ajagungbayi of Ilawe kingdom.
Kabiyesi in his address rendered in Yoruba thanked God for sparing the life of the newly installed Chief after going through the ups and downs of the service as a military man and returned home in glory.
He listed some of the remarkable contributions of the installed Chief to Ilawe Community including single handedly built a befitting office complex for him and a block of 5 ultra modern class for Oniwe High School aside from providing jobs for many Ilawe youths amongst others.
Chief Adetayo in his acceptance speech thanked the monarch for the great honour noting that he is retired to be more involved in the development and progress of Ilawe.
Dignitaries at the colourful event included the newly promoted Deputy Inspector of Police, D.I.G Alabi, a retired AVM, Hon. Yemisi Ayokunle, former member, House of Assembly, royal father’s like the Atta of Ayede, the Onisinbode of Isinbode Ekiti, Chairman Ekiti south west Local Government, Alawe in Council led by High Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, Prof Akomolede, old students of Acquina’s Grammar School and a host of others.
