By Lekan Adejuwon
The acient town of Ipoti Ekiti in the Irede LCDA was in festive mood yesterday when the royal father of the community HRM Oba James Oladipupo Kolade hosted members of Majority Oba in Ekitiland (MOBEL) in his palace as part of activities marking his tenth coronation anniversary.
The colourful event held at the reception hall of his palatial palace was graced by over 80 traditional rulers under the aegis of MOBEL who converged in Ipoti to share the joyous moment with one of their own.
The weeklong program which commenced on Monday 16th with various activities will run to a close on Saturday with a N100m development fund raising for the community.
In a chat with EKITI STANDARD the Chief host, Oba Kolade disclosed that he shifted his tenth coronation anniversary to October a time which he normally host MOBEL for him to have a combined celebration.
“I was crowned as Olupoti on June 26, 2013 which means I clocked ten year on the throne since June. I now decided that if I’m hosting MOBEL, then, I will carry my tenth year anniversary along. So, it is going to be a week program. I came on board in 2013. The last time I hosted them was 2016 and this is the second time”
Overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from his subjects, an elated Olupoti expressed gratitude to his people for being the pillars of his successful reign in the past ten years.
His words; “My people are always in solidarity with me. They abide with the principle of “Ohun kan” (One voice) in all what they do since I came on board and this is replicated in what has happened today. They turned out enmass and that is the usual way. Some of my children in the diaspora are always on ground to make everything successful and they are known for unity, that is what they used as their slogan especially the women, they believe in that word Unity”
Speaking in similar vein, the secretary of MOBEL and Onikun of Ikun Ekiti HRM, Oba David Olusola Olatunde described the occasion as impressive saying that the unity of members of MOBEL was clearly demonstrated by their large turn out.
He said; “Today’s meeting of MOBEL is very successful. It is a very great day with Kabiesi Olupoti, Oba James Oladipupo Kolade who is currently hosting majority of Obas in Ekitiland and we are able to meet his people, I mean almost the entire
Members of his community. He has a very solid support base, women and men, the chiefs, the young and the old. It is a day of celebration and we pray and wish the celebrant more grace and glory in his endeavors”.
For the royal father of Itapa Ekiti, Owatapa HRM Oba (Dr) Makanjuola Ajaja the event was simply scintillating
“The occasion today without mincing words, is great, fantastic, scintillating. It is punctuated with joy throughout. The celebrant today, the Olupoti of ipoti if you will understand the meaning of the word ‘good’- Olupoti is a good man, the man of the people and an embodiment of joy, happiness and progress. I wish him long life, devoid of illness, devoid of problems either personal or outside his domain and if it rises from within, the army of God shall crush them”. He concluded
