- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
When George Elliot, the famous English novelist in one his memorable works wrote; “A man is a man, but when you see a king, you see the work of many thousands men”.
Little did he futuristically envisaged a charming Captain from Akegun lineage of Okemesi 8n the heart of Ekiti West Local Government, the of the moment and the giant tree that shakes the jungle, Chief (Capt.) Olubisi Emmanuel Oyedeji, who mounted the seat of his forefathers as the new Baba Owa of Okemesi-Ekiti.
As encomiums from unprecedented crowd of residents and visitors continue to poured in torrents at the climax of a two weeks-long activities marking the installation of a renowned captain, Chief Olubisi Emmanuel Oyedeji as the new Baba Owa of Okemesi-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state ended on Saturday June 1st, 2024 with a superlative grand ceremony in Okemesi community.
The event which began on Monday, May 20, 2024 with an 8-days Seclusion at the Akodi Akegun dynasty of Ijana in Okemesi-Ekiti, was followed with “Igberuku Oye” on Friday 31st and the final outing – “Idupeye” was observed on the June 1st, 2024.
Performing the installation ceremony while presenting the staff office to Chief Oyedeji, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji, JP, CON, hailed the new Baba Owa for the successful installation rites.
He said the official installation signified the final phase of the 8-Days Seclusion and the installation processes of the new Chief.
Oba Adedeji enjoined the Akegun dynasty and other indigens of Okemesi community home and diaspora to cooperate with the new Chief for the development of the town.
He described respect for the traditional institution as one of the cherished values in Okemesi and Yorubaland promising to always hold traditional ruler in high esteem and honour our cultural heritage.
Speaking with TopNews Crew after receiving his staff of office, Chief Olubisi Oyedeji thanked the monarch and the people of Okemesi community especially the Akegun dynasty for their supports before, during and after his installation as Baba Owa of Okemesi.
The new Baba Owa pledged his readiness to ensure that peace continue to reigns in his domain, work together with other traditional Chiefs and rally his people for the development of their hometown.
In a separate interview, the Lejua of Okemesi-Ekiti, Chief Ishola Fapohunda congratulated the celebrant. He urged him to see his appointment and installation as God ordained and as challenging responsibility to ensure that the hope and aspirations of his subjects for meaningful development are realized.
The London trained lawyer described the installation of Baba Owa as a round peg in a round hole considering his wealth of experience as a captain and an administrator over the years.
Others who spoke with newsmen including friends, families, colleagues, associates and residents of the community lauded the Owa-Ooye and Owa-Ooye-In-Council and Akegun descendants for the choice of the new Baba Owa whom they described a right person in a right position.
- His Early Life:
Chief (Capt.) Olubisi Emmanuel Oyedeji was born over 62 years ago, to the family of the late Baba Owa of Akegun’s dynasty of Okemesi-Ekiti.
Chief Baba Owa who attended Primary l Local Authority Primary School Okemesi in 1968, later joined Okemesi Anglican Grammar in 1978 and completed his Secondary Cchool in 1983, all in Okemesi-Ekiti.
- Work Experience:
He made efforts to join Nigerian Navy same year as Officer Cadet but couldn’t succeed, this made him to briefly joined the service of National Library of Nigeria in February 1984.
Because of his passion for the Navy, he left National Library October 1985 to Federal School of Fisheries and Marine Technology to study NAUTICAL SCIENCE and completed in 1988 thinking he would join the Navy after the course because he had Naval personnel among his lecturers but could not join because, whe
