The long Obaship tussle in Orile Imo, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Government Area of Ogun State ended on Thursday with the installation and presentation of staff of office to Oba Oluwambe Mofolorunsho Sogaolu yesterday.
The last Olu of Orile was Oba Kolawole Mathew Olubiyi, who joined his ancestors on July 28, 2018.
Orile-Imo, the homestead of Imo-Egba people has in recent time become the industrial capital of Egbaland with many sprawling industrial estates.
Presenting the staff of office to the new Olu of Orile Imo, Ogun State Governor Pribce Dapo Abiodun rejoices with the Imo people for the calibre of their new monarch.
Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon.Ganiyu Oladunjoye Hamzat, the governor urged Imo people to cooperate with their new monarch in the further development of the town.
Governor Abiodun also charged the new monarch to continually champion all efforts that could enhance peaceful co-existence with other royal fathers in Egbaland.
He commended the people of Orile Imo for maintaining peace and tranquillity during the period when the stool of Olu of Orile Imo was vacant.
The governor said this clearly portrayed that the Imo people were a peace-loving people that have put the interest of their community above personal interest.
According to him, the installation ceremony was another demonstration of his administration's unrelenting determination and commitment towards ensuring that the state takes its rightful position in the comity of states.
"We realise the fact that traditional institution and its leadership must be properly positioned as it serves as a bridge between the people at the grassroots and the government.
According to him, the installation of Oba Oluwambe Sogaolu marked another symbolic step in the right direction.
The governor also commended the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland for his fatherly role towards the appointment of Oba Sogaolu.
"Based on good gesture, Egbaland has in no small measure been transformed and given a new lease of status. Kabiyesi, may your reign continue to usher in good tidings for Egba in particular and Ogun State in general", the governor prayed.
The Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, thanked the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for approving the appointment of Oba Oluwambe Mofolorunso Sogaolu.
The apex Egba monarch represented by Chief Bode Mustapha, the Osi of Egba, recalled the developmental efforts of the new monarch to Orile Imo, his immediate community in the past and urged him not to relent.
Oba Gbadebo, expressed delight that the new Olu of Orile Imo had been part of the growth and development of his immediate community.
"Today, Orile Imo is lucky to have as their king, a man who has the best interest of his community at heart. A man who thinks, thought, seeks and works for the development of his rural community".
Oba Gbadebo said Oba Sogaolu started his developmental stride with the construction of a modern toilet in his primary school long before he showed interest in the royal stool.
"He went on in 2001 to start a youth development and empowerment programme which is still operational till today with the supply of books and writing materials to all the children of four public schools in his community among other charitable things that would help youths in the community".
Aside this, the Alake said Oba Sogaolu worked with progressive minds to bring electricity to Orile Imo as well as played significant role in the upgrading of Orile Imo to an Obaship position in 2012
In his acceptance speech, Oba Sogaolu pledged his absolute loyalty and commitment to his domain.
While soliciting the supports of his subjects, the new monarch also promised to make Orile Imo greater.
"Orile Imo, our dear community is great already, we have to make it greater together. This is the clarion call I'm here to answer"
" I have accepted the responsibility as a great honour with all my heart, I promise I will not disappoint you", he said.
Oba Sogaolu solicited the supports of those with whom he contested the throne, saying "today's occassion should naturally put an end to the struggle and stiff competition of the past years for the throne. It is now time for us all to jettison our differences and come together and work as one family to move our community forwards"
"I want to say unequivocally that today's occassion is not about me, your new Kabiyesi, the Olu of Orile Imo, legitimately elected, authoritatively approved and publicly presented and installed"
The new monarch continued: "rather, it is about the actualization of the dream of the progressive sons and daughters of Orile Imo to make the land of our birth into a place of pride in Ogun State.
"It is about the future of our children in their different cadres; it is about purposeful leadership that will take our community to the next level and guarantee a glorious future for all our children.
"These are the shared visions that motivated my contest for the office and job of the Oba of our great community", he concluded.
The ceremony was witnessed by sons and daughters of Orile Imo as well as other Egba chiefs and other dignitaries among whom are Chief Tokunbo Odebunmi, Chief Yinka Kufile, Aro Egba and Oluwo Ijemo
Others were Chief Tajudeen Oladeinde, Amona Baroyin of Egbaland, Chairman of Obafemi/Owode Local Government, Amb. Adesina Ogunsola Alhaji Najeem Jimoh, Dr. Babalola, Chief Isiaka Adesanya, among several other people
The installation was also witnessed by cultural groups, Oloroguns, Ologbonis, market men and women.