Obokun stool: New Osun monarch receives staff of office

The newly appointed Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, was officially presented with the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment on Sunday, marking the beginning of his reign in a ceremony graced by distinguished Nigerians from various sectors.

Oba Haastrup, who vowed to combat land grabbing in Ijesaland during his inaugural address, received the Staff from Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in the presence of eminent traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Adedotun, and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi.

The event, held at the entrance of Obokungbusi Town Hall, Ilesa, also saw the attendance of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, and Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa, Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe, among others.

Presenting the Staff and Instrument of Appointment, Governor Ademola Adeleke urged Oba Haastrup to “leverage his extensive experience and global network to foster development in Ijesaland.”

The governor also called on Ijesa indigenes to rally behind the monarch, pledging his administration’s commitment to enhancing development across Osun State, including Ijesaland.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Haastrup unveiled plans to establish a vocational school to train artisans aimed at boosting local production.

“The time for the contest is now over. Let us come together and unite to build a stronger and more prosperous future for all the people of Ijesaland. For me, there is ‘No Victor, No Vanquished!'” he declared.

He commended the resilience of Ijesa youths, assuring them that “a new dawn has come,” with initiatives set to ensure their productive engagement.

“There shall be a policy direction to promote economic growth in Ijesaland through agriculture and agro-allied industries, as well as supporting creative and strategic development ventures,” Oba Haastrup affirmed.

Declaring zero tolerance for land grabbing, the new monarch stated emphatically, “There shall be zero tolerance for land grabbing in my name and in the name of other persons, no matter how highly placed.”

Efforts, he said, would be directed towards establishing an Ijesa Technical Institute focused on artisan training, mirroring models in China and Ghana.

Following the presentation, the Owa Obokun Media Office announced that the monarch would commence seclusion for traditional rites, with his coronation ceremony to follow at a later date.

“While the official selection process which began on Friday, December 27th, has now been completed with the presentation of the Staff of Office, Oba Haastrup will immediately proceed to seclusion, where other traditional rites will be observed,” the statement read.

The office further disclosed that after the seclusion period, “a date for the elaborate coronation party, befitting of this first-class king who has previously served as Deputy Governor of the state, will be announced”