By Seyifunmi Odunuga
A call has gone to the people of Imasayi in the Yewa North Local Government area of Ogun State to join hands with the newly installed Oba Lukman Olalekan Adeleke Kuoye, Fcim., Ilufemiloye, Oyesokun V, the Olu of Imasayi Kingdom, with a view to take the ancient town to greater heights.
Oba Kuoye who gave this advice in his speech on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the coronation ceremony which took place at the Oluaso High School Playing Ground, Imasayi, urged the sons and daughters of the town to see his emergence as the Olu of Imasayi as a blessing towards the development of the town.
The event which was the peak of a week-long activity that has revitalised the ancient town with hope and enthusiasm was also coming after the conclusion of Oba Kuoye’s traditional seclusion and other rites (Ipebi).
Oba Kuoye who was full of joy described the occasion as the beginning of a new dawn in the history of Imasayiland, adding that his oppositions are already witnessing the needed transformation too.
His words, “People who have been visiting me since I ascended the throne would have observed the transformation which began from the palace. I will not relent in my efforts to bring about needed transformation by working assiduously with those who truly have the love of the town at heart, to rewrite the story of Imasayi and reposition it enviably.”
The monarch called on the indigenes of the town to wake up to the reality that they have the responsibility of working with the leadership of Imasayi to get desirable results, urging all and sundry to “rally round his kingship for the development of the town.
“This is the time we all must get up to work in unity and come together irrespective of our religious and political ethnic affiliation to build the Imasayi of our dreams.
“If truly we are interested in developing Imasayi, to take it out of the shackles of oppression, now that we have a new king on the stool of his forefathers, what we need to do is to come together to develop Imasayi”, Oba Kuoye charges.
Oba Kuoye equally assured youths in the community, whom according to him were instrumental to his ascension of equitable and fair leadership devoid of bias.
“As an administrator, social worker, rotarian, unionist – chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), NIMC Unit, Ogun State and Patron of some community development associations, is an attestation that God deliberately chose me to come and serve this town and use my wealth of experience for the growth of our land.”
Oba Kuoye described the agitation of some chiefs against his candidacy as unnecessary, insisting that his emergence had followed due process, saying, “the fact remains that, I have more than 95% of the entire people of Imasayi who arebased within and in the Diaspora.
“Distinguished Imasayi indigenes and residents, the era of shenanigans have come and gone, an Oba is now in place, I appeal to everyone of us in the interest of peace and community stability to steer clear of any act that can put the name of our town into disrepute.
“Fellow Omu Ajagidiagbos and residents, à áyá bé sÃlé, ó bé sà Ãsé ni o. I believe we all should be partakers in the development of the ancient town.”
Oba Lukman Olalekan Kuoye was born on April 18, 1970 at Ado-Odo to the family of Kuoye of Imasayi in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State. He attended St. Stephens Comprehensive High School, Ado Odo and Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos. He is currently undertaking his doctorate degree in social works at LASU.
He attended St. Stephens Comprehensive High School, Ado Odo and Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos. He is currently undertaking his doctorate degree in social works at LASU.
Oba Lukman Kuoye was once the Special Assistant to Governor Gbenga Daniel, Secretary, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government and Vice Chairman – Transition Committee, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government.
He is married and blessed with promising children.
The coronation ceremony witnessed the presence of royal fathers, government functionaries, captains of industries, media gurus among a host of others. They include Deputy Governor of the state, Chief (Mrs.) Noimot Salako- Oyedele, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Afolabi Afuwape, Hon. Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade, Prince Gboyega Nadir Isiaka among a host of others.
It would be recalled that some aggrieved residents of the community held a protest against the installation of the monarch, but observers of the scene were surprised to witness the event that featured hundreds of thousand of people who came from far and near to celebrate with the monarch.
Some members of the community interviewed at the event were of the opinion that it’s normal that some people would rise up against good things, saying, we thatnk God this coronation was a huge success and we pray for continued peace and transqulity in our community.
“But to a great surprise, residents, family, friends and well wishers came in their large number and in colorful attires, troop to the venue of the event to celebrated with the Oba Lukman Olalekan Kuoye on the occasion”, they posited.
