Jennifer Ugwueke
The newly selected and approved Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeleke Adefemi Adegbite-Adedoyin, has been crowned on Saturday.
The ceremony took place early on Saturday in line with over 700-year-old Ikare-Akoko tradition and customs having received due approval of the State Government as required by the laws.
Assembled at the Palace of Owa-Ale to perform the traditional rites and crowning of the new monarch, the kingmakers and traditional Chiefs of the Community, including the Olona of Ikare, High Chief Rafiu Okunade; the Olokoja of Okoja, High Chief Idowu Ogunye; the Oniku of Iku, High Chief Mukaila Bello; the Olowu of Okorun, High Chief Aderemi Olowu among others were in their full traditional regalia.
At the Owa-Ale’s Palace, Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin took turn to go into seclusion to change into different beaded crowns brought from Ile-Ife by the founder of Ikare, Owa-Ale Agbaode about year 1384.
Immediately after he was crowned, the new Owa-Ale addressed his excited subjects who filled the palace to capacity.
He promised to defend the interest of Ikare-Akoko for peaceful coexistence of all residents and rapid development of the kingdom as he commended the ongoing dualisation of Ikare township roads by the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration.
Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin succeeded his father, Oba Kolapo Adegbite-Adedoyin, who joined his ancestors in September, 2020.
Appreciating traditional rulers under the Ondo State Council of Obas for their support for the Owa-Ale dynasty during the demise of his father, the late Oba Kolapo Adegbite-Adedoyin, assured that the Ikare people would continue to champion development and peaceful coexistence in the State.
The Palace stated that the coronation ceremony of the monarch would hold at a later date for the social celebration.