By Damola Emmanuel
All roads lead to Erinmo Ijesa in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, tomorrow, Sunday, March 27, 2022, where the town’s paramount ruler, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II, will celebrate his birthday
Though the event is primarily to celebrate his added year and the beginning of a new age, a release by the media unit of the palace said it would be a double celebration as the wide-travelled Royal Father would also be thanking God for the peace and unparalleled progress his reign has brought to the scenic agrarian town since his installation as the Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa on August 6, 2014.
An international businessman, and pioneer Director-General of the Ghana-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Oba Ajayi was appointed Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa, President of the Ijesa North Traditional Council, as well as the Chairman, Oriade Local Government Cheiftaincy Committee, by the Rauf Aregbesola Administration on July 25, 2014.
An erudite scholar with a vast array of awards and some Honorary PhD degrees as icing on his royal cake, Oba Ajayi hit the ground running using his vast network to bring development to the town known for agriculture and tourism.
A widely respected economic strategist, the Elerinmo, on mounting the throne of his forebears, made some drastic changes in his palace administration in sync with modern realities. He did this, and many other things that impact positively Erinmo. Major among these included making the environment more conducive for agriculture, trade and tourism, his focal areas, designing and executing community social programmes, children Christmas party, and activities making Erinmo a tourist delight through existing cultural festivals.
These attributes endeared him to the 51st Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adéyeyè Enitan Ògúnwùsì (Òjájá II), who, Oba Ajayi, said has stood by him like the Biblical Rock of Gibraltar.
According to the release by the palace, Oba Dr. Ajayi will mark the day with a special thanksgiving service at the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Erinmo District Headquarters, starting from 10 a.m. And immediately after the church service, a grand reception will hold at the Arowotawaya Royal Courtyard along Oba Arowotawaya Road, Erinmo.
Oba Ajayi who organizes an annual Christian Crusade to celebrate God told The Crest that he can “never celebrate anything outside God Almighty, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords because He is the very centre of my life.”
Profile
His Royal Majesty ,Oba (Dr) Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II, became the Elerinmo of Erinmo, the ancient historical town in Oriade LGA of Osun State who are direct descendants of the 3rd and 5th Ooni of Ife, Obalufon Alayemore, after a sterling career in the organized private sector.
During his corporate world odyssey, which started with the Unilever Group, then Nigeria’s largest multi-national conglomerate, UAC of Nigeria Plc and spanned about a decade, he later joined the German Pharmaceutical giant, Nigeria German Chemicals Plc (Hoescht), as Head of Consumer Healthcare, where he personally relaunched major popular pharma/household brands like Abidec; Benylin Cough Syrup; Novalgin; Parazone bleach etc.
He was seconded to Ghana to head the West African operations as Managing Director of AH Tradelink (a West African Pharmaceuticals distribution Company). He later became the expatriate Executive Vice President of a US-owned Pharmaceutical manufacturing giant, Phyto Riker, exporting generic pharmaceutical products to over 20 African countries. After leaving paid employment, he set up a Management Consultancy firm also importing for distribution of pan-West African branded medical devices. He would later become the founding Director General of the Ghana-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the Founding President of the Forum of Nigerian Professionals in Ghana.
An alumnus of Bishop Smith Memorial Primary School, Ilorin, and Command Secondary School, Lagos, Oba Ajayi got his first degree in Sociology with Accounting and Business Administration as minor from the University of Ilorin in 1987, at the age of 20. He got his MBA in Marketing with first class distinction from Lagos State University in 1998, and a Hon PhD in Commerce in 2014.
A member of the board of Trustees of the Yoruba Oodua Union, the Royal Father is also on the board of Trustees of the Nigeria-US Trade Council, and patron for several other notable socio-cultural, socio-economic and youth organisations.
Oba Odunayo Ajayi is well travelled, locally and internationally, having traversed several countries of the world. He is a multiple award winner from different sectors, locally and internationally, becoming the first Nigerian monarch to be a guest at the opening bell of the world acclaimed financial headquarters, the New York Stock Exchange, in April 2017.
A winner of numerous awards worldwide, Oba Arowotawaya II has written and published five books till date and was crowned king on Tuesday 29th of July 2014. His Oba Arowotawaya Foundation has offered full scholarships to brilliant but indigent students in his domain while the vocational school he introduced gives free training to equip hundreds of youths and women with practical skills for their empowerment.
