By Damola Emmanuel
It is official. Come Saturday, August 10, 2024, former President Olusegun Obasanjo will lead other eminent Nigerians and dignitaries from other African countries to Erinmo-Ijesa, an agrarian town in Osun State, where the town’s paramount ruler, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II, will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of his ascending the throne of his forefathers.
The former President confirmed his attendance and accepted to be chairman at the grand finale of the week-long celebrations when the monarch and his Chiefs visited him in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, recently.
Obasanjo, who was elated at the progress Oba (Dr.) Michael Odunayo Ajayi has brought to the Kingdom in the past 10 years, eulogized the leadership qualities of the Elerinmo, wishing him many more years of fruitful and progressive administration in the Kingdom.
Juju music superstar, King Sunny Ade, has been slated to serenade guests at the event which will be attended by some Kings from some African countries. These include: King Mswati III, the Ngwenyama of Eswatini (formally Swaziland); the Zulu King, King Misuzulu KaZwelithini of South Africa, monarchs from Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.
On the home front, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, and the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, will lead other traditional rulers to Erinmo to celebrate the former President of the Nigeria-Ghana Chamber of Commerce-turned King.
Meanwhile, commercial and social activities are peaking as the biggest event since the town’s creation inches to kick-off day, Monday August 5. Already, Erinmo-Ijesa citizens, at home and in the diaspora, and across all social strata, are rounding up preparations to making the event a once-in-a-century epoch.
The week-long celebration would kick off on Monday, August 5, 2024, with the opening of the Erinmo Indigenous Trade Expo which will run from that day till the grand finale on August 11.
Same day, the popular Sapetu and Ejemu Women traditional and cultural group of Igbara-Oke, Ekiti State, will take the stage with traditional dances and cultural performances.
At another venue, on the same day, the town’s children will have a session with the Elerinmo via inter-schools debates, award of scholarships, as well as distribution of educational materials to schools in the domain.
It will be Widows Day on Tuesday, August 6th, as Oba Arowotawaya will give them palliatives to cushion the effects of the current harsh economic realities. The aged and disabled will also have their fair share of the palliatives that day, according to the release by the palace.
The same Tuesday, the monarch will release his empowerment packages for women, youth and farmers. Simultaneously, youths would have their carnival as the day is capped with the Oba Arowotawaya Beauty Pageant.
The anniversary’s focus shifts to health and wellness, on the third day, with a medical outreach, walk-to-live programme, and an inter-street football competition.
On Thursday, August 8, women take the centre stage again via a traditional dance by wives in the royal family, followed by a Christian music carnival later in the day, dubbed Unlimited Royal Praise.
On Friday, August 9, the event moves some notches higher with the conferment of Chieftaincy Titles to deserving Nigerians, the maiden Obalufon Royal Convention and premier of the film, ERINMO-Direct Descendants of Obalufon Alayemore. The day will be capped with a night of musical and cultural extravaganza. Of course, there will be a Special Jumat Service during the day.
The 10th Coronation Anniversary of Oba Arowotawaya peaks on Saturday, August 10, 2024, with a majestic royal Grand reception with King Sunny Ade serenading guests at the band stand.
The curtain will be officially drawn on the coronation anniversary on Sunday, August 11, with a church service.
