In an effort to ensure quality education in his domain, Erinmo, and to encourage brilliant students who have the potentials to embark on Higher education, the Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa, Oba (Dr) Michael Adeagbo Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II has paid the JAMB registration fees of all Erinmo students in SS3 at the Erinmo Grammar School.
The Elerinmo, ahead of his 10th Coronation Anniversary, decided to offset the JAMB registration fees for the indigent students in furtherance of his support and love for education.
Speaking at the ceremony, Oba Arowotawaya told the students that education is the bedrock of any profession they wish to pursue, and that it would not be enough for them to sit at the examination hall, but to listen to the JAMB officials that have come to acquaint them with the processes with rapt attention and use the advantage for their benefit.
The Elerinmo, therefore, expressed hope that the beneficiaries would reward Erinmo town by preparing adequately for the examination and have outstanding results.
The traditional ruler congratulated the students and wished them the best in their academic pursuit while charging them to utilize the opportunity given to them well.
The distinguished traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) Michael Adeagbo Odunayo Ajayi JP, Arowotawaya II became the Elerinmo of Erinmoland, an ancient historical town in Oriade LGA of Osun state (known for its spiritually potent mountains) in July 2014.
Oba Arowotawaya II is a direct descendant of the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Ooni of ife, Obalufon Ogbogbodirin, and his son Obalufon Alayemore (who was the first King to wear the reverred Ade Aare (Aare Crown now worn by all Oonis) in Ile-Ife and the one who introduced beads wearing for royals). Oba Ajayi hails from two royal lineages in Erinmo, namely: the Arowotawaya and Oboye Lekan Royal Ruling dynasties.
He had a sterling career in the organized private sector internationally spanning almost three decades.
He was appointed the founding Director General of the Ghana-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was the Founding President of the Forum of Nigerian Professionals and Business Executives in Ghana.
An alumnus of Bishop Smith Memorial Primary School, Ilorin, Government College, Ilorin, and Command Secondary School, Lagos, he has a first degree in Sociology with Accounting & Business Admin as minor obtained from the University of Ilorin at the age of 20; an MBA in Marketing with first class distinction from Lagos State University in 1998 and was awarded a Honourary PhD degree in Commerce in 2014.
His late father, Prince Dr Joseph Olubowale Ajayi, was the shining icon of his town, being the first university graduate in Erinmo and its environment. And for his remarkable support for youth development through employment and his several community development initiatives, he was honoured as the first (and till date the only) Asiwaju of Erinmoland.
He is the National Patron and member, Board of Trustees of the Yoruba Oodua Union, a Board of Trustees member of the Nigeria – US Trade Council, Patron and BoT of the Nigerian Youth Congress, and Patron for several other notable socio- cultural, socio- economic and youth organisations in different parts of the world.
Oba Odunayo Ajayi is well travelled locally and internationally to several countries / continents of the world and he is a multiple award winner from different sectors with worldwide acclaim, becoming the first and only Nigerian monarch so far to be a guest at the opening bell of the world acclaimed financial headquarters, the New York Stock Exchange in April 2017.
Oba Arowotawaya II has written and published five books to date.
His Oba Arowotawaya Foundation has offered full scholarships to countless 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 and work tools for their empowerment.
The recently introduced Arowotawaya Royal Cooperative Society offers interest-free loans to members in order to boost commerce in Erinmo by supporting small – and medium scale enterprises
