By Damola Emmanuel
The gold-bearing town of Ilesa in Osun State was enveloped in a festival of colours, celebration and jubilation, on Saturday, as the strategic town got a brand-new palace.
The ultra-modern edifice was commissioned by the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, who rejoiced with Ijesas at home and in the diaspora, saying the palace befitted the high status of Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland.
Amid relentless cheers by the jubilant crowd, Gov. Oyetola praised Oba Aromolaran, and all Ijesas for erecting the new palace, declaring that “the gesture would further cement the existing bond of unity, love, harmony and brotherhood among the sons and daughters of Ijesaland in particular and Osun in general.”
An obviously elated Oba Aromolaran expressed joy at the new Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland’s Palace, giving thanks to God for the fact that the edifice was conceptualized, constructed and delivered during his glorious reign.
Oba Aromolaran was full of praises for the Project Management Team, PMT, led by Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, for delivering the new palace in record time.
Other members of the team are: Rev. Prince Lowo Adebiyi, Engr. Busayo Aluko, Lady Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo and Chief Afolabi Igbaroola.
Oba Aromolaran momentarily shifted his focus from the celebrations to alert the Government of the State of Osun on what many residents see as a new nightmare: influx of aliens, non-natives and the menace of illegal miners, who, aided by some powerful individuals, are despoiling Osun State, particularly Ijesaland.
A worried Oba Aromolaran said: “I call on the state government to assist with the control of the influx of aliens and non-natives who are engaging in illegal mining activities with attendant consequences of exerting pressure on our social-cultural life.”
Chairman of the project management committee of the new palace, Chief Yinka Fasuyi, the Asiwaju of Ilesa, thanked all sons and daughters of Ijesaland for their support and prayers without which, he said, the N265milllion-edifice would not have been possible in such a record time.
Among eminent Nigerians that attended the colourful event were: former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, members of the National Assembly, Members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers in Ijesaland, and many others.
