THANKSGIVING!

You Must Forgive Your Offenders

- Ven. Banjo Admonishes Oba MacGregor At Second Year Thanksgiving Service 

What Shall You Render Unto The Lord? Was the poignant question asked of His Royal Majesty Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor as he marked his second year coronation thanksgiving service at St. Peters African Church, Ilawo, Abeokuta on Sunday 21st September 2025.

This was the theme of the sermon taking from Psalm 116 vs 12 by the Vicar of St. Peters African Church, Ilawo, Venerable Abiodun Banjo who enjoined the monarch to be thankful for all the blessings promised by God have been fulfilled unto him. "If the lord had not done it for you, you cannot rejoice and give thanks because you have fulfilled all righteousness contained in Psalm 92," the Vicar said.

Ven. Banjo reminded Oba MacGregor that the best way to render to God is to spread His love among His people whom He has chosen him as their king. "You must show love to those who loves you and to those who despise you. Hence, you must used the occasion of your coronation anniversary to forgive your offenders and spread the love of God among His people. If you don't forgive others, God will not forgive you," the clergyman counselled.

Ven. Banjo admonished the monarch to keep faith with God and see how His promises made in the book of Isaiah 41 vs 8-16 will come to pass.

In his address, Oba MacGregor appreciated God's benevolence since his enthronement as the Olu of Ilawo Kingdom just as he expressed his immense gratitude to the church for the tremendous moral and spiritual support giving to him.

"Today, we are here to give thanks as we always do. I thank God for His faithfulness at all times and also appreciates the support of the church morally and spiritually. A lot of activities have taken place since our enthronement such that we have lost track of time. Though, it has not been easy but we draw strength from God," he added.

Oba MacGregor seized the occasion to announce the installation of the solar-powered electrification of the church which he promised would be completed in a month time.

The monarch accompanied by his beautiful wife, Olori Omolara Sekinat Fashola-MacGregor, members of the MacGregor family, traditional and royal council chiefs, invited dignitaries undertook the family and second year coronation thanksgiving harvest of His Royal Majesty ably supervised by Ven. Banjo.

The Vicar while praying for the long reign and well-being of the king and his household also prayed for God's divine intervention in the affairs of Orile Ilawo Kingdom.

The Osi of Ilawo, Chief A. A. Olufade led other traditional and royal council chiefs in accompanying Oba MacGregor to the thanksgiving service. Others include Chief Kolapo Aremu, Baba Oba & Aare of Ilawo; Chief Bankole, Aro; Chief Funsho Akinwande, Oluomo; Hon. Bode Bankole, Aare Onibon; Chief Wasiu Balogun, Akogun; Chief (Mrs) Adebunmi Bankole, Lika and Chief Babalola Olufunsho, Bale Osha.

Others include Chief Diyaolu Oluwatosin, Sakotun; Chief Moruf Adebayo, Bayangun; Chief Oluyemi Taiwo, Asiwaju Bada; Chief (Mrs) Adebayo Taiwo, Ekerin Like; Chief (Mrs) Kofoworola Sulaiman, Moriwafu; Chief Balogun Kamoru; Chief Bayo Bankole, Akinrogun and Chief Mutiu MacGregor, Lemo of Ilawo.

SOLID ON THE ROCK!

 Oba MacGregor Is Ordained By God -Sheikh Sayidina

The Olu of Ilawo Kingdom, Oba Prof Alexander Olusegun MacGregor is a house planted on the rock which no ill-wind can pull down.

This was the open declaration of the Sheikh of Ilawo Mosque, Al-Imam Sayidina Ali during a special thanksgiving prayer in commemoration of the two years coronation anniversary of Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor held at the Palace Ground on Friday 19th September 2025.

The Islamic clerics while quoting copiously from Surat Muleeq (Chapter of Wealth) noted that it was obvious that the MacGregor Family has found favour in the sight of

Allah right from the days of its progenitor, Chief Gbadamosi MacGregor, a staunch Muslim, who was the former Balogun of Ilawo and a gallant soldier who served in the Queens Army before WW1 ca. 1875.

According to Sheikh Sayidina, Allah's favour continued to rest upon MacGregor's son, Chief Harry Adebisi MacGregor, the erstwhile Oluwo of Ilawo who was very influential in Ilawo even as such favour also extends to Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor, the present Olu of Ilawo.

He noted that no one becomes king except with the express permission of Allah who ordains king whom He pleases. " You have found favour before Allah just like your grandfather and father who have both left indelible mark on Ilawo's cherished history. The history of Ilawo cannot be complete without the contribution of your family.

"Indeed,  It is not a coincidence you are our king. You have been ordained by Allah and therefore any ill-feelings nursed against you will fail," says Sheikh Sayidina.

He enjoined the monarch to put his trust only in Allah, the author and finisher of faith, noting that people will wage war against him but Allah is all sufficient God.

The cleric therefore ordered a special prayer for the long life of the monarch as well as peace, unity and progress of Ilawo.

Interestingly, Olori Sekinat Lara Fashola-MacGregor, the wife of the monarch drew the most attention during the special prayers with her long list of prayer request which included the well-being of her husband, Oba MacGregor and the royal household; continue peace and progress in Ilawo; the traditional and royal council, palace staffs; as well as people of other religious faiths.

In his response, Oba MacGregor appreciated God and the Muslim community for their support for the throne as well as continued peace, unity and progress of Ilawo.

 

He emphasized the need for cooperation, steadfastness and commitment of all and sundry  in the collective drive to place the ancient Egba kingdom in an enviable position.

"We have opened a new chapter that will impact positively on the life of our people at home and in our rural villages. We are building a solid trust and hope for the future which everyone would be proud of. Hence, we solicit cooperation and understanding of all and sundry to make this happen," says Oba MacGregor.

 When Showers of Blessings Welcome Oba MacGregor To Alagbagba Village 

A jubilant crowd of villagers defied the rains to welcome the Olu of Orile Ilawo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor and his beautiful wife, Yeye Omolara Fashola-MacGregor to Alagbagba Village in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State on Thursday 18th September 2025.

The visit which was the launch of a medical outreach programme for the elderly, women, youth and children was part of activities to mark the second year coronation anniversary of the monarch was highly anticipated as villagers thronged the village health centre for the health programme.

In a show of love and admiration for the monarch, villagers from neighbouring villages lined the road, waving enthusiastically to the monarch and his long convoy.

On his arrival at Alagbagba Village at past soon, Oba MacGregor alongside his beautiful wife and traditional council chiefs were ushered into the health centre by health workers and women who sang praises of the king. 

The visit literally became a fact-finding mission for the monarch who was visibly miffed by the poor condition of the health facility which has only one bedding and lacking basic other amenities.

Similarly, Oba MacGregor was also displeased with the condition of the town hall with surroundings left unkept and leaking roofs. 

It was at this point that the Baale of Alagbagba, Chief Rafiu  Adio Shodiya reported that the solar-powered borehole project was stalled by some reactionary elements who stopped the contractors and the engineer from working on the project. 

A visibly miffed monarch wondered why some people would be opposed to impactful development such as the borehole project if indeed they truly mean well for the community.

He counselled: "This is your village. You must show ownership and take responsibility for this kind of project that impacts positively on the lives of your people by rejecting this kind of behaviour without resorting to violence. You must stop them and report them to the appropriate authority." 

To show his concern for the poor condition of the town hall, the monarch instructed that modalities for renovation and complete facelift of the hall should be forwarded to him to bankroll while also enjoining the villagers to take responsibility for proper maintenance of the town hall going forward.

He also promised to provide the health centre with more beddings and other essential amenities to make it more functional even as he diclosed his plans to have a conversation with the commissioner of health on ways of improving the health facility.

On the medical outreach programme, Oba MacGregor stated that the outreach will attend to cases of diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments. "Through our partners, Sygen Pharmaceuticals, we have more than enough drugs to go round. We value you and your well-being and that is why we are organizing this medical outreach so that you can be tested and treated for some of the minor ailments that can affect your health and well-being," the monarch said.

The visit was eventually rounded off with a novelty football match held at Community High School, Alagbagba football field between Alagbagba Village and Abeokuta which ended 3-0  in favour of the home team to win the glittering gold cup donated by the monarch.

Speaking at the end of the keenly contested match, the monarch shared his excitement. 

"For me, there is no winner, no loser. The youths of Ilawo won today because the two teams are youths of Ilawo and I am excited our youths have a unique opportunity to share in the joy of this moment," Oba MacGregor stated.

Soon afterwards, the heavens literally opened up with torrential rainfall that villagers described as showers of blessings and a mark of the gods acceptance of Kabiyesi's visit to Alagbagba. 

The visit to Alagbagba Village came a day after the week-long coronation anniversary programmes began with a 7.5km Walkathon along some communities in Abeokuta.

 OLU OF ILAWO ANNOUNCES SECOND YEAR CORONATION ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMMES

The palace of Olu of Ilawo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof)Alexander Olusegun MacGregor has announced a week-long programme of activities marking the second year coronation anniversary celebration of the monarch.

In a press statement issued by the publicist to the world renowned professor of biopharmaceutical, Lanre Olaleye, the week-long events will kicked off on Wednesday 17th of September, 2025 with a 7.5 km Walkathon-a health walk race with His Royal Majesty Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor, some of his royal chiefs, youths and other participants from Ilawo Community Development Associations (CDAs) and other neighbouring communities. 

The health walk sponsored by Alternative Bank will start at 8 am from Ilawo Royal Palace through Olumo, Itoku down to Kereku Junction adjacent Lafenwa Bridge before the homeward journey back to the palace.

According to the publicist, the walk race which has been part of Kabiyesi's routine is designed to promote physical well-being for participants and create awareness for the week-long coronation anniversary programmes.

The health walk race will be followed by a Medical Outreach and a novelty football match on Thursday 18th September 2025 at Alagbagba Village in Odeda Local Government Area. 

"The medical outreach is Kabiyesi's way of connecting with the less-privileged in our rural communities many of whom do not have access to basic medical care. The first one was held last year at Elegunmefa Village. This year we are going to Alagbagba with the aim of reaching out to more people.

"With about five medical doctors on call and other health practitioners on ground for consultations, diagnosis and testing we hope to cover more households this time around while drugs would be readily and freely made available for patients," Olaleye stated.

Friday September 19th 2025 is dedicated for Muslims thanksgiving prayers at the Palace Ground, Ilawo where Kabiyesi would be joined by his royal chiefs and notable Islamic clerics from Ilawo and neighbouring communities to offer prayers and appreciation to Allah for preserving peace and unity in the kingdom.

Coronation anniversary party/reception is slated for Saturday 20th September 2025 at the Palace Ground where Kabiyesi would host invited dignitaries.

While on Sunday 21st September 2025, it would be time for the Christian thanksgiving service at St. Peters Church, Ilawo.

The week-long Programme would be rounded off on Tuesday 23rd September 2025 with Obo Festival to celebrate Ilawo's ancient deity of fertility.

SPOILING FOR WAR!

Crisis Looms In Ado-Odo As Community Protests Imposition of Baale 

There are indications that the people of Okaran Village in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State may go to war over the proposed upgrade of the status of the current Baale of the Village, Chief Jaiyeola Jimoh Togun to a coronet Oba by the Olofin of Ado -Odo HRM (Oba) Olusola Idris Adebowale Lamidi-Osolo.

To this end, members of the community under the auspices of the Akapo Royal Family are spoiling for war with the Olofin of Ado-Odo.

Led by the trio of Elder (Prince) Oluwatoyin Akapo (Family Head), Prince Adebiyi Akapo (Secretary) and Princess Temitope Akapo (Treasurer) recently staged a peaceful protest to the palace of Olu of Ilawo and paramount ruler of Yewaland, HRM Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle (Asade Agunloye IV).

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘We Say No To Imposition‘, ’Save Our Soul Gov.Abiodun ‘ etc to express their grievances. 

Though Oba Olugbenle could not attend to the protesters as he was unavoidably absent, a petition written on behalf of the community by the protesters lawyer, Michael Ladipo Esq. was submitted to the palace through the Secretary to the Oba.

Copies of the petition was also sent to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogun State as well as the Executive Chairman, Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government. 

We gathered that part of the contents of the petition was that the Olofin of Ado-Odo, HRM (Oba)Olusola Idris Adebowale Lamidi-Osolo as well as Chief Jaiyeola Togun are parties in a pending suit brought by the Akapo Royal Family challenging the Baale-ship of Chief Togun, which suit is pending determination. 

The petitioners are therefore praying for both parties to maintain the status quo till the determination of the suit by the court.

They alleged that Oba Lamidi-Osolo's proposed move to upgrade Baale Togun's status to a coronet Oba amounts to imposition and contempt of court which they vowed to resist through all legal and reasonable means.

Attempt to reach out to the Alado for his response to the allegation was abortive as the monarch was said to have traveled out of the country at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the petitioners have enjoined both Gov. Dapo Abiodun and Oba Olugbenle who incidentally is the Chairman of Yewa Traditional Council to wade into the matter before it escalates into chaos as the imposed Baale (Chief Jaiyeola Togun) is allegedly threatening violence by unleashing mercenaries and land speculators to intimidate inhabitants of Okanran community.