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.