It was a dawn of a new era in Odo-Oro Ekiti on Saturday as the newly appointed monarch of the town, Oba Babatunde Adebayo Jemilehin, Aladesodedero 1, the Onise of Odo-Oro Ekiti, was given his Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office by Governor John Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi.

At the coronation ceremony held at the playing field of Odo-Oro High School, colourfully dressed sons and daughters of the ancient town trooped out in their thousands to witness the epoch making ceremony. Various traditional groups and age grades joined in the fanfare.

Speaking while presenting the Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to the new Onise, Chief Egbeyemi expressed confidence that with the legal background of the new monarch, "it would not be difficult for the Oba to foster cooperation an unity among your people to elevate your community to an enviable status".

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor also appealed to "the good people of Odo-Oro Ekiti to allow the spirit of oneness and sincerity of purpose to reflect in your support and cooperation with the kabiyesi", adding that such "is a basic requirement at this time when Odo-Oro Ekiti in dire need of accelerated development".

"Your Royal Majesty, today you are being confirmed to be the custodian of culture and tradition of Odo-Oro people. You must strive to accommodate, endure, persevere tolerate and dutifully serve in your day to day administration of your people. You must also embrace all and sundry in the discharge of your duties", he counselled.

Describing the event as "another milestone" the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Ekiti State, Mr. Adeniyi Familoni, noted that the activities leading to the coronation ceremony "started 24th June, 2019, when the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs directed Ikole Local Government to set in motion necessary machinery for the Niniosukarun Ruling House to fill the vacant stool in line with Chieftaincy Declaration of Onise Odo-Oro Ekiti".

"It is worthy of note that the entire process leading to the selection of the Kabiyesi-elect was done without rancour and his emergence was generally accepted by all sons and daughters of Odo-Oro Ekiti", Familoni enthused.

In her remarks at the ceremony, the Executive Chairman, Ikole Local Government Area, Princess Abiola Olukayode, who also hails from the community, expressed joy that the selection process "produced a unanimously and generally acceptable candidate in Prince Babatunde Adebayo Ojo Jemilehin as the sole candidate and was confirmed by the kingmakers". She appealed to the people to join hands with the new Oba to ensure a peaceful and progressive reign.

Welcoming guests to the ceremony, Chief Timothy Foluso Oluwagbemi, the Aro of Idofin and Chairman, Oba's Coronation Planning Committee, thanked all those who contributed one way or the other to make the ceremony a huge success.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Aladesodedero 1 said that he was "humbled and overwhelmed by the show of affection, love and goodwill of the people of Odo-Oro Ekiti since my selection process started; up to my installation on October 14 and up till today.

"The selection process was unprecedentedly peaceful without any rancour because of the understanding of my brothers princes. The maturity o the entire Ilise and Niniosukarun Ruling House can never go unnoticed. The way we all accepted the outcome of the selection process without allowing the unpleasant history of the past to repeat itself shows that a new lease of life and bright light have come to stay in Odo-Oro Ekiti and in the ruling house. No amount of money could buy the honour I have today", the monarch said, urging his subject to feel free to offer him useful suggestions.

The Onise of Odo-Oro Ekiti stool, it would be recalled, became vacant on August 20, 2018 when the then Onise, Oba Joseph Oyegbadebo, Ogunsakin Olowoselu 1, from Akowojobiokikun Ruling House joined his ancestors.

Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were Oba Adekunle Adebowale, the Agbolu of Ife, who represented the Ooni of Ife. His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Alawe of Ilawe kiti and Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Obas, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, Afuntade 1, the Elekole of Ikole Ekiti, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku, the Olojebu of Ijebu Agege Ekiti, Oba Ezekiel Idowu Awe, the immediate Regent of Odo-Oro Ekiti, Princess Aeronke Olowoselu Nelso Aremo; the penultimate regent of the town, Princess Omowumi Ayegbusi; the Amuro of Temidire Ekiti, Oba Femi Kupoluyi among others.