Eminent Nigerians within and outside Ondo State and illustrious sons and daughters of Oba-Ile origin came out in their large numbers to celebrate with Oloba of Oba –Ile, Oba Joseph Oluwadare Agunbiade over his elevation as first Class Oba in Ondo State.
At the thanksgiving service held at St. John Anglican Church in Oba-Ile on Saturday February 11, 2023 Oba Joseph Oluwadare Agunbiade (JP) Otutubiosun III showed high level of appreciation to God for the making his elevation possible after many years of concerted efforts.
Oba Agunbiade noted that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has written his name on sand of time with the elevation of Oloba Stool as one of the First Class Obas in the State saying that although Oba-Ile has been in existence for well over 600 years before the Akure- the State Capital.
In his welcome address, the Chairman Planning Committee of Oloba Thanksgiving Service and Award Ceremony, Elemo of Oba-Ile, High Chief Gbemisayo Oluwatimilehin appreciated Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for the upgrading of Oloba Stool which he said has been long overdue.
“We also welcome our esteemed awardees who have made Oba-Ile proud and have distinguished themselves in their various careers and chosen fields of endeavours thus flying the flag of the community in various places where they have worked.
He pointed out that all the awardees have made great contributions towards the development of Oba Ile and its sons and daughters calling on others to emulate their roles and to make modest contributions to the advancement of Oba-Ile.
Some of the eminent sons and daughters of the community honoured at the occasion including Johnson Ayodele Fasemore, Chief Makinde Oguntona, Prof. William Olusola Olu-Aderounmu, Bishop Ayodeji Fagbemi, Hon. Otunba Michael Omoniyi Omodara, Prof. JTB Oluwatimilehin, Chief (Mrs.) Stella Kosemani Kolawole, Dr. Tolulola Olajibike Bayode and Hon. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye
While having a chat with Democrat News Magazine shortly after receiving their awards as worthy ambassador of Oba-Ile Community some of the awardees noted that the honour would be cherished for the rest of their lives because it came from their source.
They pointed out that the award will serve as impetus towards driving more development to the community by using their God given talents and resources generously for the people and Oba-Ile at large.
In the same way, they called on all and sundry to emulate qualities of selfless contributions and service to humanity which they said informed their time to time contributions to the community.
Also in his good will message, Kabiyesi Omodara Babatunde Famotua, Olu of Isagba Alh. Ibrahim Dangari, Kabiyesi Olugele, Chief Osodi of Oba-Ile and Mr. Abiodun Arijodi congratulated Oloba of Oba-Ile whom they described as a complete gentle man with unabated love for the people of his community and beyond.
They also used the medium to thank Governor Akeredolu for his love for the traditional institution of Ondo State and prayed that God will grant him more grace to lead the state to a great height.