Kabiyesi Ayo Osanlade Dada, Olu Ugele of Ugele land has completed his three days traditional rite of adopting/espousing all the ancient masquerades of Akure origin in line with custom and tradition of the land for any traditional ruler of the community.
Ugele is one of the prominent communities in ancient Akure, where masquerade is being celebrated.
The community is fairly large in population with many social amenities being facilitated by government and some well meaning sons and daughters of the community.
Some of the amenities include Comprehensive Health Centre, Electricity, well graded access roads, water supply and a host of others.
Ugele community which is situated along Ado/Owo road is now under Akure North Local Government for easy administration.
The event started on Friday 17th of February to Sunday 19th of February, 2023 where eminent Nigerians within and outside Ondo State converged to celebrate with Kabiyesi Ayo Osunlade Dada whom they described as a lover of people.
Some of the masquerades that were paraded include Agbagudu, Egun Ure, Amomo Ugele, Ede, Ajalamo, Olisikin, Olomoyiye, Uwo takotabo, Mawo and so on.
While speaking with journalists, Olu Ugele of Ugele Kabiyesi Ayo Osunlade Dada said the three day activities have been marked as part of his ascension of the throne in line with the tradition of Ugele community.
In his words: “What we are doing today is to ensure that all the traditional masquerades come out in their numbers and anyone that did not come out now will not be able to come out again until the demise of the monarch.
“We brought all of them from Ugele and Odo-Ijoka and we took them to palace of Deji of Akure on a courtesy call and we returned all of them to Ugele.
He also noted that after the completion of the rite the community will witness steady progress he therefore called on the youths to emulate him and to embrace tradition of Akure community.
Kabiyesi used the medium to appreciate all the traditional rulers, eminent Nigerians that came from all walks of life to grace the occasion and wish them journey mercies back to their various destinations.
Some of those who spoke with the Democrat News Magazine pointed Kabiyesi Olu Ugele has been touching many lives positively through his philanthropic gesture from his youthful days far before he came to the throne of Olu Ugele.
High Chief Adeseye Adegbite, Olu of Ode-Igede: “Kabiyesi Ayo Osanlade is a traditional ruler that understands custom and tradition of Akure so much and has leadership quality. We have been coming long way together. My prayer for him is that God will continue to support him as he leads Ugele community.”
Lisa of Ugele Land, Chief Adefisayo Adejimi: “Kabiyesi Ayo Osanlade performed excellently well in all areas and
Odo of Oba-Ile, High Chief Idowu Ogunjebi expressed delight in personality of Olu Ugele and prayed for grace of God upon him as he leads the community to an enviable height.
In his words: “He has good human relations and that is the reason you see the large turnout of people here today regardless what is happening in the country.
In his comment, Araba Ogboni of Ondo State used the medium to pray for the success Kabiyesi Olu Ugele and urged the people of the community to support him as he is well positioned to galvanize the development of the community.
In the same way, one of his childhood friends, NULGE Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Comrade Oluwatuyi Olasoji rejoiced with Olu Ugele on his ascension of throne praying for peaceful reign on the throne.
Comrade Olasoji described Kabiyesi Ayo Osanlade as man of impeccable character who has been demonstrating tenacity from his childhood.
Also in his goodwill message Niyi Asoga thank God for the success of the installation of Olu Ugele, Ayo Osunlade Dada whom he described as being loved my numerous youths of the community.
He pointed out that his enthronement has brought back the youths of the community with high inspiration to continue to contribute to the community in no small measure.
Odopetu of Ugele, Oloye Muyiwas Ileke said: “Kabiyesi Ayo Osanlade is a God sent to this community. His appointment is not about age but quality he displayed since he came on board as Olu Ugele.