50th Coronation Anniversary: Osun Council of Obas Congratulates Ogiyan of Ejigbo Land
50th Coronation Anniversary: Osun Council of Obas Congratulates Ogiyan of Ejigbo Land
By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
The Osun State Council of Obas under the chairmanship of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Babatunde Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, have congratulated the Ogiyan of Ejigbo land in Ejigbo local government area of the state, His Royal Majesty, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode, Oyesosin II, JP, MFR on his 50th coronation anniversary on the throne.
In the congratulatory message jointly signed by the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Aroyinkeye 1 and Elerinmo of Erinmo, Oba (Dr) Michael Odunayo Ajayi JP, Arowotawaya II on behalf of the council of Obas described the Elejigbo as a vibrant and visionary monarch who has been at the forefront in bringing development to Ejigbo land as well as working with relevant stakeholders and institutions to advance the socio-economic development of the entire community since his ascension to the exalted throne of his forefathers in 1974.
According to the Osun State Council of Obas, “We commend Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin for his interest and contributions to the socio-economic developments of entire Ejigbo land while congratulating him for the positive impacts, leadership and achievements recorded among fellow Obas in the state and beyond”
Ogiyan, in the congratulatory message by the monarchs, is versed in Yoruba culture, customs and tradition, he is a philanthropist who always searches for the welfare and betterment of his subjects.
Oba Oyesosin while in the womb of his mother then, someone predicted to her that “mother, the baby in your womb will become a king” and as time went on, the prediction came to reality as he was installed as Ogiyan of Ejigbo on his birthday which was 25 of January 1974.
Following his installation as the Ogiyan of Ejigbo land, the ceremony for the presentation of instruments of office to him by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of the then Western Region, Canon Akinyemi, who was the father of Professor Bolaji Akinyemi followed while the famous musician, King Sunny Ade was on ground entertaining the guests from far and near.
Oba Oyesosin was born on January 25, 1936, he had a privilege and still has it in the sense that his physique does not aptly show his real age making to look younger than his age.
Before he started Western education in 1946, he was in Quranic school but did not finish his tutelage there. He backed out when he was very young because of what he considered then a cheat by his bosses.
Bosses are very common in Quranic schools, that is, those who had been there before you. However, he graduated from primary school in 1954. In the same year, he passed an entrance examination into Eku School of Nursing, in the old Bendel State. His father felt that he was too small to go to nursing school.
He thought if he went there and he will broke a bottle of medicine and they would drive him out, so he was prevented from going there.
So, he went back to the farm. He was in one of their farm plots one day when somebody came to give him the news that his father would want to see him at home immediately. The person said there is a school founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which bridged the gap between primary and secondary schools. The school was known then as Modern School and in May 1955, he was admitted into Modern School. In 1957, he graduated from Modern School. He taught for one year before proceeding to Grade 3 teachers’ college. His father died in 1960. He taught in a primary school between 1961 and 1963. Then, he went for a two-year course in Osogbo.
He could not finish the programme as they thought he knew too much and he was referred to one subject out of 10. He obtained credit throughout but was referred to in the principle and practice of education. He didn’t repeat in the school, but he started teaching in his old secondary school. In 1969 he gained admission into the University of Ibadan and graduated in 1972. He was given automatic employment at Osogbo. From there, he went to Fiditi Grammar School. By then, his predecessor in office, the then Ogiyan of Ejigbo passed on.
He was invited by his family to represent them and by the grace of God, his appointment was ratified on the 23rd of December, 1973. Now, he has spent 50 years on the throne.
