Residents Hail Owaloko, Laud Achievements At Third Anniversary

Residents of Iloko-Ijesa in the Oriade local government area of Osun State, have commended the giant strides of the Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa, Oba Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe, in the last three years of his coronation.

In separate interviews with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the residents noted that Oba Ogungbangbe, since his enthronement, has continued to attract developmental projects that have aided the economic life and well-being of the people.

They also lauded his leadership attributes, stressing that his impact has been felt widely by indigenes of Iloko Ijesa at home and in the diaspora.

A resident of the town, Adebayo Michael, explained that “In the last three years, Oba Ogungbangbe has not agreed that he is a ruler. He prefers to be addressed as a leader.

“He has carried the people along so well that in every corner of the town, you will see his imprints and developmental efforts. We are indeed happy with him.”

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Another respondent, Sodiq Lawal, stressed that the golden imprints of Oba Ogungbangbe have made him a man of the people.

Lawal said, “His major achievements are in education and employment opportunities. Aside from employing temporary staff, he pays monthly to assist public teachers at Osowusi Grammar School. He has a long list of indigenes who are benefiting from his scholarship scheme from primary to tertiary education. He has empowered some youths with quality tools for vocational practice, and those who were lucky to be employed through his intervention are not few in number.

“During Easter or Christmas, he associates with Christians. In the month of Ramadan, he associates with the Muslim faithful. During Obalogun festivals, Oba Ogungbangbe wakes up as early as 3 a.m. to join the procession to historic sites in the town and does not miss showering prayers on his people at every historic site. He expressly permits the celebration of the Olokun and New Year festivals without restraint.

“His kind of royalty does not accommodate laziness and indiscipline. I have seen him driving around the town in person. Whenever you asked him, he would tell you that his driver is also a family man who deserves to rest and play with his kids. For Oba Ogungbangbe, leadership, or royalty, is service to the people. He is not the kind of leader who sits flamboyantly in his palace and asks subjects to run errands for the people. He supervises and monitors community projects.

“Being an Owaloko comes with a lot of sacrifice and demands. Whoever enjoys a luxurious lifestyle, partying, or living flamboyantly must not aspire to become the king of Iloko-Ijesa. The king (Owaloko) serves the people, not the other way around. In Iloko-Ijesa, the king cannot sell land; only the people or council can. No king of Iloko-Ijesa can enjoy the palace like modern kings. You are certainly compelled by some mysteries to work for the town and its people. This is evident in the lives of past leaders who led the town to prosperity with their God-given intellect, resources, and positive drives,” Lawal noted.