TRIBUTE: Oba Adedeji Was A Thorough Progressive – Aregbesola-

THE GLORIOUS EXIT OF A PROGRESSIVE MONARCH

Erin wo, ajanaku sun bi oke, Akinrun lo!

It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that I receive the news of the transition of the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Adewale Adedeji II, on Wednesday.

Oba Adedeji ascended the throne of his fathers in 1991 and his rein brought significant progress to Ikirun. He was well loved by all his subjects at home and abroad.

As a king he conducted himself with dignity and honour befitting his office and promoted Yoruba culture and tradition.

Though a monarch, he was a thorough progressive. He wore his progressive identity with pride and never wavered in his support for the progressives.

He was one of our strongest allies since my emergence in 2004, before I became governor and for the eight years I was in the saddle. Even till he breathed his last, he continued to support the progressive government in Osun. He was a rare breed monarch whose position is well assured in the pantheon of progressive monarchs.

He was particularly committed to our victory and was involved in mobilising Osun indigenes outside the state, especially in Ondo State and was unrelenting in his effort, until victory came our way. His support for the progressive cause was so total that at the peak of the June 12 struggle, he risked everything to confer a chieftaincy title, Yeyeoba of Ikirun, on Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the mother of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at a time he could have been dethroned by the military government for being so audacious to romance with elements considered to be enemies of the despotic government.

He was also a devout Muslim. He lived his entire life committed to the cause of and promotion of Islam, without neglecting his traditional responsibilities as a monarch.

His demise is a monumental loss to the good people of Ikirun and the progressive family in Osun. In him we have lost a strong ally in the bid to keep the progressive flag flying. He will be greatly missed.

My heartfelt condolences to his family, the Akirun in Council, Osun State Council of Obas, the leaders of APC in Osun, Chief Bisi Akande, the State Government of Osun and the good people of Ikirun. I pray that God will give them His peace and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

May he find joy and comfort in his next estate. Ameen.

Ọgbẹni Rauf Arẹgbẹsọla