Date: 2018-05-21

History was made in the ancient town of Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, on May 11, 2018 when Chief Olaniyi Jide Adebayo, was installed as the 6th Eesa.

The four day coronation ceremony kicked off on Thursday morning with religious prayers at the family residence of the Eesa at Afin Quarters, Ihaye ward. The prayer session which illustrated the height of religious tolerance, unity and peaceful co-existence as a whole was done in both Christian and Muslim ways.

In the evening of the same day, a dinner for family, friends and well-wishers of the new Eesa took place at Mucenty Hotel till the early hours of Friday.

On Friday which was the installation proper, well-wishers trooped in as early as 8am to wish Adebayo well.

Inside a well-furnished palace in his ancestral home, the Eesa was surrounded by some chiefs and friends as he sat regally with all the glamour befitting the Prime Minister.

Sitting on a black leather chair, he donned a white agbada with a chocolate-coloured cap to match and customized blue shoes boldly engraved with the name and insignia of his new title.

Colourful costumes Among those who came to wish him well were masquerades believed to be heavenly beings, in colourful costumes, with wild singing and dancing. The first group of masquerades named Jelenke made their entrance at exactly 10:08 and were closely followed by Amuludun group. Okin masquerades came next with Areekejegbo following.

In an orderly manner, the masquerades came before the Eesa to give him their blessings and were generously acknowledged with monetary gifts. Having given their blessings, they came out into the open to entertain onlookers.

With the entrance of the masquerades the atmosphere was charged and some people who were earlier aloof to happenings in the compound came closer not only to watch the cultural display but also to partake in the celebration.

It was easier for the people to interact with the masquerades because, unlike in some areas where fierce looking, blood-chilling masquerades brandishing whips or even other dangerous objects usually come out they were friendly, colourful and accommodating and carried no whips.

At 10:29am when it was time for the Eesa and his entourage to proceed to the Palace of the Olomu of Omu-Aran for the installation, women of Afin Quarters were already stationed at the entrance to the palace hall where the Eesa sat, singing and dancing and requesting for the traditional 'feeding money'.

The Eesa emerged flanked by his wife Alice and like the benevolent father and husband he stepped into the waiting arms of the women who eulogized him as he patiently distributed monetary gifts to them. Done, he then made his way to waiting vehicles which conveyed him and his entourage to the palace.

The palace of the Olomu of Omu-Aran wore a merry mien as gaily dressed men and women in traditional outfits trooped into the vast compound. The facade of the palace was decked in bright colours of posters felicitating with the new Eesa and wishing him a fruitful reign.

While guests awaited the commencement of the installation ceremony, the Fakalayo cultural troupe and 'wives of Eesa' were on ground to entertain guests with cultural music. The 'wives of Eesa' comprised of young women who wore white clothes and adorned their hair, wrists, necks and ankles with red colourful beads. They danced around the compound greeting people and felicitating with the Eesa.

On the other hand, the Fakalayo cultural troupe lit the compound with scintillating Bata drum beats and deft, nimble dance steps.

A mild drama was enacted as the family of the Eesa came forward to formally request the Olomu-in-Council for the title of Eesa for their son, Adebayo. With permission granted, the family showed their appreciation with monetary gifts while each segment of the community also supported them. Immediately after the show of appreciation, the Eesa was brought forward amidst a crowd of family, friends and well-wishers.

Adebayo was presented to the Olomu-in-Council and he was accepted with each of the chiefs praying for him and wishing him a fruitful reign.

At 12:01 when he was formally installed as the as the sixth Eesa of Omu-Aran, his family members were called upon to kneel in solidarity with him as he knelt to receive the coveted title.

The acting Traditional Head of the community, Chief Festus Awoniyi, who performed the traditional rites urged the new Eesa to be a good ambassador of the Olomu-in-Council and Omu-Aran community in particular and charged him to imbibe the act of humility, transparency, diligence and trustworthiness in the discharge of his traditional duties.

In his acceptance speech, Adebayo, who is also a former Executive Director (Marketing), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), expressed gratitude to God and the good people of Omu-Aran for the opportunity given him to serve.

He pledged his allegiance to the Olomu of Omu-Aran, the Olomu-in-Council and Omu-Aran community in general. He promised to work with all segments of the community and appealed for the support and cooperation of the people to make his reign a smooth and successful one.

Immediately after his acceptance speech, local hunters added their voices to the ceremony with gunshots at intervals.

Led by boisterous masquerades, traditional drummers and women singers the new Eesa was led away from the Olomu's palace to his palace at Afin Quarters accompanied by a mammoth crowd of family, friends and well-wishers thereby shutting down the whole town as they proceeded through the major street of the town.

The day ended with guests and friends of the new Eesa being treated to an elaborate reception at the Omu-Aran Town Hall.

The climax of the four day installation took place yesterday with a thanksgiving service held at 2nd ECWA Church, Agamo, Omu-Aran.

The Eeesa was born on December 14, 1955, into the family of Mallam Karimu Adebayo Iyanda and Madam Munirat Adeponle Atunke (both of blessed memory).

He attended SIM/ECWA Primary School, Agamo, Omu-Aran from 1960 to 1967; Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran (1969 to 1973) Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos (1978) for a Certificate Course in News Writing and the University of Lagos for Diploma in Mass Communication from 1978-1979).

He had served as a reporter and city editor of the Nigeria Herald newspapers in Ilorin, Kaduna and Akure between 1974 and early 1980 and was one time the State Commissioner for Information.

Eesa is not a honorary