Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran Lagbami Osekun III has been described as a brave person who is never afraid of fighting injustice.
This was the submission of His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo at the diamond jubilee celebration of Oba Oyediran yesterday (January 3) at Oja-Oba Baptist Church, Ogbomoso.
Alaafin
In a special speech tagged “Vintage Diamond Speech,” Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi declares: “In the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, we have three categories of members; we have the weaklings, those who are ever afraid of government; we have those who are neither here nor there who change positions at every whims; and the third category consists of the brave, Onpetu Oyediran is one of the courageous kings.”
Oba Oyediran with his wife Olori Esther Subuola
Alaafin who was at the occasion with two of his youngest queens further said he had been involved with Onpetu in several struggles to introduce innovations in the Council of Obas and had fought together to right many wrongs.
On a lighter mood meanwhile, the Oyo state permanent chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs discloses he does have issues with Onpetu at times on the way the latter treat him in the council, unfolding, “When we are to make monetary contributions for any cause, Onpetu will assert I make the largest contribution and when I query him on his reason, he will say I am the leader but when we are to share money he will insist I be allotted the smallest share while jokingly alluding to the same reason as before. Oba Oyediran is good at organization; he knows how to relate well with elders.”
Further eulogizing Onpetu, Alaafin states: “He is devoted to his religion, he is a man of his own conviction, whenever we attend meetings of the council of Obas he will be shouting “Jesus,” “Jesus” and I would try to stop him that this is the traditional council meeting but he will not listen, he so much believes in his religion.”
Oba Adeyemi III also remarks that the birthday monarch is brilliant and a reservoir of knowledge, pointing out that his discovery of these qualities in him inspired him to make available to him documents needed to promote the cause of Onpetu throne.
“When I discovered he was brilliant and knowledgeable, I gave him documents to help him restore Onpetu throne to its prestigious status. I salute him.”
Not done, the foremost traditional ruler then advises: “He should not forsake his character. He is born to be great and he shall be the greatest. He is not a corrupt person, very upright and straightforward.
“In the past we used to be given minced pie and coke at the traditional council meeting but with him (Onpetu) I wrote the then military governor that as Yoruba monarchs we should be treated to our traditional cuisines which the administrator acceded to. We brought innovations to the Council of Obas. He is a hardworking person, livewire of the council,” Alaafin states while noting that it was the high respect and love he has for the celebrant that made him stay for so long at the event. He subsequently heaps blessing on Onpetu, who is into his 22nd year on the throne.
It was harvest of eulogies for him. Other speakers such as Senator Fatai Buhari representing Oyo North Senatorial District; Hon Sanjo Adedoyin, Majority Leader, Oyo State House of Assembly; Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde; and the representative of Engr. Dotun Sanusi, chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan and who is the Aare-Atayese of Ijeruland,” all describe him as “humble, forthright, honest, passionate, advocate of love, unity and development.”
In others’ testimonies he is acclaimed to be “very generous.”
In his sermon, titled, “Birthday celebration thanksgiving,” Rev’d Dr. John Fatunbi, minister-in-charge of the host church, with text from Psalm 90:12 remarks that birthday celebration is biblical giving examples of Kings Pharaoh and Herod.
Rev’d Fatunbi recalls how the ancestors of Oba Oyediran donated the land on which the church stands today, which he says used to be home to a dreaded forest, while observing that this step is what the reigning monarch is also following with his many contributions to the growth of the church.
The cleric asserts that Onpetu Oyediran deserves to be celebrated in view of his many accomplishments.
Many dignitaries attended the programme.