THROWBACK PHOTOS: Aafin Ogbomoso in 1981, the Ilu chiefs, installed 13 honorary chiefs including L.A. Gbadamosi, Ayantayo
Adebayo ADELEKE
April 17, 1981, was a memorable day in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, as on that day which fell during Easter festivities Soun of Ogbomosoland Alayeluwa Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III conferred honorary chieftaincies on a new set of personalities those he said had made significant contribution to the growth and development of the community.
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“May I at this juncture elucidate on what are uppermost in my mind in considering the worthiness of an individual for this unique honour. As many well-meaning Ogbomoso citizens are aware, offer of money or gift in any shape or form to seek favour has no place in my line of thinking. Selfless service to the community, promotion of economic upliftment of our people, and the persistent endeavour to enhance the welfare of the common man are those attributes that I always place under critical consideration in deciding who and who, irrespective of political or religious affiliation, should gain chieftaincy honours,” the monarch said in his address that day.
The personalities conferred with the chieftaincies are Ayantayo Ayandele, installed as Aare Agbaakin; David Adebayo Ishola as Aare Mayegun; Amao Oyateru – Gbogbaniyi; Samuel Ayanwale Alayande as Ariwajoye; Joseph Babalola Ojo – Aare Balogun; and Jimoh Alagbe Amuda as Otun Asipa.
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Others are Moses Olatunji Idowu – Aare Ashipa; Yesufu Ayinla – Otun Babalaje; Moses Agbejinmi as Asoju Oba; Adegoke Olanlokun Adediran as Aare Atunluto; Ade Bello as Ekarun Soun; Ladiji Abidemi Gbadamosi – Ajebamidele; and Emmanuel Lakanmi as Ekefa Ogbomoso.
The planning committee chairman was Chief S.T. Ojo, who was the Otun of Ogbomoso. You will see his photo as well as those of the seven Ilu Chiefs at the time and a glimpse of what the palace looked like. You will also behold brief profiles of the honorees, all of whom are probably late now.
Chief L.A. Gbadamosi passed away on March 1, 2016; Chief Ayantayo Ayandele who rose to become chairman of the (defunct) Ogbomoso local government and Senator died on March 24, 2018, while Chief J.B. Ojo transited last year.
