Five decades of the King: Happy birthday!
Femi OGUNLANA
Advertisement
Advertisement
August 7, 2024 marks a half-century from August 7, 1974. It is a significant milestone because a prominent monarch in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Oba Abolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide Olajide 1, the Onisapa of Isapa, whose great progenitor, Orisatolu, was a pioneer settler in the princely city of Ogbomoso, has lived his life within that period, for he was born on August 7, 1974 and today, August 7, 2024, he is out clinking glasses and hoisting balloon bouquets to celebrate his Golden Jubilee of existence. It is a big deal because a half-century, five solid decades, have come come and gone, and for him they are strewn with amazing accomplishments and is poised to achieve more. Oba Olajide who was crowned last year is joyful on this landmark, we congratulate and rejoice with him.
Advertisement
That he is alive is an achievement on its own and for him to have climbed the ladder to make it to the throne is another monumental, laudable accomplishment. After making success in private endeavour as a businessman and politician he crowned it with the exalted seat of his forebears becoming the Onisapa of Isapa. His Majesty’s strides since ascending the throne has been inspiring. Reflecting on his activities, he is not sitting on the stool for the inherent glamour and coziness but to make an indelible mark that will remain visible in all history, even after he might have gone from this plane. Oba Olajide is exceedingly concerned about the welfare of his people because he is quite aware that if his subjects are in excellent well-being they will have the verve to pursue their goals more vigorously, for him, a prosperous people will translate to prosperity for his Isapa community. That is why at every opportunity he talks to them through the media, conventional and social, charging them on good living, warning them against wrongful living as he advised them during the recent cholera outbreak, identifying with them during auspicious celebrations to boost their morale and inspire them.
Advertisement
The popular Aarada Market in Ogbomoso, thriving in his domain, that reflects the entrepreneurship spirit of his people, he is working tirelessly to upgrade and make a modern trading post. He has been appealing to governments at various levels, political office holders and philanthropists to assist in committing resources to the market to make it modern; he is yearning for provision of facilities as intra-market roads, solar street light, public toilets, borehole system, modern stalls, abattoirs and so on. He says he believes if the fresh-produce market receives such boost it will transform the economy of Ogbomoso and Oyo state as a whole. He is a visionary Oba, the kind the modern time requires.
His Golden Jubilee celebration, which he plans to throw a bash to mark, he has stated is a clarion call to do more and to seek to surpass his predecessors and make it an herculean task to match and exceed by his own successors. Kabiyesi, may you reign for a long time, in health and peace. May your vision for a greater Isapa Kingdom be attained soonest. May those you look up to to invest in your domain hearken to your ardent pleas. On this occasion of your Golden Jubilee, I wish you the best life can offer. Igba odun, odun kan ni!
