Aresapa Ajiboye: A monarch with a golden heart
Femi OGUNLANA
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I am always awed by the humility and sense of love embodied by the Aresa of Iresapupa, His Royal Majesty Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye lll.
Despite the status and eminence of the throne he occupies Oba Ajiboye lll is ever courteous, accords respect and never cocky. He is an extraordinary personification of humility. Aresa throne is an ancient throne revered in Yorubaland alongside Olugbon and Onikoyi thrones. They rank high in the traditional hierarchy, a combination of adversity and mischance that induced a small reversal in fortune never diminished the thrones.
Photos of the courtesy visit by the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III on Friday (which was described by the later as unscheduled), showing Oba Ajiboye bowing unpretentiously to the Soun outside and inside the palace touches the heart. It is meekness in action. He courageously rose above the weight of history and tradition to transport himself to the present era. He is a an inimitable model. A man of peace and love, never driven by superiority air or animosity.
We once interviewed him at The Insight newspaper when Iresapupa was granted the grace to be the temporary site of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede early 2021. Oba Ajiboye won our heart that day because of his demeanour and uncomplicated nature. He narrated briefly how he has ruled his land since coming on the throne. He is over thirty years on the throne now. He said he never had issue with the immediate past Soun His Imperial Majesty Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who joined his ancestors in December 2021, that he enjoyed a very cordial relationship with him. “If Kabiyesi Soun has important occasions l go to felicitate him and offer well wishes and gifts. And he likes and respects me. And he never opposes me or Iresapupa in anything. I don’t fight over superiority.”
He added that he swings well with the politicians and that he embraces both the high and the low, stressing, “It is part of why my domain is witnessing growth.” Oba Ajiboye never gets influenced to fight anyone but he always stands by the principles he believes in. Aresapa didn’t attend the meetings of traditional rulers called by Oba Olaoye early in his reign but he had his reasons, according to what l heard, and not that he has any misgivings against the Soun and not on the basis of superiority contest. One other thing is that he is never a selfish individual, never covetous of land or anything.
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Oba Ajiboye sitting on the throne of Iresapupa the twin town of Iresadudu has been a blessing. This is because under his rule the community has witnessed tremendous growth and development. And l make bold to submit that this is down to his legendary simplicity and forthrightness. The town is now a seat of a polytechnic since 2021 even though on a temporary basis (it is certain when Ayede Poly relocates to its permanent site at Ayede town that place will not be allowed to lie waste); it also hosts a thriving Navy Secondary School; a national youth centre, part of which is being occupied by the Ayede Poly; has dams built for it for crop and fish productions and is suffused with other developmental indices. He has also succeeded in building a befitting palace. He maintains good relationship with others which yields him and his community good returns and favours. There is no doubt that under him Iresapupa will further be dotted with developmental projects because God rewards people with good heart with the desires of their heart.
Your Majesty publicly bestowing such honour on the Soun despite all, does not detract from you, rather it shows the stuff you are made of and l pray you will continue to reap the benefits personally and collectively.
Kabiyesi Aresapa Ajiboye lll, you are indeed a quintessential personality and monarch. Long may you reign.
