NOT even the heavy downpour, yesterday, could stop residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital from trooping out to witness the traditional coronation of their monarch, the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida.
Adesida entered the palace weeks after he was announced as the new royal father for the ancient town.
Residents in their hundreds of thousands, defied the torrential rainfall, to witness the completion of the traditional rites leading to the Adesida’s ascension to the throne of his forebears as the 46th and the fifth in line of Adesida lineage to ascend the throne.
The new nonarch had undertaken three traditional rites leading to his ascension as the Deji as he had been kept at the Asamo’s palace for seven days, after he was brought from the farm and stayed in his father’s house for nine days to observe the traditional Arapon’s rites before yesterday’s rites.
As early as 9 a.m., Oba Adesida had left his father’s house for the Omolare’s palace where he had gone to pay homage to his predecessors.
The Omolare’s palace is the burial site of all the monarchs before him.
He made the last appearance to the Asamo’s palace from where he went to the Elemo’s palace.
At the Elemo’s palace, Adesida underwent tutorials on the ‘dos and don’ts’ in the palace.
The new monarch also proceeded to the Alakunre’s Groove and later to Ejio’s house where he collected his beads, before proceeding to Ooye’s house where the monarch and his eldest daughter were crowned.
He climbed the historical Okiti Omolore with his eldest daughter, Princess Adetutu, before entering the palace.
Amid thunderous applause from the people, the new monarch, who was accompanied by his wife, Olori Mojisola, was dressed in complete royal apparel with a cap to match and a horsetail with which he responded to the applause.
Yesterday’s coronation coincided with the Adesida’s 60th birthday anniversary.
Many residents, high chiefs and well-wishers dressed in various attires looked on in admiration and dancing as the new Adesida, a trained agriculturist, entered the palace.
In his short speech, he prayed that his reign would usher in peace, progress and peaceful coexistence of all the people in the town.
He promised to cooperate with government to bring about the rapid development of his domain.Source; Babatope Okwowo, Compass
