By Charles Ayodele
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Abiodun Oyebanji has affirmed that the Paramount Ruler of Igede-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, His Royal Majesty, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru, the Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, is the longest reigning king in Nigeria.
The Governor made the affirmation while making a remark during the 90th birthday and sixty four years coronation anniversary service, held at Araromi Baptist Church, Igede-Ekiti, on Saturday.
According to Oyebanji, “to be 90-year-old either here in Nigeria or anywhere on earth, is a big deal, and to be sixty-four on the throne, “you are the longest. All that are contesting it are just wasting their time. Nobody can contest it and we thank God for your life”. The Governor stated.
In a separate interview the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, who has earlier centred his message on WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN GOD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR YOU? noted that, for one to be 90 year-old and to have been on the throne for 64 years is quite unusual. “God has done a great thing in Baba’s life and we all are witnesses”, said the President.
In his word, “baba is 90, that’s a record. Baba has been on the throne for 64 years but God can do more. God never put us in a position where He cannot do more for us and He doesn’t even want us to get to a position when we no longer need Him. Therefore, because will need Him, He can do more.
“God has done great things for baba but we pray that God will do greater things and I have told him to be expecting even greater things from God by keep asking God to do more. God can set a record in a person’s life, break the record and set another one.
“What God has done for the Kabiyesi, He has not done it for the Kabiyesi alone, but all the people of Igede-Ekiti by giving the monarch longevity in this generation to be 90 and by extension of time, 64 years on the throne in this nation where you have all kinds of conspiracies against leaders.
“I believe that the Igede people as a whole have been blessed, not only the Kabiyesi and because something great has happened in their midst, I want them all to continue to trust God that greater things shall happen. Said the man of God
Reverend Akanji explained that irrespective of what the situation is in Nigeria, that God can still restore their fortune like that of the people of Zion as recorded in the Bible. Just as he advised the celebrant to keep asking, he equally encourage everyone who came to celebrate with the traditional ruler to keep dreaming, keep asking, adding that they should keep sowing into people’s life as he assured that the harvest time would surely come.
The celebrant, Onigede of Igede-Ekiti while thanking the State governor for all he has been doing, said BAO has always been a helper and that God will continue to help him too.
The Kabiyesi who noted that, it’s God Himself that chose BAO to be the governor of the State considering the tremendous efforts he put as a secretary to the committee for the creation of Ekiti State.
He appreciated the Governor and prayed that God would see him through his tenure in office as he wishes him additional term and higher position again even after.
The monarch therefore sieze the opportunity to solicit the Governor’s support and that of everyone that came to celebrate with him towards the project he wants to execute for the Church which according to the monarch would cost ten million naira only.
Responding, the governor promised to personally foot the ten million naira project which the Kabiyesi wants to execute and that he would ensure it is completed by December this year for the Kabiyesi to commission it
“Baba has shown that he can be a king and serve the King of kings as demonstrated by the monarch when he came to my office having prayed for 45 minutes in spite of the fact that it was said to be a short prayer”. The Governor said.
Also, the President-General, Igede Progressive Union, Dr. Austin Ibikunle, who was highly happy and elated about the success of the occasion explained that, it’s not an easy thing for one to celebrate 90 years of age and 64 years coronation anniversary.
“The Kabiyesi we are celebrating happens to be the longest reigning monarch in Nigeria. The programme went successful. I feel fulfilled I must confess”.
Reacting to the request made by the church to restore Ekiti Baptist High School to the Missionary, Dr. Ibikunle stated that the intention of the church might probably be to restore the quality to which the school was known for before taking by the government.
“Igede-Ekiti happens to be the base of the Baptist in Ekiti if not Nigeria and nationally, the Baptist will be interested in sponsoring that just like the Catholic church. Basically, I believe they want to improve on the quality.
The President-General however prayed for more success and glorious outings of such in the town. Urging that the indigenes should remain united, focused and determined to ensure that the town keep progressing.