Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke were among the high-profile guests who stormed the Owa Obokun-busi Hall in Ilesa on Friday for the coronation of Oba Adesuyi Haastrup as the 49th Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
The event attracted an array of political, traditional and business leaders from across the country. Minister of marine and blue economy and former Osun State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola; former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; billionaire businessman Deji Adeleke; Senator Francis Fadahunsi; and Yeye Dupe Sani-Adeleke also graced the occasion.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, led a delegation of traditional rulers to the historic event. Among them were the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi; and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Laoye.
The festivities leading to the coronation had kicked off ten days earlier and climaxed with a grand finale filled with cultural splendour, traditional rites, colourful regalia and jubilant celebration.
School pupils waving flags and excited residents gathered in large numbers in front of the palace, eagerly anticipating the official crowning of their new monarch.
Oba Haastrup, a former deputy governor of Osun State, was selected as the 49th Owa Obokun on December 27, 2024, by the kingmakers of Ilesa West Local Government.
He succeeds the late Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, who passed away on September 11, 2024, at the age of 87.
Haastrup hails from the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House and emerged as the Owa-elect following a selection process at the Ilesa West council secretariat.
His emergence was challenged in court by the Arimoro family of the same ruling house.
However, an Osun State High Court in Ilesa, presided over by Justice M. Agboola, declined to halt the coronation, stating that issues concerning service of court processes on Haastrup must first be resolved before any application to stop the ceremony could proceed.
During the ceremony, Oba Haastrup was officially presented with the staff and paraphernalia of office. The presence of dignitaries and cultural icons at the event reinforced the significance of Ijesaland within the Yoruba cultural heritage and underscored the unity and pride of the Ijesa people.