Ayetoro Budo-Ota Agog As Oba Adewunmi Odutala Celebrates 3rd Coronation Anniversary

Oba Adwunmi Adeniji Odutala

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA - The ancient town of Ayetoro Budo-Ota was a beehive of activities last week as all sons, daughters, and notable personalities, both at home and in the diaspora converged on the palace of His Royal Highness, Oba Adewunmi Odutala, the Onibudo of Ayetoro Budo-Ota to celebrate the first Ayetoro Budo Day and 3rd coronation anniversary of the Royal father on the throne.

The sprawling cityscape was busy with festivities for the five-day event marked to commemorate the three years on the throne of the royal father.

From the entrance of the community, the presence of security personnel stationed at every strategic location signalled the ambience of celebration mood.

Every household in the community was seen in joyous mood with canopy and blast of music from every corner with commemorative banner to indicate celebration of their revered King.

Traditional drummers performing during the anniversary

Oba Odutala, young, eloquent energetic, cerebral, go-getter, socialite, but God-fearing is an evangelist in the garden of God.

Oba Odutala is the first coronet monarch in the history of the over 400years community in Ado-Odo Ota local government area of Ogun state. He was among the 75 coronet Obas installed by Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration in 2019 which was challenged by Governor Dapo Abiodun administration.

The matter has been struck out and all the 75 coronet Oba have been legitimately confirmed authentic by the court of competent jurisdiction.

Free eye test for the aged

Speaking on the importance of the celebration, Oba thanked God for His faithfulness on the throne in the last three years being a youthful King.

He alluded his peaceful reign on the throne to the support of his council chiefs and people.

Since Oba Odutala was installed as the royal father of the community, he had improved upon the security architecture of the community by building police station and construction of security post for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) including the So-Safe security post.

Similarly, Oba Odutala ensure regular grading of the deplorable community road for free flow of traffic. 

Speaking with THE ENCOUNTER NEWS crew during the weeklong celebration, Oba Adewunmi Odutala appealed to federal government to empower traditional rulers in the country with constitutional role to salvage the country from the ceaseless insecurity challenges.

Oba Odutala made the appeal at the weekend during his 3rd year coronation anniversary held in his palace.

Oba Odutala opined that if the government could give traditional rulers autonomy control overbtheir domains, it would reduce security threats confronting the country.

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club added colour to the celebration

According to him, the traditional rulers are familiar with their domains and know every one living in their communities, saying it would be difficult for an alien to migrate to the community without the knowledge of the monarch controlling the domain.

He said, when such law is passed, the traditional rulers should be answerable directly to the state governor.

"It is when the government learn to recognize the importance of traditional rulers, then the country will know peace. Every traditional ruler knows everybody in their community.

The medical outreach

"The security problem in Nigeria today is because the Kings are not recognized. We are not given the rightful position, it is during the election period that they recognize us. They come around, pay homage and after election, they are no more. It is another four years and they will come back.

"I am clamouring for it, let the government give us constitutional role, let us have independent power to manage our community, and let us be accountable to the governor directly. Position of a king is too much to be ceremonial."

Speaking on the new traditional law for burial rite of traditional rulers in Ogun state recently passed by the State House of Assembly, Oba Odutala said the new law would encourage many religious leaders to get involved in traditional institutions.

He said, "To me, it is a welcome development. It is a dream come true for me. I'm a Christian and by the grace of God, I never practiced any other religion. This act has deprived so many of us of accepting to become a king in our fathers land.

"That law to me is a welcome development. We pray over it and God answered our prayer. My culture should not be mixed with my religion. Because I'm a king, I should not be diabolical. 

"Becoming a king should not force me to be diabolical. This law is the best thing this administration has done to the chieftaincy institution."

Oba Odutala and Olori

Meanwhile, the five days coronation witnessed free medical outreach including free cancer screening, free eye surgery for 36 aged, free malaria treatment, and the installation of honorary chiefs.

The colourful celebration was filled with funfare as popular Fuji star, Alhaji Sefiu Alao Adekunle Cardozo thrilled guests with his poetic music.