Acceptance Speech Delivered By His Royal Majesty, Oba Olusola Idris Adebowale Lamidi-Osolo, (ANIMN, MCIHRM, MIPMA), Òténíbòtèmólè II, Ìlúfémilóyè, on the occasion of the Presentation of the Staff of Office to him as the Olofin Adimula Oòduà of Adó Odò Kingdom, Àwórì land, by the Government of Ogun State.
Ki ti gbé o, èyin ọmu Olúwewun!!!
Let’s observe a minute silence for my dear brother, Dr Lamidi Akeem (Osaro )
May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen
Your Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, Governor of Ogun State, Your Excellency, Engr Noimot SALAKO oyedele, Commisioners present here today, distinguished guests, esteemed members of the community, ladies and gentlemen,
It is with profound gratitude to Almighty God and humility that I stand before you today as the Olofin of Adó Odò Kingdom, Àwórì Land. As I receive this instrument of appointment and the sacred staff of office from the hands of people’s Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, ably represented by the honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Ganiyu Hamzat and other esteemed dignitaries, I am reminded of the weight of responsibility that now rests upon my shoulders.
Ado Odò Kingdom, with its rich history dating back to around 1050AD, stands as a testament to the resilience and strength of the Àwórì people. We are not just a kingdom; we are the foremost and unconquered bastion of the Àwórì heritage and culture.
Our journey to this moment has not been without trials. For more than three decades, we were with internal strife, navigating the turbulent waters of Obaship tussles that plunged us into a period of interregnum spanning over two decades. Today, I stand before you as the successor to the Late Olofin Akanni, determined to lead our kingdom into a new era of prosperity and unity.
As we reflect on the legacies of the past Olofin of Ado Odo from inception, let us not forget the sacrifices they made for our beloved community. Their unwavering dedication to the well-being and progress of Adó Odò Kingdom serves as a guiding light for us all. Today, I stand before you ready to continue the noble work our past and highly respected monarchs began, to build upon the foundations they laid and to honor their memories through my service to our people.
To those who may have found themselves at odds with me during the struggles of the past, I extend a hand of fellowship. We cannot afford to dwell on past divisions; instead, we must look to the future with unity and determination. I declare that it is time for us to set aside our differences and come together as one cohesive force, united in our commitment to the prosperity and advancement of Adó Odò Kingdom.
Therefore, let it be known that the factions that once divided us are now relics of the past. With immediate effect, I consign them to the waste bin of history. From this day forward, we are a united and indivisible entity, bound by our shared heritage and common goals.
I call upon all members of our community to join hands with me in piloting the affairs of our kingdom. We are not unaware of the challenges ahead, but with unity, determination and a shared vision, there is nothing we cannot overcome. Together, let us chart a course towards a brighter future for Adó Odò, where everyone can thrive and flourish.
Permit me to extend my deepest gratitude to the influential sons and daughters of our kingdom who stood unwaveringly by my side during Obaship struggle. From Alh Kamar Yusuf , Personal Assistant on special duties to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , Dr Sulaiman Adegboyega Lateef, Head of Chemistry department, Crescent University, Abeokuta. Alh Arebi Kazeem, Hon Musefiu Olatunji Lamidi ,other members of In-house platform, Prince Osolo Olusola friends and family’s and other members of the public who stood firm, throughout the process of my emergence .Your steadfast support has been the cornerstone of our success.
I am not oblivious of my cardinal duties as a traditional monarch, which is to protect, project and propagate our culture, tradition and history while also giving a premium to other religions without prejudice. On this premise, I hereby declare the reinstatement of our tradition and culture with immediate effect in order to project them to the world better than before.
As I ascend this sacred throne, I pledge to devote every ounce of my being to the betterment of Adó Odò. Together, we will restore our kingdom to its former glory, ushering in an era of prosperity, peace and progress for all our people.
In closing, let us offer a prayer for the continued prosperity and well-being of our beloved kingdom. And to all those present, I wish you a safe journey back to your homes.
Àmùwà á gbèwá o!
His Royal Majesty, Oba Olusola Idris Adebowale Lamidi-Osolo (ANIMN, MCIHRM, MIPMA), Òténíbòtèmólè II, Ìlúfémilóyè
30th March, 2024
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