Adeboye, Adeleke, others celebrate Osun monarch at 90 – Punch Newspapers
Dignitaries gathered in Ikire, Osun State, to celebrate Oba Olatunde Falabi’s 90th birthday and his 30th year on the throne as the Akire of Ikire Kingdom.
The three-day celebration, according to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Thursday, featured a host of events, drawing prominent figures, including Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ojo Abiodun.
Other attendees included Senator Lere Oyewumi, Hon. Abiola Inaolaji of the Osun 8th Assembly, and several state commissioners.
Traditional rulers such as the Olokuku of Okuku, Alapomu of Apomu, and Olowu of Owu were also present, alongside notable Ikire indigenes from within and outside Nigeria.
The celebrations culminated in a thanksgiving service on Sunday, where Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God congratulated Oba Falabi on his peaceful reign and landmark achievements over three decades.
He prayed for continued peace in the kingdom and encouraged attendees to seek a life guided by the fear of God.
Adeleke, who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ojo Abiodun, in his message also showered encomium on the monarch whose reign, many testified at the event, has transformed Ikireland with landmark developments both in infrastructure, economically, educationally and politically.
He highlighted Ikire’s distinction as one of the few towns in Osun State with a serving senator, commissioner, and state assembly member.
He urged the people of Ikire to maintain unity and support the monarch for continued progress.
“Other speakers extolled the great virtue of Oba Falabi in different spheres of life. Senator Lere Oyewumi now a first class chief in Ikireland, for instance, lauded the monarch for his encouragement and urged indigenes to further embrace politics.
“He recalled those days when people were begged to take up political positions in Ikire. The situation, he said, has changed following his own entry into politics, saying many educated Ikire indigenes are now in politics today,” the statement read.
The birthday celebration began on Friday, January 17, with a prayer session followed by a Jumaat service at the central mosque.
This was followed by a special reception on Saturday while the event was rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the RCCG Province 11 Headquarters, Ikire.
Oba Falabi is also a pastor of the RCCG.
Prominent indigenes were honoured during the occasion for their contributions to Ikire’s development.
Among them were High Chief Omo Apesin and Senator Kamorudeen Oyewumi, who were elevated to First-Class Chiefs in the Akire-in-Council.
Born on January 20, 1935, to the family of Prince Saliu Omoboyede and Madam Ajibola Olugun Falabi, Oba Olatunde Falabi, the Lanbeloye III, was a renowned pharmacist, entrepreneur, and farmer before ascending the throne.
He served as the CEO of Oba Falabi (Nig.) Ltd and Commercial Manager at ROCHE (Nig.) Ltd, Lagos.
He is also a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.
