By Kayode Adeoti
Fresh revelation emerged last night that the kingmakers may name the next Olomu of Omu-Aran two days after the thanksgiving ceremony for the departed Oba Charles Oladele Ibitoye, Adogbajele bi Ileke.
The final outing and thanksgiving service for the late Olomu will hold on Saturday as contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the outing and thanksgiving service of the late monarch, Mr Job Afolayan.
The service, according to the statement, will hold 10:00 am at the Cathedral Church, St Paul, Omu-Aran while the entertainment of guests will follow immediately at St Paul’s Primary School field, Omu-Aran, the statement added.
The late Oba Ibitoye joined his ancestors on December 1, 2017 after a brief illness, at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital aged 64.
His corpse was laid to rest at the Omu-Aran Central Palace on December 13, 2017 after an interdenominational service held in his honour, the statement added.
According to a prominent son of the community who does not want to be named, the renovation of the palace which included replacement of ceilings, tiles and electrical fittings is geared towards making the facility a befitting one for the incoming monarch to be named after final burial rites for Oba Ibitoye.
The renovation of the palace, which started about a month ago, this medium gathered, was being funded by the Omu-Aran Development Association in conjunction with the Olomu-in-Council Petu Tajero, Chief Festus Awoniyi.
The source said the kingmakers will hold its first official meeting after the demise of Oba Ibitoye to consider naming the next monarch of the town.
Meanwhile, among the front-runners for the throne, this medium gathered, is a lecturer at the Department of Business Administration, University of Ilorin, Dr. Jimoh Oladipo, whose wealth of experience in teaching could be an added advantage.
Also likely to be considered from the same ruling house is, Prince Abdulazeez Olawuyi, a principal at the Muslim Secondary College (MUSECO), Igbaja.
Another prospect for the exalted position is Prince Samuel Abolarin, a retired principal of Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran who is currently the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman of Ifaja ward. He is described as someone who could manage the affairs of the community considering his amiable nature.
Others are Prince Adedayo Onifade, who hails from Ijoko and retired at the presidency, Abuja, he may be favoured looking his influence also on the lineup is affluence and the Executive Secretary of the state Town Planning and Development Authority, Raheem Adeoti, also from Ijoko compound. The latter’s candidature according to feelers from the community may stem from the fact that Adeoti will be able to use his influence to the benefit of the community.
