There was jubilation in Iresa-Adu, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State on Monday as the Oba-designate, Prince Adebayo Kayode, arrived the ancient town to a rousing welcome from residents.
The names of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde and the Oba-Designate Adebayo Kayode, the newly chosen Aresa of Iresa-Adu, Surulere LGA, Oyo State, has been the songs on the lips of people across Iresa-Adu
The arrival, which was broadcast live on social media, drew large crowds of community members, members of the royal family and stakeholders who had converged at the Taki Roundabout in Ogbomoso to receive him.
Prince Kayode was ushered into the town in a long convoy with a heavy security escort comprising the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local security outfits and others. The journey from Ogbomoso into Iresa-Adu township lasted about 40 minutes.
Videos from the live broadcast showed men, women, youths and children trooping out of their homes to cheer the convoy, with youths at Iresa-Apa intercepting the vehicles in celebration.
Chants of “Adebayo de” meaning “Adebayo has arrived” rented the air, while some residents chanted “Omituntun 3.0” and “Seyi lo seyi” in apparent praise of Governor Seyi Makinde for his role in filling the stool said to have been vacant since the demise of the former occupant, Oba Jimoh Oloyede, in 2018.
The Oba-designate first stopped at his family compound, the Oyeku House, inside Iresa-Adu, where an overwhelming crowd surrounded his vehicle. Security operatives had to form a chain to create a passage for him into the house. On stepping out, he was greeted with cheers, songs and drumming.
After a brief stop, the convoy proceeded to his private residence. En route, Prince Kayode made a stop at the burial site of the late Aresa-Adu, Oba Jimoh Oloyede, where he offered prayers and bowed in respect – a gesture described by onlookers as a show of humility.
On arrival at his residence, the large crowd followed him into the compound where he addressed them, prayed for the town and urged them to go home peacefully.
He reiterated his slogan, “Iresa Shall Be Great Again.”
