By Sunday Olatunji, Ado-Ekiti
The Oore of Otun-Ekiti, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Odunayo Adekunle Adeagbo, has urged indigenes of Otun-Ekiti residing in Ado-Ekiti to uphold unity, love and oneness while promoting activities and initiatives that would bring progress and development to their hometown.
The monarch gave the charge on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Hotel Motif Suites & Bar, Adehun, Ado-Ekiti, venue of the fifth edition of the Otun Day celebration organised by the Ado-Ekiti branch of Egbe Omo Otun for indigenes of the town resident in the state capital.
Oba Adeagbo expressed appreciation to Otun indigenes across the world for their cooperation, support and commitment to the development of the ancient town.
He particularly commended the Ado-Ekiti branch of Egbe Omo Otun for being a pace-setter and consistently taking the lead in initiatives aimed at promoting the progress and development of Otun-Ekiti.
The monarch stressed the importance of collective responsibility, noting that greater development could be achieved when indigenes remained united and worked together towards the advancement of their ancestral home.
Oba Adeagbo therefore urged sons and daughters of Otun-Ekiti across the world to emulate the Ado-Ekiti branch of Egbe Omo Otun by establishing branches in their respective domains and coordinating their efforts towards contributing their quota to the development of the town.
He assured the people that Otun-Ekiti would continue to enjoy peace and tremendous growth during his reign, while praying for the continued progress and prosperity of the indigenes.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Egbe Omo Otun, Ado-Ekiti branch, Mr. Sesan Aina, congratulated members of the association for witnessing the fifth edition of the annual Ado-Ekiti Otun Day celebration.
Aina commended members for their support, commitment and cooperation, which he said had contributed significantly to the growth and progress of the association.
He expressed appreciation to the Oore of Otun-Ekiti; the Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Ajayi Adebisi; the Obamila of Otun-Ekiti; the Chairperson of the occasion and Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro, for graciously accepting to chair the event; special guests of honour; distinguished awardees; and well-wishers for honouring the invitation despite their busy schedules.
The chairman particularly appreciated the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for maintaining peace and tranquillity across the state, thereby creating a conducive environment for residents to thrive.
He also commended the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, and his chiefs for their hospitality and accommodation of non-indigenes residing in Ado-Ekiti.
“This annual celebration remained a cherished opportunity for us as sons and daughters of Otun-Ekiti to come together, celebrate our rich heritage,cultural values, and deliberate on ways of promoting the progress of the town and the wellbeing of our people”Aina said.
He praised the award recipients for their contributions to society, describing them as worthy ambassadors of Otun-Ekiti.
The chairman also appealed to the awardees, guests, friends and well-wishers to support the ongoing eatery project in Otun-Ekiti, describing it as an initiative capable of creating a sustainable community asset.
Aina further urged sons and daughters of Otun-Ekiti to remain actively involved in community development, support one another, preserve their culture and traditions, and inspire younger generations.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Ajayi Adebisi, and the Chairperson of the occasion, Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro, commended the Ado-Ekiti branch of Egbe Omo Otun for its unity of purpose, which they said had contributed to the progress of the town.
The Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Prof. Adubiaro, noted that sons and daughters of Otun-Ekiti had always occupied prominent positions of responsibility and distinguished themselves in such positions, urging them to sustain the tempo.
She appealed for support for the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, stressing the importance of collective efforts in advancing the development of Ekiti State.
The duo encouraged the indigenes to continue to engage in initiatives that would promote the progress, unity and sustainable development of Otun-Ekiti.
The event featured cultural displays, a ceremonial cake cutting, donations and the presentation of Distinguished Excellence Awards to outstanding indigenes and other personalities who had contributed significantly to the development and advancement of Otun-Ekiti.
Among the award recipients were a Professor of Geography and the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Wole Adebayo; Clerk of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Opeyemi Ajibola, Esq.; Chairman of the Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency, Hon. Olasunkanmi Onipede; Engr. Akinola Olayemi; Arc. Ebun Awoyemi; Mr. Femi Aburo; Hon. Bosun Fadeyi; Mrs. Adepeju Arifayan; and Mrs. Olusola Olosu, alongside other distinguished personalities.
Commenting on behalf of the awardees, Engr. Olayemi Akinola Babatunde appreciated Egbe Omo Otun for the recognition, assuring that the recipients would continue to contribute their quota to the development of Otun-Ekiti.
“This honour would further motivate us to do more and I appeal to members to remain united, focused and committed to initiatives that would further enhance the progress and development of our town”He stated .
The event was attended by prominent sons and daughters of Otun-Ekiti, including the Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr. Mrs. Funke Olomojobi; the National President of Egbe Omo Otun Worldwide, Elder Olalere Aburo; Dr. Mrs. Olasehinde of Ekiti State University; traditional chiefs from Otun-Ekiti; community leaders; senior government officials; politicians; and other dignitaries.
