64 Years On The Throne: Baptist Convention Honours Nigeria’s Longest Serving Monarch Onigede Of Igede Ekiti
History was made on 25th of July, 2023 at the Bowen University as the Nigerian Baptist Convention recognized and honoured the longest serving monarch in Nigeria; His Royal Majesty, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II (JP), Onigede of Igede Ekiti.
The Onigede of Igede-Ekiti received the prestigious Longest Serving Monarch in Nigeria Award (2023) having spent 64 years on the throne who was crowned on the 26th of June, 1959 as the Monarch of the town.
The paramount ruler of the ancient town of Igede-Ekiti, in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government of Ekiti State was honoured and appreciated for his contribution to the development of Igede-Ekiti and for being the longest serving monarch on the throne without blemish.
Oba Adelusi who ascended the throne of fore-fathers at age of 26 said to have demonstrated epitome of godliness in directing the affairs of his kingdom in the last 64 years on the throne.
The monarch’s years of reign witnessed series of tremendous, remarkable and viable progress with notable achievements to various facets of life in the area of education, healthcare, sanitation, politics, commerce, infrastructure and socio-cultural life.
The Onigede of Igede-Ekiti was accompanied to the venue of the program by others eminent traditional rulers across the states in Southwest of Nigeria and other chieftaincy holders from within and outside Ekiti State all fully dressed in their traditional ceremonial regalia to Oba Adelusi.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Bowen University Iwo, Professor Joshua Ogunwole said there are only few erudite and well-respected monarch in Nigeria who do not compromise their throne, adding that Onigede happens to be the longest serving monarch is a pride to entire Southwest and Nigeria as a whole.
Professor Ogunwole who described the royal fathers as custodian of culture and traditions urged the Federal Government to engage traditional rulers in order to strengthens security architecture of the country.
