By Our Reporter
The Ojomu of Ajiranland, HRM Oba Tijani Akinloye, has conducted the ibori (installation) ceremony for the new Baale of Igbo Efon, Alhaji Chief (Prince) Tajudeen Isiaka Olukolu.
The ceremony which took place on Sunday night in Ojomu palace, Ajiran was attended by well wishers, members of Igbo Efon community, Ojomu council of chiefs as well as other Baales in Eti-Osa communities.
The Ibori ceremony which is the confirmation of appointment and spiritual blessing of the Baale ended the interregnum created by the death of the former Baale.
The new Baale until Sunday night had acted as the acting Baale on the appointment of Oba Ojomu, following the death of former Baale, Chief Semiu Abogun earlier in the year.
It will be recalled that the late Semiu Abogun made futile attempt to be elevated from Baale to Oba of Igbo Efon as the Lagos State Chieftaincy Tribunal declared that the late Semiu Abogun and the Abogun family generally were not of Royal blood or lineage known to any Yorubaland, and therefore, could not become Oba.
Meanwhile, the Olukolu’s Royal lineage to the Ojomu stool through the Oluge Branch was confirmed by the Tribunal which also admonished the Abogun for not carrying along the Olukolu and Jinadu families.
The appointment ceremony which was assisted by the chiefs including the Odofin of Ajiran Land , Chief Nurudeen Odofin, was greeted with pomp and pageantry in the community.
After the ceremony on Sunday night , Baale Olukolu moved to Igbo Efon where he went round in the community to acknowledge cheers from different groups including women, youths and residents of the community.
The new Baale was at one time the Community Development Association CDA chairman of Igbo Efon, and later the Community Development Committee CDC Chairman of Eti-Osa generally. He was also an elected councillor as well as a supervisor in the old Eti-Osa Local Government in the 90s.
Cross section of the community who spoke to media about the new Baale said they expect his reign to bring peace and tranquillity to the community considering his wealth of experience in community service.
Congratulatory messages have since started pouring in from interest groups including Irepodun Club of Eti-Osa, Eti-Osa Indigenes Forum, Eti-Osa Heritage Organisation, and others.
When our correspondent sought to speak to the new Baale on Monday, he was said to be attending the usual Ose-Iga ceremony with Oba Akinloye and other Baales as well as other chiefs, in Ajiran.
Igbo-Efon Community is very central to the Eti-Osa community as it is the location of the Headquarters of Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
