Osi Stool Recognition: Oba David Olajide Extols Akeredolu, celebrates New Yam Festival
By Dupson Collins, 27th August, 2022
The Iresi of Osi Community in Akure North Local Government Area Council, Oba David Olajide Okunato has extolled the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the recognition of Osi by the State Government.
Speaking with the PATH Correspondent during the 2022 New Yam Festival in Osi, the Monarch commended the governor for remembering Osi and other communities with elevations and recognition of their various Stools.
Governor Akeredolu recently recognized sixty traditional stools which Osi is one of them in addition to upgrading one hundred monarchs across the state.
Oba Olajide noted that, since ancesion on the throne, Osi Community has experienced rapid transformation, saying with the recognition of Osi Stool by the government of Ondo State, it will further usher in more good things to the ancient town.
Speaking on the New Yam Festival, he stated that the festival marks the beginning of the royal family eating new Yam, saying it is forbidden for any member of the Royal family to eat New Yam before the festival.
His words: ” The New Yam Festival is strictly the festival of the Royal House. It is my festival which the whole community will celebrate with me. It was a tradition that span over 600 years because it’s as old as Osi Community itself”.
Adding colour to the festival was the honour bestowed on the Monarch by the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria, FIBAN, Ondo state chapter, as Associate Member of the association.
Speaking, the Chairman of FIBAN in Ondo state, Comrade Femi Oguntuase, who led a delegation to the festival described Oba Olajide as an uncommon monarch whose dedication to the development of his town is second to none.
Oguntuase stated that, the monarch laudable achievement in infrastructures and community development deserve commendation.
While thanking the association for the honour, Oba Olajide promised to serve his people the more, saying the reward for hard work is more work.
” I will not rest my oars in giving my best for the good of the Osi kingdom; it is my responsibility to always champion what will bring rapid development to my community. We are counting on government to comes to our aid mostly on roads and I believe Mr Governor will remember us very soon”.
Meanwhile, the New Yam Festival was attended by notable traditional rulers, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly,Rt Hon Samuel Aderoboye, Former Chairman of OSOPADEC, Barrister Gbenga Edema, Ondo State FIBAN Ledaers, led by Comrade Femi Oguntuase among others.
