The agrarian border community of Agbele-Asa in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State erupted in jubilation on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as the state government formally presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the community’s first monarch, His Royal Highness, Oba Rahmon Ajibade Abisekan, the Alagbele of Agbele-Asa Kingdom (Ile Igbo I).
The historic ceremony, held at the Local Government Primary School field in Asa, brought to an end decades of agitation for the recognition of the traditional institution, with residents expressing optimism that the development would pave the way for accelerated infrastructural, economic and social development.
The Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment were presented on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Rotimi-Olu Akinlesi, who represented the Commissioner, Hon. Ganiyu Oladunjoye Hamzat.
For 97-year-old community leader, Otunba Ephraim Lana Akintan, the occasion represented the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
Akintan, who described the monarch’s installation as a moment of personal accomplishment, commended Governor Abiodun for giving official recognition to the long-awaited traditional stool.
“That Governor Abiodun successfully installed Oba Abisekan as the Alagbele of Agbele-Asa makes me feel accomplished in life,” he said.
Also expressing appreciation to the governor, prominent community leader and Chairman of IBD IMPEX QUARRY LTD, Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, described the installation as a major turning point in the history of Agbele-Asa.
“Help me to thank my Governor, our listening Governor Dapo Abiodun, MFR,” Egungbohun said.
He noted that the emergence of Oba Abisekan was significant not only to Agbele-Asa but to Yewaland, Ketuland and Ogun State, expressing confidence that the new monarch would deploy his position to drive development across the kingdom.
Egungbohun also commended the people of Agbele-Asa for maintaining unity throughout the process, while acknowledging the contributions of Otunba Akintan and other individuals and groups who worked towards the realisation of the traditional institution.
In a political dimension to the event, the lawmaker representing Yewa North II State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Haruna Wahab Egungbohun, urged the people to sustain their support for the APC consensus candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, HRM Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Gbadewole, represented by the Olu of Imasai, HRM Oba (Dr.) Lukmon Olalekan Kuoye, formally welcomed Oba Abisekan into the Council of Yewa Traditional Rulers.
Oba Olugbenle charged the new monarch to embrace all residents of Agbele-Asa and promote peaceful coexistence, stressing that peace and security remain fundamental to sustainable community development.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Abisekan described his emergence as a call to service and a commitment to usher in an era of greater development, peace and unity in Agbele-Asa Kingdom.
The monarch expressed appreciation to Governor Abiodun for recognising and validating the choice of the people, pledging to work closely with the state government and other stakeholders to attract critical infrastructure, strengthen security and create economic opportunities for the border community.
He also appealed to sons and daughters of Agbele-Asa, both at home and in the diaspora, to unite behind the new traditional institution and contribute to the development of the kingdom.
The ceremony was characterised by a rich display of Yoruba culture and tradition, with cultural troupes entertaining guests and residents throughout the event.
The Bolojo cultural troupe thrilled the crowd with energetic performances, while local hunters fired ceremonial gunshots into the air to herald the arrival of the monarch.
Earlier, the rhythmic sound of the legendary Gbedu drums filled the venue as royal bards rendered ancestral praise chants to formally invite the new monarch to receive his Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment.
The colourful ceremony attracted religious leaders, members of the Council of Chiefs, representatives of the Otunba Lana Akintan Human Rights Foundation (OLAKHURF), market men and women, as well as various socio-cultural associations, with celebrations continuing into the night.
