Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday, urged the people of Owu kingdom in Ogun State to rally behind the new monarch of the ancient town.
Obasanjo, who is the Balogun of Owu kingdom, also prayed that he does not want to witness another Olowu of Owu, Abeokuta in his lifetime after the emergence of the new Oba.
Obasanjo said this shortly before he inaugurated a 300-man central planning committee for the installation and coronation ceremony for the new Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola.
The former president said his prayer was anchored on the fact that being an older man to the monarch, he would not wish to be alive witnessing another Olowu of Owu, Abeokuta.
Obasanjo who spoke in Yoruba said, “I pray I don’t witness another Olowu of Owu after our new Kabiyesi.
“What that means is that Kabiyesi will live long and as an old man, I will not be around when another Olowu will be installed.”
While inaugurating the committee led by a retired General, Ekundayo Opaleye, Obasanjo charged all the members of the Central Planning and sub-committees to work with sincerity of purpose.
He said the Owu kingdom has resolved to set a standard for the entire South West.
The former president urged sons and daughters of Owu both home and abroad and friends of Owu Kingdom to support the new monarch in bringing more development to their homes.
He said, “We are setting standard. The standard will be emulated by people in the South West region. Owu Kingdom is our collective responsibility. We must all cooperate with the new monarch.
“I am part of this because we want to incorporate the installation of our new king with our annual Odun Omo Olowu celebration.
“We have a lot to do for the development of Owu Kingdom. We want all Owu communities to know that we now have a new king on the throne. We are doing this to ensure that we take care of their interest.
“I urged all committee members to work together without any infighting that could stand as a clog in the wheel of progress.”
The Chairman, Central Planning Committee, said the constitution of members of the committee was an opportunity to serve and be part of history.
Opaleye said “We have a very big task at hand. You should count yourselves worthy that you a member of the committee for the inauguration of Oba Matemilola.
“We are expecting a lot from every member as we need your cooperation and contributions. You must all give all you have to all these committees,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of the Olowu of Owu Coronation Committee, Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi, highlighted the vision and mission of the new monarch in moving the entire Owu Kingdom forward.
He said that the new Olowu was poised to build on what his predecessors on the throne have achieved and break new grounds.
