HRH OBA SIKIRU KAYODE ADEFUWAPE OKURIBIDO: THE BIRTH OF NEW MONARCH, NEW CHAPTER, NEW DAWN IN IDOWA.

Idowa, an ancient town, is located in the Leguru axis of Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. The town, according to history, was founded about 484 years ago by the 13th Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Owa Otutubiosun, who later became the Dagburewe of Idowa.

Since then, Idowa had witnessed the reign of monarchs who ascended the throne of their progenitors usually after more than one decade after the passing of the incumbent. The immediate past monarch, HRH (Late) Oba Yinusa Oladele Adekoya, OON MICMC, JP was installed almost 11 years after the demise of his predecessor, HRH Oba E. A. Olaneye. After his installation, there was a legal tussle for another 11 years until the matter was finally laid to rest at Nigeria's Apex Court in Abuja. After development-filled three decades of reign, Oba Y. O. Adekoya joined his ancestors in March, 2023. His passing paved way for the traditional 3-month mourning rites after which the succession process began.

Pertinent to note that many among the past Dagburewes were not Idowa-based but the immediate past with his co-contestant, Otunba A.L.A Owoyemi FCA were Idowa-based. However, when the succession race was declared open, 11 contestants vied for the coveted royal seat of Dagburewe. Alas, the God-chosen and people-supported aspirant, Prince Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape Okuribido gloriously emerged barely one year after the passing of his predecessor, the first of its kind in the anal of Oba's succession bid in Idowa. He was duly and unanimously elected by the 5 kingmakers in Idowa namely: Chief Bayo Ogunlaja (Modisa), Chief Suraju Niyi Adebambo (Kakanfo), Chief Taiwo Oyebode (Oluwo), Chief J. Olubayo Osonaike JP (Lapoekun) and Chief Kole Badejo (Akonioran) using the popular Babangida's option A4 voting system. The history of his emergence was made on a fateful Friday, 24th November, 2023 while his presentation of staff of office was carried out on Wednesday, 24th January, 2024. What a destiny the new brand Oba has with number 24!

Between November 24, 2023 and January 24, 2024, a lot of unprecedented developmental agenda had been witnessed in Idowa. Firstly, scholarship was awarded to 4 indigenes to study any course of their choice at Koladaisi University, Ibadan, Oyo State, a privately-owned citadel of learning. The federal government sponsored social investment register was reopened for another 100 Idowa indigenes to benefit from.

After his being elected, he assembled Idowa youths for talks on the need to re-strategize, rebrand and rehabilitate them with a view to making them job creators rather than waiting endlessly as job seekers. Following from this, Idowa TV was created by Ariyo Osofuye with Balogun Adeolu as Technical Coordinator while Hon. Chief Olatunji Yusuf Olusanya, the Sobaloju of Idowa acts as general overseer. The agelong Idowa Health Centre under rehabilitation was commissioned simultaneously with Gbogunmi Ministry, specially created to put smiles on the faces of the downtrodden and less-privileged.

An health outreach was conducted by the same ministry attending to ailments ranging from eye test, sugar levels, hypertension, to those involving surgical operations. Over 1000 people benefitted from the health programme.

Besides, another scholarship award involving payment of WAEC registration fees of some indigent but promising students of Idowa origin in various public and private schools within and outside the town was unfolded..

The emergence of HRH Oba Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape Okuribido Okulote II, Anowoneyo IV as the Dagburewe of Idowa Kingdom has in no small measure opened a new chapter and new dawn in the anals of the town. His human capital development agenda is siqua non in the history of the town. Other empowerment schemes in the pipeline are numerous and will be unfolded in the next couple of months.

Kabiyesi, as long as you remain on the seat of your forefathers, may Allah continue to guide you, provide you with the Solomonic wisdom to steer the ship of the community. He will always strengthen you, bless you and jealously watch over your activities and household. We have started witnessing the long awaited facelifts in Idowa, it shall never cease to flourish.

With recent significantly ground-breaking and unrivalled turn of events, we implore all other well-meaning sons and daughters of Idowa to come home and rally round the brand new but well-intentioned monarch for greater development.

Chief Sakiru Alowonle Sunmola (SAS).
The Mayegun of Idowa.