President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko in Ondo State, on the upcoming Ihare festival, which also coincides with the monarch’s birthday.
The Ihare festival, an initiation into the elders’ council, is to take place on November 29. It serves as the highlight of cultural celebrations commemorating the 82nd birthday of the revered Olubaka.
Before ascending the throne of his forebears in 1987, the monarch had an illustrious career in the Lagos judiciary, where he rose to the rank of Chief Magistrate after serving in all the judicial divisions of Lagos State.
He is a pioneer member of the National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria and represented Nigeria as Amirul Hajj to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on three different occasions.
He also served as the chairman of the Council of Obas in Ondo State and the pioneer chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University.
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President, President Tinubu joined the people of Oka-Akoko and Ondo State in celebrating the Renaissance monarch. He described Oba Adeleye as a principled, wise, and courageous leader.
The President recalled Olubaka’s counsel during the 2022/2023 presidential campaign and thanked him for consistently exemplifying fairness, character and fatherly leadership.
The President also prayed that His Imperial Majesty will live to see many more prosperous and peaceful years on the throne. He wished him a happy birthday and a fulfilling Ihare celebration.
