…Ogaga calls for revamping of Specialist Hospital
Adebayo Adenrele
It was a moment of glitz and glamour on Saturday as Ikere-Ekiti unleashed the Ojude Oba Vibes during its Odun Oba Festival 2025 and the 10th coronation anniversary of Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom, Oba Adejimi Alagbado.
The celebration which converged thousands of sons and daughters, well wishes, culture lovers, academics, religious leaders, among others was held in the state-of-the-art palace of Ogoga, with every attendees clad in their distinctive and colourful regalia.
The festival themed: “The Crown, The Cultured The Legacy – A Decade of Impact”, also brought together different associations and ethics groups, including Igala, Sasa communities, political and cultural groups, to pay homage to the Monarch as well as display of culture dance and masquerade performances.
However, the Governor of the state, Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, were absent from the colourful event, with no government representative in attendance, despite Afuye being an indigene of the town.
During the festival, Ogoga of Ikere Kingdom, Oba Adejimi Alagbado called on the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji to as a matter of urgency revive the state-owned Specialist Hospital in the town which according to him has been sidelined and abandoned.
Oba Alagbado, who acknowledged the giants strides of the governor in several sectors, such as the reconstruction of Ikere-Igbara Odo road, Ikere-Ilawe road and ongoing repair of Ikere-Ise road, appealed to the Governor to also prioritise the health and welfare of his people by bringing it back to life.
The Monarch said it drives sense of history which drives their efforts towards the restoration of the unity and orientation of the kingdom.
He said, “I also want to express our gratitude to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his all-encompassing development and infrastructural renewal from which Ikere continues to benefit. We commend the reconstruction of Ikere-Igbara Odo Road, Ikere-llawę Road, the ongoing repair of Ikere-Ise Road. We also appreciate the works on some of our farmstead roads especially the Imola Farm Road.
“I equally want to seize this opportunity to appeal to our Governor to please do something about the only Government Hospital The Specialist Hospital in Ikerę which from all indications has been sidelined if not abandoned by the State Ministry of Health”.
A renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Wole Olanipekun hailed the Monarch for his immensed contributions, saying Ikere Kingdom has experienced monumental progress across all facets of life since his ascension to the throne of his forebears.
While congratulating the indigenes and residents of the town, he urged them to be instrumental and useful by contributing their quota to the growth and development of Ikere.
Other highlights of the festival was conferment of Chieftaincy titles on notable personalities such as Senator Mohammed Sani representing Niger East Senatorial District as Bobasua of Ikere Kingdom, DIG Abiodun Alabi (Rtd) as Fiwajoye of Ikere Kingdom, Engr Ayodele Igbekele as Aare Atuluse of Ikere Kingdom and Afolabi Ojuawo as Akorewolu of Ikere Kingdom.
Speaking with journalists, DIG Alabi (Rtd) and Engr Igbekele, expressed their delight at the conferment, with a promise to contribute immensely to the growth and development of the town.
