Your Excellency, Dr Olusegun Mimiko CON, the Governor of Ondo State and his amiable wife, Olukemi, Your Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Victor Ademefun Kiladejo Jilo III (CFR), the Osemawe and Paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom and Olori Olayinka, Your Royal Majesties and Royal Highnesses here present, the Chairman of the occasion, respective Chairman of Ondo West and Ondo East LGs, our revered High Chiefs, the Ukule, Elegbe and Ijama Chiefs, Opojis, Olojas, the Chairman and members of Ondo Development Committee, My Lords spiritual and temporal, gentlemen and ladies of the Press, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. I am excited and highly elated to welcome you to this epoch making occasion. I consider it as a rare privilege to be the coordinating chairman of the 10th year anniversary of the ascension of Oba Dr. Kiladejo to the throne of his fore-fathers. The Ekimoguns have been very fortunate with their monarchical dynasty and rich cultural heritage which started with the reign of Oba Aigho over 500 years ago.
Today is remarkable in the annals of history of the entire people of Ondo Kingdom. The kingdom and her good people have so much to celebrate in the leadership provided by a God chosen visionary monarch with unassailable mission and action. Ten years on, Abaiye has turned Ondo Kingdom to a place of pride among other Kingdoms in Nigeria. We all know what we had or how Ondo was about ten years ago when he received the staff of office in this same arena. Today we can appreciate the love and the enhanced beauty all around us.
Through his ingenuity, Oba Dr. Kiladejo created an atmosphere of peace, harmony and reconciliation among estranged chiefs and other traditional rulers in his domain. He achieved this through simplicity, humility, act of gratitude and friendly disposition of the support of Olori Olayinka who has not only made the throne peaceful but has also continuously made the Palace friendly to all people. So, from a peaceful home and stabilized domain, the Osemawe has opened new frontiers for development of Ondo Kingdom and harmonious co-existence with neighbouring communities. Consequently, a lot of positive development has happened within a space of one decade of his reign.
The achievements and developments which has accrued to Ondo Kingdom during this period are so numerous that only a few of them can be highlighted in this short speech. In 2010, Ondo Kingdom marked the epoch celebration of 500 years of monarchical governance in Ondo Kingdom . This was a rare event which has spurred many Kingdoms and communities to start digging and searching for the roots of the existence of their monarchies. The conception and birth of the Ondo City Vision 2015 which led to the promulgation of Ondo City is remarkable. The construction of Ondo City Inner Gates to warmly welcome everybody to Ondo City are monumental and conspicuous in all the major inlets to Ondo City. The Second Phase of the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre which was launched during the reign of Oba Adesanoye in 2005 was one of the earliest projects commissioned by OBA Dr. KILADEJO in 2008. In traditional administration, the review of certain procedures with the aim of encouraging more people to be attracted to the chieftaincy institution was proclaimed on July 12, 2016.
Through Providence and the mandate of the electorates, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko emerged as the first Ondo indigene to become Governor of Ondo State. This happy development exposed Ondo Kingdom to a fair share of infrastructural projects which include the dualisation of roads, the citing of the Mother and Child Hospital, Trauma and Surgical Centre, the Kidney Care Centre and eventual establishment of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo City.
The establishment of the Wesley University of Science and Technology in Ondo City by the Methodist Church of Nigeria is very significant. It is a honour well deserved that Oba Dr. Kiladejo has been the Chancellor to date in appreciation of the critical roles being played by the Osemawe and people of Ondo Kingdom for the sustenance of the institution. Eki FM Radio station was established by the leadership of Oba Dr. Kiladejo. Three other radio stations; namely Sun city FM, M & C FM and Kakaki radio by High Chief Akingbule, the Odunwo of Ondo Kingdom , King Sunday Adegeye and Prince Adeyileka respectively also came on board.
The accreditation of Olojas in Ondo kingdom into the class of traditional chiefs paying homages during the annual Odun Oba festival has received accolades from the Olojas who cherished the honour. This, has in turn, endeared the Oloja to the Osemawe and his Council.
Oba Dr. Kiladejo has continued to work assiduously on daily basis with the security agencies to assure safety and enduring peace in the Kingdom.
Let me use this opportunity to thank and appreciate all members of the committee that relentlessly worked hard towards the success of this ceremony. I am proud of you and our people appreciate and cherish your efforts. May the Almighty God be with you and your families. I appreciate my confidant and wife, Margaret Olufunke Adeduro.
Abaiye, my fervent prayer for you is that the Lord God will continue to be with you and his favour for you shall never diminish. By the special Grace of God, you will celebrate the golden jubilee on this throne.
Finally, I wish everybody here present a safe journey to their various destinations.
May God bless you all.
High Chief Johnson Olusola Adeduro
The Sasere Of Ondo Kingdom
Chairman Planning Committee