A former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, Abdulateef Owoyemi, on Sunday assumed the leadership of the Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
Fusengbuwa ruling house is the next to produce the next Awujale after the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona on July 13 at 91, who reigned for 65 years.
This followed the resignation of the former head of the ruling house, Dr Kunle Hassan, the founder of Eye Foundation Hospital, at the special Fusengbuwa Ruling House Unification and Integration meeting held at Oba Adesimbo Tunwase Court, Agunsebi, Ijebu Ode.
Hassan, who is also the Chairman, Governing Board of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, said that his resignation was due to the current developments and the dynamics that have changed with the passing of the former Awujale, Oba Adetona.
The renowned ophthalmologist thanked all those who supported his installation as the head of the Fusengbuwa ruling house after the death of the late billionaire banking magnate and the Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Otunba Subomi Balogun.
He has therefore called for the support of all other members of the family, urging them to pursue collective interest for the greatness of Ijebu land and should therefore give their support to the new family head, Owoyemi.
He described Owoyemi as a very versatile and committed leader with adequate knowledge to get the task ahead done with the support of other members of the family.
Speaking with journalists, Hassan said, “It is God who gives position, and I believe that within the short time spent, I have fulfilled my mission and I am supporting the new Olori Ebi, Otunba Owoyemi with all my heart.
“I thank all our Kabiyesis who pulled all of us together so that we can do things in the interest of Ijebu land and not personal interest because nobody is greater than his community.
“I will continue to lend my support and uphold the cherished values of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, as well as the heritage of Ijebu land.
“The importance of today’s occasion lies in the fact that if we don’t have a united voice so that we can speak with one voice, we won’t be taken seriously whereas there is enough room within the contest for the Awujale throne to absorb many things.
“However, we are better off if we’re united. We don’t know tomorrow. Only God knows and so we should bury the hypocrisy in everybody because nobody is perfect and do the will of God.
“This is the appointed time for Otunba Owoyemi, he has been in it for over 40 years but when it is the right time, the good Lord will bless it and that is what we just witnessed today. I call on everyone to support him to make the Fusengbuwa ruling house and the Ijebu land as a whole greater.”
In his acceptance speech, Owoyemi pledged to conduct the affairs of the ruling house with the fear of God while ensuring that everyone is carried along.
The former ICAN President said that having been a senior member of the Fusengbuwa ruling house and even in a leadership position for about 10 years, he is conversant with all the challenges and that with the support of the Almighty God and the family members, everything will be handled successfully.
Owoyemi added that “I have been a very senior member of Fusengbuwa ruling house for over 44 years, I am conversant with the challenges and with God and the people on my side, the challenges are not insurmountable.
“Every member of the ruling house is a member of royalty and so either you are a woman or a man, big man or small man, you will be heard and listened to.
“I will lead right and guide with the wisdom of Solomon and I pray that the Almighty God will lead me aright.”
Speaking on the selection of the new Awujale, the renowned Chartered Accountant said that, “By the grace of God, we are going to be fair and transparent and give every privileged and qualified candidate the opportunity during the selection process of the new Awujale.
“I also give my word that we are going to produce Awujale that will create the best history in the history of Yoruba land.”
Owoyemi also promised to unite every member of the ruling house saying that “after all, we are all of the same mother, so our unity is paramount and we shall bring everyone on board for the good of our family”.
