Who succeeds Olomu?

*Unilorin Don, APC chair, Town Planning scribe, School Principal, Retiree, Asiwaju of Omu-Aran favoured ...conflicting accounts trail Oba Ibitoye’s health before demise ...His unfulfilled dreams –High Chief ...What I’ll miss most about dad –Eldest son *Plus details of burial rites, list of Olomu from 1310 till date

It was a gloomy day for sons and daughters of Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, following the passing of their monarch, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Oladele Ibitoye Adogbajale Bi Ileke II.
One can easily notice from the entrance of the Olomu’s palace, grave silence, as the palace that used to be vivacious and crowded with chiefs and members of the community had been deserted and thrown into mourning.
The 13 elders of the town who were sighted at the palace were observed wearing on their faces, sombreness and sadness as Oba Ibitoye, with whom they made decisions bordering on the community for 24 years, has joined his ancestors.
Oba Ibitoye, after complaining of uneasiness in his body system was said to have been rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, (UITH) Ilorin four weeks ago, before he was pronounced dead on Friday.
The Olomu who died at the age of 64, according to a prominent chief who does not want his name in print, died as a result of a protracted kidney disease.
The chief added that the monarch had been battling the ailment for about 10 years before he eventually gave up the ghost on Friday.
“His death was nothing but a shock to us all; we had no inkling of his death. It all started about four weeks ago, he was taking to the hospital where he was been attended to and we were waiting to hear news of his discharge but unfortunately, it was the news of his death we got.
“Before this time, he had been sick, because he had kidney disease and I can recall that he was flown abroad about ten years for medical attention. But since his return, he was healthy. We were surprised that the ailment resurfaced and invariably led to his demise,” the chief divulged.
However, the family denied knowledge of Oba Ibitoye’s protracted battle with any disease, saying he only took ill three weeks ago.
Speaking with our reporter, yesterday, the eldest son of the deceased, Prince Ibukun Ibitoye said his father died after a brief illness.
“Whoever said he had been sick for long, I believe such person did not know him. People around here can confirm that he was healthy all through his life, before he left Omu-Aran to the hospital, he went to the church. My own dad was never sick for long,” he stated.
Speaking on what he will miss most following the departure of the monarch, Ibukun said he will miss his perfectness.
“He was a perfect man and I can’t just miss him for one thing but many that I can’t just recount. As human, no one wishes to die but when it comes, so be it. He left a big shoe.
Unfulfilled Dreams
Speaking on Oba Ibitoye’s unfulfilled dreams, the Eruuku of Omu-Aran, Chief Sadu Owolewa said the deceased had taken some steps in order to ensure that the banks that were shut due to serial robbery attacks resumed operation in the community.
In the same vein. the Olupona, Chief AbdulAzeez Adeniyi said, “He had met the Central Bank Controller and the state government. He also met some personalities to help fast track the return of those banks; Oba Ibitoye also met the Inspector General of Police who had promised to provide maximum security for the community.
“Repeatedly, Kabiesi said he wants to build a befitting palace. He complained that the current palace does not befit the Omu-Aran community. These and many more we often discuss before he joined his ancestors. It is a pity, he could not fulfil them all.
Likely successor
Meanwhile following the passing of Oba Ibitoye, no fewer than six names have been thrown up as the likely successor of the monarch.
According to Chief Olupona, Alhaji Abdulazeez Adeniyi, there are four ruling houses in Ihaye canton namely; Ijawusi, Igan, Aki and Areyin who are entitled to produce the successor to the throne.
He said, “The departed Oba was from Ijawusi line and the next monarch may equally come from that lineage but from the female line in either Ijoko compound or Ile Olasankale in Ifaja canton and that invariably makes the ruling house five.
“No one can be talking of who becomes the next monarch when the burial rites for the departed had not been completed, it is the work of kingmakers to submit list of recommended names to the Ifa priest. The Ifa will subsequently pick such list.
Meanwhile, a source close to the palace however disclosed to this medium names of persons that will likely be considered for the position.
He disclosed that some elders in the community have stepped up efforts to ensure that their illustrious sons return home for consideration.
Names that were reliably gathered from different sources from Ifaja ward include; the Asiwaju of Omu-Aran, Prince Samuel Adeniyi. He is said to have the acquaintance of the community. However, Adeniyi’s candidature may be rejected due to his old age as he is said to be above 90 years already. He retired as school principal about four decades ago.
Also named as likely successor, is a lecturer at the Department of Business Administration, University of Ilorin, Dr. Jimoh Oladipo, whose wealth of experience in teaching could be an added advantage
Also likely to be considered from the same ruling house is, Prince Abdulazeez Olawuyi, a principal at the Muslim Secondary College (MUSECO), Igbaja.
Prince Samuel Abolarin, a one-time principal of Government Secondary School, Omu Aran who retired in 2011 and currently the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman of Ifaja ward may get the nod for the throne. He was described as someone who could manage the affairs of the community giving his easy going nature.
In addition, Prince Adedayo Onifade who hails from Ijoko and retired at the presidency, Abuja may be favoured considering his influence and affluence.
Also on the roll call is the current Executive Secretary of the state Town Planning and Development Authority, Raheem Adeoti from Ijoko compound. His candidature according to some members of the community is on the fact that he is close to the government and that he might be able to use that influence to the benefit of the community.
However, there may be a delay in announcing a successor to the throne as some of the kingmakers who were recently pronounced dead were yet to be replaced. Among the departed king makers are; the Esha, Prof Samuel Oyinloye Abogunrin and the Odofin.
Burial rites
While the search for the right candidate to succeed the monarch continues, there are some rites to be fulfilled before a successor to be throne can be named according to prominent chiefs in the community.
The Olupona, Chief Adeniyi told this medium, yesterday, that parts of the rites include jumping three (3) market days.
He further added that the process does not depict any diabolism but a mark of respect to the departed monarch.
A dog is also to be slaughtered at the ‘Ojubo Ogun’ (shrine) which is located at the central market, a rite which we later confirmed had been performed, yesterday.
According to him, the news of Oba Ibitoye’s demise must be made known by masquerades to members of the community adding that the announcement will last seven days.
He added that there must be a 7-day curfew in the town just to allow the chiefs to perform the traditional rites and all the oak trees (Igi Odan) in the community must be trimmed.
List of Olomu from 1310 till date
Omu-Aran which originated from Ile-Ife, Osun State has had over 30 Olomu’s till date. The ancestors were called ‘Olomu Aperan’. They left Oke-Omu where they settled in Ile-Ife in 1120 to Ija-ragbe, about 4 kilometres to the present Ilesa. When Ifa instructed them that they’ve not gotten to the final destination, they moved again to settle at Ode-Omu, near Ola in Isin Local Government Area of the state.
In their search for water, they located their present abode (Omu-Aran) and they finally settled there in 1310.
Since then till now, the community has had the following monarchs from the male line;
Oba Areyin, Oba Itiko, Oba Oba-Ara, Oba Eringbagbo, Oba Oni da-ide, Oba Olode Ega, Amududu wusi loyo, Oba Okokotioko, Oba Ogidigbo, Oba Olomu lodogbo, Oba Lawosin, Oba Lafofun Ogbo, Oba Agiyan Adogbajale Bileke 1, Oba Agunke Loye, Oba Olomu Aga, Oba Sanga mo niju, Oba Akingbe niju, Oba momoloso Adido,
Also from the female line, Oba Olomu Efan, Oba Saiji Olode Ogbagbara, Oba Fakayode Olasankale, Oba Alakaka, Oba Aladodo, Oba Ewedunmoye, Oba Abegunde 1, Oba Abegunde ii, Oba Obe, Oba Ajibade, Oba Charles Oladele Ibitoye
Ahmed, APC, others mourn
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has described the death of the monarch, Oba Charles Oladele Ibitoye, as a colossal loss to the entire people of the state.
The governor in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, disclosed that the late Oba Ibitoye was one of the finest and highly respected monarchs who has contributed immensely to the peaceful co-existence of the people of the state.
According to the governor, Oba Ibitoye made enormous sacrifices for the continued unity of the entire Igbomina race through his outstanding wealth of experience, unique leadership styles as well as genuine passion for the empowerment of his people.
Ahmed commiserated with the Kwara State Traditional Council under the chairmanship of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the people of Omu-Aran community and prayed God to grant the late monarch eternal rest and give his families, friends, associates and the entire Igbomina race the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commiserated with the people of Omu-Aran, and the state government  over the sudden transition of the first class monarch.
This was contained in  a statement issued in Ilorin by the  party on Sunday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said that, ‘The death of the monarch, who was an exemplary leader of no mean repute came like rude shock to the  party at a time when his presence was mostly needed” .
He added that Oba Ibitoye’s  reign brought unprecedented developments to the ancient town with classical coordination of sons and daughters of Omu Aran in diaspora.
Also, a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Irepodun Constituency, Hon Mathew Babaoye said Oba Ibitoye was a well accomplished civil servant who contributed his quota to the development of the state adding that his reign as Olomu witnessed major physical development in the town.
Also, Olomu’s childhood friend, Alhaji Abdukareem Olaoye told this medium that he he has lost a confidant.
“We’ve have been together since 1967, we went to the same primary and secondary school, he was my confidant, I will miss him greatly.”
For the former Chairman of Irepodun, Lukman Owolewa, who also hails from Omu-Aran, the death of Olomu was a huge loss not only to the people of Omu Aran but Kwara State and the entire Igbomina people.
“It was one death too many considering the fact that the Odofin Aran and the Esha passed on not too long ago. Oba Ibitoye was an epitome of humility. My heartfelt condolence goes to his Olori and family, the Olomu in Council, the Irepodun traditional council and the entire people of Omu Aran.”