By Peter Omopo
Abeokuta, November 19, 2025
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, on Tuesday marked his 20th coronation anniversary with a colourful ceremony that featured the installation of new chiefs in Egbaland.
Oba Gbadebo, who ascended the throne on November 19, 2005, as the 10th Alake of Abeokuta and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, presided over the event attended by eminent traditional rulers, titled chiefs, government dignitaries, political leaders and business figures from within and outside Egbaland.
Among the key highlights of the ceremony was the conferment of the prestigious title of Ogboye of Egbaland on Chief Samuel Oluwadairo, described by the palace as a prominent recipient in this year’s installation.
According to the palace statement, the Ogboye title is “one of the top-ranked Egba traditional chieftaincy titles approved by the state government,” and its holder sits with the Alake-in-Council in administering the affairs of the entire Egba Kingdom.
Chief Oluwadairo’s wife, Regina Oluwadairo, was also installed as the new Erelu-Ogboye of Egbaland, complementing her existing title as the Seriki Iya-Abiye of Egbaland.
Performing the installations, Oba Gbadebo prayed for divine wisdom and guidance for the new chiefs, urging them to uphold exemplary conduct and demonstrate leadership in their new roles.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Oluwadairo expressed deep gratitude to the monarch for the honour, describing the Ogboye title as “a call to service” that comes with weighty responsibilities.
“I feel so honoured, privileged and excited to be installed as the new Ogboye of Egbaland. By the grace of God, I am prepared to live up to the expectations of our highly revered Oba, the people of Abeokuta and the entire Egbaland,” he said.
He pledged to promote peace and unity across Egba communities and to embark on empowerment initiatives aimed at enhancing the economic well-being of the people. He also prayed for Oba Gbadebo, wishing him many more years of a peaceful and progressive reign.
The newly installed Erelu-Ogboye, Chief Regina Oluwadairo, expressed joy at her elevation and promised to support her husband while continuing her work to improve the welfare of children in Egbaland.
The palace described the anniversary and installations as significant milestones in Oba Gbadebo’s reign, reinforcing traditional leadership and community development across Egbaland.
