Prequel to his August 19, 2020 official installation as the Elemuren by the Ogun State government, Oba Adesegun Bolaji Alowonle once again invited fellow traditional rulers, government officials and friends to mark the coronation ceremony in his hometown of Emuren. The royal event which took place on November 1, 2020, witnessed massive attendants from Lagos and Ogun States, respectively. Traditional rulers who matter in Ikorodu and Sagamu graced the occasion in their royal entourages.
Unlike the event of handing of staff of office to Oba Adesegun Bolaji Alowosnle, this time it was a moment of merriment for the newly installed Oba of Emuren kingdom, where he invited royal fathers, business moguls, family members and friends to join in the peaceful celebration. While governments were not officially present to perform official duties, some government top notch attended at individual capacities. Right beside his white painted palatial mansion, the new Elemuren pitched massive sets of large event tents to host his guests.
Men, women, highly placed and the people of Emuren kingdom heartily converge at the massive tents pitched for the celebration. Burly looking private security men took positions at the entrance of the royal massive tent. Some protocol officers at the entrance screened pedestrians into the royal tent and ensured that only invited guests on the list gain access into the reserved tent. The interior was lavishly decorated and staffed with necessary services.
The large tent had compartments prepared for different kind of dignitaries. To the left flank was a set of dinner tables and chairs exotically arranged and the tables labeled with names of guests. The foreground of the tent had similar arrangements. The right flank had similar arrangements but carried other features.
In this area was a live band and a renowned compere. The section had an extension leading to an exclusive corner reserved only for royal fathers. That mini extension was mounted by hefty private security men cladded in black attires.
Beautifully dressed damsels in their white traditional outfits welcomed the special guests in the royal tent. Son of the legendary Apala maestro Haruna Ishola, Musiliu Haruna Ishola, primed his band for performance while the event compare recognised and identify the royal fathers and special guests who walked into the tent. The event compere, Gbenga Dosumu, is an independent broadcaster at the Lagos State Television. He recognised and welcomed special guests as they walk into the tent and read the profile of some.
The event started properly some minutes after midday when key dignitaries started arriving. In the royal corner, special wines and refreshment were being served to the traditional rulers who arrived earlier. The place hard a slight uproar when the majestic Oba Kabiru Shotobi arrived with his entourage. The paramount ruler of Ikorodu Division arrived in company of powerful men in Ikorodu. Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, vice chairman of the APC Lagos East Senatorial district and other powerful figures were with the Ayangburen.
The influential politician dressed in exotic blue lace, wore a tick black spectacle. Photographers and local pressmen jostled to capture Oba Shotobi and his entourage, as they walked in. The compere announced the royal entrance and observed the honour accorded kings and notable public figures.
While Oba Shotobi joined other dignitaries in the royal corner, HRM, Oba Ajibade Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota welcomed the Ayangburen. Not too long, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiu Kasali walked in with his entourage and he was properly recognised and welcomed to the event by the emcee. Other traditional rulers who were in the tent include the Ologijo of Ogijo, Oba Kazeem Olaonipekun Gbadamosi, the Obateru of Egbin, Oba Jamiu Olalekan Sule-Onasipe of Igode, The Sekumade of Ipakodo, and traditional rulers from neighbouring towns.
Many top dignitaries from Lagos and Ogun States walked in and found their tables as labelled. Food and drinks flowed to all corners while the royal section had their barmen and caterers right within their reach. The emcee made funny remarks and kept recognizing dignitaries as they walk in. In-between the introduction and commentaries, there was musical interlude by the disc jockey. During that time, the live band were busy arranging and testing their musical equipment. When they were ready, the emcee gave them few minutes to warm up and they did a brief performance. Musiliu Haruna Ishola, who emulate the Apala genre dominated by his late father, thrilled the mature crowed with a short intro of his trained voice.
In the royal corner, the traditional rulers were seen majestically seated and engaged in hush-hush chitchats, some smiled and giggle while others looked on. Some of the royal fathers posed for photographs, posing with counterparts and friends. Though, photographers and pressmen were not allowed into their section, they picked their preferred photographers to do the job for them.
High chiefs of the kingdoms present were giving due recognition as they have their own tables specially marked for them. While the emcee identified some of the high chiefs, he mentioned their ranks and kingdoms they represent. The Olisa of Imota and his Emuren counterpart in company of fellow Olisas from other communities shared a special table. The academia were not left out as a special table was set for them. On their corner, the academics were led by acting rector of Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr. Olumide Metilelu and other highly educated men and women.
With over twenty backup singers, percussionists, pianist, drummers and technical hands, the Musiliu Aruna Ishola band started performing to the delight of the audience. A chubby fleshy female dancer stylishly marched to the centre stage and started dancing to the tune of the Apala music. She gracefully turn and twist to the tune, as her body contour dangle to the lascivious stare of many men who couldn’t help but looked on. The dancer’s voluptuous buttocks was accentuated in her skin-tight wear and the bulging curves from her boobs and buttocks arrested the attention of every men watching. She stole the show with her dance of gyrating flesh.
The celebrant, Oba Adesegun Bolaji Alowonle who was moving towards to traditional rulers’ corner caught the attention of the Apala maestro who started extolling the Elemuren. The Oba called his personal assistant who was carrying a mini-bag, he pulled out two crisp wads of five hundred naira notes and handed them to the performing musician. Motivated by the cash inducement, the musician went into a frenzy of praise singing and citation of special names, titles, monikers and honours of Oba Alowonle.
When Oba Bolaji Alowonle returned with his entourage, they danced majestically towards the performing apala band. The king danced, and sprayed money to the singer. While he danced, the Ayangbure, Oba Shotobi, the Ranodu and the Adegboruwa majestically glided to the scene and started spraying crisp notes of naira bills on Oba Alowonle. Two hundred naira bills, five hundred naira bills and one thousand naira bills were literarily raining on the celebrant as his traditional ruling counterparts sprayed money.
The musician praised the kings as they danced and some of them took turn spraying cash on him. Musiliu also chants the oriki and praises of the kings. While praising Oba Shotobi, he uses some legendary titles and words to describe the Ayangburen. In one of such lofty praise was “Adekaaka”, a Yoruba sobriquet for a warrior king. The musician centred his praise on Oba Alowonle, calling the monarch a man born in wealth and handsomely looking whenever he smiles, revealing a bright dentition.
All the monarchs looked happy and in cheerful mood until a mild drama unfolded. One of the Oloris, wives of Oba Alowonle got irritated by her mate and she couldn’t take it by voicing her anger. She almost attacked her mate on the dance floor. The third Olori Bolanle stepped back to avoid confrontation. The situation was quickly addressed as Oba Agoro of Imota whisked away one of the fuming Olori into the background and calmed her down.
The Ranodu sprayed her some cash and made overlooked the issue. The loud blast from the speakers muffled the queens’ agitation and people could not hear what they were arguing about. In defiance of the slight glitch, Oba Alowonle was not deterred as he continued spraying cash on the performing artiste.
Oba Shotobi danced briefly and made way towards the exit, waving his horsetail scepter as many prostrate on the way. The Adeboruwa followed suit. Before then, the Sekumade had left. Some monarchs from neighbouring kingdoms danced with Oba Alowonle, while those from far away made their exits.
Right outside were many canopies pitched for large population, who were mostly from Emuren and neighbouring communities. The masses on the other side also had caterers serving them food with drinks. The whole place was crowded and many traditional security outfits alongside policemen guarded the place. Traditional troupes performed to the guests in other tents and many had fun.