Ijesas To Celebrate Owa Haastrup’s 77th Birthday With Historic Book, and Iconic Building

There will be no shortage of pageantry on Friday, September 19, 2025, when prime movers of events in Ijesaland, Nigeria and the diaspora gather at the Muson Centre, Lagos, to showcase Ijesa history as never told, its fertile and mineral-rich land, its vibrant people, as well as its rich traditions and culture.

The two-in-one event, which is the brainchild of the The Ijesa Society, will feature the public presentation of a book, THE HISTORY OF IJESA TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES: THE PEOPLE, LAND AND HERITAGE, and the celebration of the 77th natal day of the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III.

The icing on the cake would be a special focus and launch of a project, a N1 billion iconic building to be built in the heart of Lagos called Osomaalo House.

High Chief Lateef Akande Bakare, the Ajirowa of Ijesaland, is the President of The Ijesa Society, the masterminds and sponsor of the august book and Osomaalo House.

In a press statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday, Ajirowa Bakare gave the inspiration behind the book, Osomaalo House, and underscored the significance of the decision by The Ijesa Society to hold the events with the 77th birthday celebration of Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III.

“We conceptualized the idea of the book, THE HISTORY OF IJESA TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES: THE PEOPLE, LAND AND HERITAGE, as a veritable tool to clear any web of confusion and fill any void that may exist in the consciousness of people about who we truly are as a people, as Ijesas,” the Ajirowa said. “Edmund Burke said ‘Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.’ We do not want our youths, this generation and subsequent generations, to grope in in the dark about their roots, their land, their heroes, their culture and tradition, even villains of history.

“The book, THE HISTORY OF IJESA TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES: THE PEOPLE, LAND AND HERITAGE, beams powerful, luminous light into the trunk of time telling the Ijesa story, the story of our land, our people, our heroes past and present, our struggles through time, the attacks withstood, the storms endured, the lean time, the time of plenty, the narrow and luxurious years, our happiness and prosperity. The book tells it all.”

The Owa had his secondary education at Eko Boys’ High School and ‘A’ Level at the Federal School of Sciences in Lagos before earning a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He returned to Nigeria in 1981 and made significant impact in public service, rising rapidly to become Deputy Governor of Osun State in 1990. During his tenure, he contributed to significant policy reforms and infrastructure projects, which laid the foundation for the state’s growth.

Owa Haastrup later quit politics and shifted his focus to the private sector, founding the ENL Consortium Limited in 2002. Under his leadership, the company became a major player across multiple industries, including power generation, port operations, real estate development, hospitality, road construction, and gold mining.

His ventures have not only created jobs but have also contributed to Nigeria’s economic development, with significant collaborations with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Power Holding Company of Nigeria, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency.

Sequel to the demise of then Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II on September 11, 2024, Kingmakers announced then Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the 41st Owa following a meticulous selection process. His selection was officially approved by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on December 27, 2024, who presented the new Owa with his staff of office on December 29, 2024.

On May 23, 2025, Owa Haastrup’s coronation was held amid pomp in Ilesa, a historic event that many still discuss with excitement across the land till date.

Source: The Crest

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