I witnessed history yesterday, December 20, 2026, as the ancient town of Ilesa came alive during the Owa Obokun Annual Royal Procession held as part of the Iwude Ijesa Festival. The event marked the maiden participation of His Imperial Majesty, Owa Dr. Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, and it was nothing short of majestic.
As His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, stepped into public view, an aura of majesty and sacred authority immediately enveloped the atmosphere.
He was resplendently dressed in a flowing all-white agbada of finely crafted lace, its graceful movement symbolizing purity, peace, and royal dignity. The garment sat regally upon his frame, catching the light and commanding attention with quiet elegance rather than excess.
Crowning this majestic appearance was a pristine white beaded crown, exquisitely made and perfectly fitted to his head, resting with unmistakable authority. The crown did not merely adorn him; it proclaimed him—an emblem of ancestral continuity and kingship renewed.
In his hand, the traditional horse tail (irukere) swayed gently, a timeless symbol of sovereignty, justice, and command. His fashionable, well-polished shoes complemented the royal attire, blending tradition with contemporary refinement.
Around his neck and adorning his arms were rich red coral beads, striking in contrast against the white ensemble. They spoke of royalty, power, and ancestral blessing, affirming his status as both temporal ruler and custodian of sacred traditions.
Completing the regal image were his gold-framed glasses, lending him an air of wisdom, intellect, and modern nobility—an elegant fusion of tradition and enlightened leadership.
Altogether, Owa Ajimoko III presented a vision of grace, authority, and timeless royalty, a monarch whose appearance alone told the story of a throne deeply rooted in heritage yet confidently facing the future.
The atmosphere was electric from the outset. One of the most captivating moments was the performance of the combined Ijesa Trumpeters’ Band, whose powerful, rhythmic sounds led the royal procession and echoed through the streets, announcing the presence of the Paramount Ruler.
In the true spirit of the Iwude Ijesa Festival, sons and daughters of Ijesaland trooped out en masse, lining the streets in excitement to catch a glimpse of their revered monarch. Numerous associations and societies, already registered for the Iwude Ijesa Unity Carnival scheduled for today, Sunday, December 21, at the Sports Arena of Ilesa Grammar School, also participated. They appeared in colourful aso ebi, uniformly dressed, adding splendour and unity to the procession.
The procession commenced from Okemese, making a brief stop at the Palace Roundabout Gate, where the Owa was formally received by the Risawe of Ilesa. From there, the royal train moved onward to the Central Mosque side, where the Alaye welcomed the Kabiyesi. This was followed by short stops at the Petelua and Yeyerise Chieftaincy Houses, located opposite each other.
At Itisisin Junction, the Lioro and Asa paid obeisance to the Owa. The monarch then proceeded to the Obaala’s House, where he had an extended stay for spiritual rites and reception, attended by some lesser chiefs. As tradition demands, the Kabiyesi also feasted at this sacred stop.
The journey continued with a brief stop at Okesa Junction, leading through Idiose Market, Ijamo, Ifosan, and the Oke Eso axis, where the Saba received the Owa. From there, the procession moved to Sawe Ijamo’s Courtyard, where an assemblage of Ijesa elites paid homage to Owa Obokun Adimula.
At the Sawe of Ilesa’s quarters, the royal procession reached a moment of profound significance as the who-is-who of Ilesa’s elitist class gathered in full strength to pay homage. The assemblage was led by Chief Akinwande Akinola, the Sawe of Ilesa, alongside Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, whose presence underscored the importance of the occasion.
It was here that His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, paused the procession and devoted about ten minutes to personally address the distinguished gathering. Speaking with calm authority and clarity of purpose, the Owa painstakingly articulated his unwavering commitment to the development of Ijesaland and the upliftment of its people.
In his address, the monarch unveiled forward-looking economic initiatives, notably his vision for the establishment of an Ijesa–China Town, a project aimed at fostering international trade links, industrial growth, and employment opportunities for the youth. He further disclosed that he had acquired large hectares of land, already earmarked to be cleared and prepared for serious and committed Ijesa entrepreneurs, creating a fertile ground for indigenous investment and sustainable development.
The address was received with rapt attention and visible approval, as the gathering recognized in the words of Owa Ajimoko III a blend of traditional leadership and modern economic foresight. The moment at the Sawe’s quarters thus stood out as a defining highlight of the procession—one that transformed homage into hope and ceremony into a shared vision for the future of Ijesaland.
The procession thereafter left Ijoka for Ijamo. At this point, the tone of the procession visibly changed. The atmosphere shifted from a civil display to a military-style procession, reflecting the significance of the next destination— Lejoka was joined by the Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa, Ogboni of Ibokun and the Ogboni of Ilesa at the junction to the courtyard of the Lejoka of Ilesa, the traditional Defence Minister of Ijesaland. Warriors from the Lejoka’s team formally ushered the royal entourage, and the Lejoka himself paid homage to the Kabiyesi. A spiritual rite was performed at the Owari shrine within the Lejoka’s courtyard.
Upon leaving the Lejoka’s compound, the procession moved to the Chieftaincy House of Salotun, where the Owa ritually changed his headgear, donning the ancient Owa Ajaka Crown, a deeply symbolic moment in the procession.
Thereafter, the Kabiyesi proceeded to a specially prepared podium beside the Central Mosque, where he addressed the entire Ijesaland Assembly. In his address, the Owa Obokun Adimula offered prayers for continued peace, unity, and prosperity across Ijesaland and for all her people.
Following this solemn and historic address, the royal entourage finally departed and returned to the Palace, bringing the grand and memorable Iwude Ijesa Royal Procession to a dignified close.
Coverage Script ✍️ Camera 📸 Credit: Oladimeji Lasore (+2347035105413, [email protected])
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