I followed the royal procession of His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, on Saturday, December 20, 2025, as it made a significant stop at the historic Sawe Courtyard in Ijamo during the 2025 Iwude Ijesa Festival. The courtyard, hosted by the Sawe of Ilesa, Chief Akinwande Akinola, came alive with a distinguished gathering of Ijesaland’s elitist class, traditional leaders, professionals, and community stakeholders.
The atmosphere was charged with cultural reverence and expectancy as the Owa arrived, accompanied by chiefs and palace aides, amid traditional salutations. Shortly after settling, the Owa seized the moment to address the gathering, stressing the urgency and importance of speaking to them before returning to the palace, in obedience to ancestral injunctions that the sun must not set before his return. His brief invocation for ancestral forgiveness was met with a resounding chorus of “Amen” from the chiefs.
In a frank and reflective address, Owa Ajimoko III centered his message on the collective responsibility for the development of Ijesaland. He made it clear that progress must not be dictated by one individual but driven by shared vision and personal initiative. Drawing from a previous interaction with Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the monarch emphasized that differing ideas should not hinder development, noting that everyone who is well-to-do has a duty to contribute meaningfully to the growth of Ijesaland in their own way.
The Owa paid glowing tribute to Prince Atayero, whom he described as a shining example of impactful philanthropy. He recounted how Prince Atayero, in memory of his late wife, empowered about 45 artisans who were trained free of charge and equipped with full working tools, alongside financial support to sustain them for their first six months. According to the Owa, such an initiative represents development at its most practical and humane level.
Speaking further, the monarch revealed his engagement with the University of Ilesa, where he proposed the establishment of an Artisan School to address the shortage of skilled workers in the country. He lamented the dominance of foreign artisans in Nigeria’s construction sector and stressed the need to empower local hands with skills and equipment. He noted with satisfaction that Prince Atayero had already implemented a similar vision successfully.
Owa Ajimoko III challenged the elite present—whether 20 or 100 in number—to think deliberately about what they could each do for Ijesaland, even if it meant renovating classrooms, supporting teachers with stipends, or addressing the shortage of science teachers in rural schools. He disclosed that aspirants to chieftaincy titles are no longer required to pay money but must instead commit to tangible community development projects across Ijesaland.
Turning to commerce and industrialization, the Owa expressed concern over the high cost of goods in Ijesaland compared to neighboring cities and the dominance of external traders in local markets. As a solution, he unveiled an ambitious proposal for the establishment of an “Ijesa–China Town,” spanning about 1,000 hectares of land. He explained that the land would be made available to genuine Ijesa entrepreneurs at a highly subsidized rate, with a five-year grace period, to allow projects to stabilize before any form of rent is charged.
The monarch assured that basic land clearing and infrastructure would be provided, leveraging his background in construction. He added that allocated land could be documented and used as collateral, provided banks certify that proposed projects are viable and bankable. He also disclosed ongoing partnerships with long-standing Chinese associates willing to support industrial projects through flexible machinery financing arrangements.
In a candid moment, the Owa cautioned against abuse of the initiative, stressing that the opportunity is strictly for Ijesa indigenes and not to be accessed through marriage or other indirect means. He maintained that the overarching goal is to economically empower Ijesa people to compete favorably, reduce market prices, and restore quality standards in local commerce.
As the address ended, it was evident from the attentive silence and nodding heads that the message had struck a chord. The stop at Sawe Courtyard proved to be more than a ceremonial visit; it became a strategic moment of vision casting, urging unity, honesty, and purposeful action for the sustainable development of Ijesaland.
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