Spread the love

By:Sesan Rufus Awobiye

In a grand ceremony held on July 31, 2026, the traditional stool of the Owu Kingdom bestowed a prestigious chieftaincy title upon one of its distinguished sons. His Royal Majesty, Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola Oluyalo Otileta VII, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, officially installed Engineer Onadele Ogundele Oluyemi as the Amona Olowu of Owu Kingdom. Alongside him, his wife, Mrs. Omobukola Ogundele, was honored as the Yeye Amona Olowu of Owu Kingdom.

*Royal Blessing from the Olowu of Owu Kingdom*
The installation highlighted the vision of HRM Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola Oluyalo Otileta VII, an accomplished scholar and traditional leader committed to community development, cultural preservation, and uniting Owu indigenes worldwide. Under the monarch’s leadership, the chieftaincy title recognizes Engineer Ogundele’s long-standing dedication to advancing Owu identity and supporting Yoruba heritage both in Nigeria and across the diaspora.

*Dedicated to Service and Cultural Heritage*
Speaking after his installation, Chief Oluyemi Ogundele expressed deep gratitude to the monarch and emphasized that the role of Amona carries significant responsibility. Describing the title as serving as an ambassador of the kingdom and the “ears and eyes” of the Kabiyesi, he pledged to promote the core values of the Owu Kingdom while supporting the traditional stool.

Having recently retired from active professional service, Ogundele noted that his new duties would be a joy rather than a burden, given his lifelong passion for cultural promotion. He urged leaders across traditional and political spaces to lead with humility, while encouraging young people to build sustainable success through integrity, patience, and consistency.

*Tributes from Friends, Family, and Traditional Custodians*
The event brought together family, associates, and community leaders to celebrate the couple:

Friends and Associates: Longtime friend Prince Babatunde Olufemi Akinde traveled from Lagos to celebrate Ogundele’s decades of generosity and protective character. Fellow schoolmates Ademola Olalujoye and Engineer Kenny Idowu praised his mentorship since their days at Baptist Boys’ High School and highlighted his efforts in unifying Owu indigenes globally.

Family Support: Yeye Amona Omobukola Ogundele described her husband as a dedicated leader and family man, recalling his active involvement with Nigerian and Yoruba community organizations in Austria and diplomatic circles.

Traditional Perspective: Olusola Adeoye, the Oshinri of Owu Kingdom and Afabbaje, provided historical context on Owu’s heritage, noting that despite historical dispersal, sons of the soil like Chief Ogundele continue to preserve their cultural roots wherever they live.