The people of Ilawe-Ekiti rolledout drums to celebrates one of their illustrous sons ,Major General Adeyemi Adetayo who bowed out after 38 years of active service in the Nigerian Army .
The paramount ruler of Ilawe-Ekiti kingdom, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, who led his people to a colourful reception for the top retired military officer said event was in appreciation of the General”s goodness to the community and its people. .
In the community which is still basking in the euphoria of the newly established Federal College of Education ,Oba Alabi bestowed the honorary titles of Jagungbayi and Yeye Jagugbayi on General Adetayo and his wife ,Deaconess Latoya Esther Adetayo respectively.
Oba Alabi disclosed that the honours were in recognition of the couple’s contributions to the various developmental projects in the community.
The monarch recalled how the retired General donated an office complex in his palace within the space of three months when he (Alawe) was appointed as the Chairman of the Council of the Traditional Rulers in Ekiti State,some years ago.
Acknowledging General Adetayo’s numerous interventions in the community, Oba Alabi spoke of how the general supported the youths in terms of empowerment and human capital development.
“I am proud of him. General Adetayo has made us proud. He is indeed an illustrious son. General Adetayo has made the people of Ilawe Ekiti Kingdom proud by shining and becoming exemplary Son of the Ilawe Ekiti Kingdom.
“General Adetayo has being a great pillar of support for the people of the community. Like this office complex, for the monarch, it was built by him when we needed to have an event centre in Ilawe Ekiti, he enlisted the support of his younger sister who is in the USA who has the wherewithal to do it. And the lady did it and put up very magnificent event centre here in Ilawe Ekiti.
“He has also been the right hand man of Ilawe people with his unusual support. He has been an highly respectful, responsible and dependable Son of the Ilawe Kingdom. We are so delighted that he has finished his work as a military officer and he has returned home safe and sound”.Oba Alabi
Oba Alabi used the occasion to renew his call for the government to assign Constitutional responsibilities to the Traditional Rulers .
He enjoined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the current leadership of the National Assembly to act on the discussion previously held with the representatives of the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria on the issue relating to constitutional role for the traditional institution .
“We hope that in no distance time, something will be done to make traditional rulers in the Country to be involved in governance and administration . The Traditional Rulers no doubt, are the closest to the people at the grassroots. Hardly will anything go on or happen in our communities without our knowledge as traditional rulers”.
“When you have an aggregate of the Traditional Rulers coming to the table, and discussing the National Security issues, you will be rest assured that the Country will be better for it. It is a well deserved requirement for traditional rulers to be well engaged in the act of governance”.
On the approval of N2 billion for the construction of Ilawe to Iyin Ekiti road by the National Assembly, Alawe stated that the timeless news was well received by him.
He commended both the current Senate Majority Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele and the Senate Spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu who hails from Ilawe Ekiti Kingdom for their efforts in ensuring the road received approval from the 10th National Assembly after several years of it’s abandonment.
In his remarks ,General Adetayo appreciated the monarch for the honour ,promising that the the honour would spurred him to do more, “It is now time for me to be back to Ilawe Ekiti. I have been coming and going back before but, now, there is no where for me to go again”, he assured.
He described his sojourn of 38 year and two months in the Military as a combined forces of destiny and adventure. He explained that his presence in the military should be seen as one that God has destined for him.He added that his presence in the military was an adventure because he never expected himself to stay long when he first joined many years back. “I never expected myself to stay for a whole service period. I was meant to stay for a short time but I ended up working in the military till my retirement stage. I was also able to passed through all the ranks by His Grace at the first attempt”.
“Throughout my stay in the military, I enjoyed a timely promotion as at when due. Even though my journey was rough, I gave the glory to God Almighty because the Military made me what I am today despite all I have being through”, he said.
The event was spiced with dance from the cultural troupes,while the local hunters also displayed their hunting skillsAmong the dignitaries were the Attah of Ayede Ekiti Kingdom, Oba Adebayo Abdulmumin Orisagbemi , Onisinbode of Isinbode Ekiti Kingdom, His Royal Majesty,Oba Adesoji Adeyemi among others.