An Ogun traditional healer has congratulated the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege, on his 60th birthday.
The healer, Oluwo Faniyi Fasola, recalled that it was during Olota’s reign that he was installed as the Araba of Ota.
He prayed for long life, good health and continued success on the throne for the monarch.
Fasola, who is the head of Babalawo in Ota/Olu-Isese in the Awori Kingdom, spoke during the celebration of the fifth anniversary of his installation at Ijagba, Ota.
At the event, Lucky Akheme, a lawyer, was installed as Oba Ela Onifa of Ota Kingdom.
Akheme pledged to contribute to the advancement of Ifá in Ota Kingdom, promising to work with other stakeholders to promote and strengthen the tradition and ensure the future growth of Ifá traditions in Ota. Fasola praised God for sustaining him, his family and others in the past five years.
He thanked members of the Ajo Babalawo Ota for their contributions to the growth of Ifá traditions in Ota.
He commended the Ajo Babalawo Ota for propagating Ifá and preserving the traditional heritage of the people reflecting on his five years in office, Fasola said he had no regrets despite the challenges he encountered.
According to him, the major challenge had been putting the structures in place for the development and growth of Ifá in Ota, adding that the Araba had gained more recognition during his tenure.
He described the position as an honour and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in promoting Ifá in Ota and Yewa-Awori.
He pledged to continue working with traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to promote Ifá as an important component of Yoruba cultural heritage.
Fasola acknowledged the support of traditional rulers and Ifá leaders, particularly Oluwo Ojekunle Ategbesun, Oluwo Onifa Yewa/Awori and Oluwo Adebayo Amao Adimula, and Ajo Babalawo Yewa/ Awori
Other eminent personalities he praised were the Onilogbo of Ilogbo, Oba Samuel Ojugbele, whom he described as his father, and congratulated him ahead of his 25th coronation anniversary in October; Oba Ogungbayi , the Onitetiku of Owode Ota for his fatherly role.
Oluwo Ojekunle Ategbesun, the Oluwo Onifa of Yewa/Awori, admonished Ifá practitioners to remain committed to the propagation and preservation of their traditional heritage.