The Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin, in Ondo State, has urged residents to sustain peace and unity, as peaceful coexistence is essential for the community’s development.
The monarch made the call at the conclusion of the week-long Okemeji Takotabo festival, an annual celebration that promotes the cultural heritage and history of Ikare-Akoko.
Oba Adedoyin described the festival as an important part of the community’s identity, inherited from their forebears and preserved through generations.
He said the annual visit to Okemeji hilltop remained a major highlight of the celebration, providing an opportunity to pray for the wellbeing of Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State and Nigeria.
The monarch said prayers were also offered for government at all levels, including President Bola Tinubu, the state governor, local government officials, ministers, political leaders and residents.
‘We asked God to guide our leaders and grant them the wisdom to govern effectively,’ he said.
Oba Adedoyin was confident that the prayers offered during the festival would yield positive results, adding that he expected participants to return next year with testimonies of answered prayers.
He reiterated his commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, noting that unity among residents was vital to achieving meaningful development in Ikare-Akoko.