Scores of hunters and youths took to the streets and roads in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, in a ‘Thank You, Governor’ rally for the approval of a Clinical Pharmacologist, Dr. Olusegun MacGregor, as Oba – elect of Orile Ilawo Alagbagba community.
The Canada returnee, who is a professor of Clinical Pharmacology, was nominated to ascend the throne of Olu of Orile Ilawo by the town’s Warrant Chiefs appointed by the State Government.
MacGregor succeeds the town’s first monarch, Oba Adedapo Aina, who joined his ancestors some years back.
The approval by the State Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs threw the hunters and youths into excitement at the weekend as they spontaneously poured into the streets and roads in their hundreds.
The Thank You’ rally which took off at MacGregor Heritage Foundation in Abeokuta saw the people chanting songs of appreciation to the people and sectional monarchs for their laudable roles in the emergence of the new monarch.
The elated hunters and youths pledged their loyalty and support for the new monarch as they marched in procession to the palaces of Agura of Gbagura; the Olowu of Owu kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola; the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso before terminating it at the palace of Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Michael Adedotun Gbadebo.
The head, Orile Ilawo hunters, Chief Idowu Tajudeen, told newsmen that they were happy over the approval of MacGregor as their monarch.
Idowu recalled that the Clinical Pharmacologist had uplifted many of indigenes through empowerment programmes, provision of boreholes and solar light facilities to Orile Ilawo residents and granting of scholarship to tens of indigent ones to enhance their access to education.
He said the solidarity walk was meant to thank the governor and sectional monarchs for their support towards the emergence of MacGregor and to also tell the Oba – elect that the people were solidly behind him.
