Ekiti State Government on Tuesday mourned the passage of Oba Elijah Olorunnisola, the Onikogosi of Ikogosi Ekiti in Ekiti-West Local Government Area, at the age of 97, describing it as saddening and painful.
The state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, who is a native of the community, described the 33 years’ reign of the departed monarch, who was from the Otutubiosun Royal Dynasty, as “peaceful and progressive.”
The deputy governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, who delivered the state government’s condolence message during a visit to Onikogosi’s Palace in Ikogosi, said that Oyebanji ought to have visited the palace since the official announcement of the monarch’s passage, but could not do so because he was currently on official engagements outside Ekiti state.
Afuye, according to a statement by his media assistant, Victor Ogunje, titled, ‘EKSG mourns death of Onikogosi, says demise sad, painful’, sympathised with Oyebanji and members of the Onikogosi-in-council on the passage of the monarch.
She stated,
“Though we don’t normally mourn Kabiyesis in Yoruba culture, there is no way we won’t feel his departure because Oba Olorunnisola had a penchant for love, peace and progress. We know that he will be sorely missed.
“We are appealing to you to please take the current situation with calmness. We should just see that Kabiyesi has joined his ancestors to rest after serving you meritoriously. There is nothing we can do about it. We pray that God will uphold the family he left behind.
“Rather than mourning Kabiyesi, you should pray that the land should progress and develop better than he left it. Kabiyesi was even lucky to have lived long and reigned for over three decades. These rare privileges are worth celebrating.
“We should also pray for a peaceful ascension onto the vacant stool. God will fill the vacuum he left behind for you and those of you he left behind should continue where he stopped.”
Responding on behalf of the family, the monarch’s widow, Olori Funmilayo Olorunnisola, praised the state government for showing empathy and concern for the family and town at this trying time.
