Culture

Ijesaland palace Declares Adebola Orolugbagbe’s Claim to Odole Title Illegitimate, Warns Public Against Recognition

Published

10 months ago

October 30, 2025

Owa Obokun palace dismisses Adebola Orolugbagbe’s claim to the Odole title as false, warning the public against giving him recognition

Owa Obokun palace dismisses Odole claim by Mr Adebola Orolugbagbe, describing his assertion of holding the title of Odole Owa of Ijesaland as false, misleading, and without legitimacy.

Also read: Owa-Ale Urges Government to Harness Olokemeji Festival

The palace, in a statement signed by the Personal Secretary to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, John Abe, and made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday in Osogbo, cautioned the public against recognising or extending any privileges to Orolugbagbe under the disputed title.

The clarification followed an earlier statement by the Odole Chieftaincy Family, signed by Olumide Asaolu, which insisted that Orolugbagbe remained the Odole of Ilesa and rejected the installation of Makanjuola Afolabi as the new Odole by the palace.

The family maintained that only the Osun State Government had the authority to remove Orolugbagbe after due process, describing any other installation as unconstitutional and unlawful.

However, the Owa Obokun’s palace dismissed those claims, asserting that based on official records, the last recognised Odole Owa was High Chief Ayinde Oladele Jeje.

It explained that the former Owa, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, had not notified the state government of any completed selection process for Orolugbagbe before his demise.

“We state without any equivocation that the governor will only approve the selection and appointment of an Odole when the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland completes the process and notifies the government,” the statement read.

The palace clarified that the last recognised Odole, High Chief Ayinde Oladele Jeje, was duly confirmed after government notification by Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.

Since no such communication was made regarding Orolugbagbe, his claim, the palace said, “remained unrealistic and delusional.”

“Oba Aromolaran had not notified the state government of the completion of the selection of Mr Adebola Orolugbagbe before his demise, despite the length of the intervening period.

Consequently, Mr Adebola Orolugbagbe remained an ordinary person, as he was unable to vote during the process of selecting Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as Owa Obokun Adimula,” it added.

When contacted, Orolugbagbe offered a brief response to The PUNCH: “Ok. I will call you later on.”

The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, ascended the throne on 27 December 2024 after a transparent selection process conducted by kingmakers of the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House.

Also read: Gov. Oyebanji Installs New Owa of Ayebode Ekiti to Boost Unity

Since assuming office, Oba Haastrup has established a panel on conduct, chieftaincy matters, and land disputes to strengthen traditional administration and foster harmony in Ijesaland.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”