By Ayo Arowojolu
Owu indigenes, both locally in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital and in the diaspora, are trouping out in large numbers to celebrate their monarch, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof Saka Matemilola, the Otileta VII, who is marking his 2nd anniversary of coronation on the throne.
The week-long events begin today, Monday July 29, 2024 with inter-faith prayers, while a grand occasion marking the Monarchs 60th birthday holds on Sunday August 4, 2024.
The celebrations continue on Tuesday July 30th with traditional rites while a series of chieftaincy installation ceremonies will hold for deserving title chiefs on Wednesday July 31and Thursday August 1.
The week-long event is expected to assume a cerebral dimension on Friday August 2 when former Rivers State Governor, Donald Duke will mount the podium as Guest Speaker at a Symposium holding at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex, Abeokuta.
According to a schedule of activities released by palace sources, Fridays August 3, is for socials at the popular community event centre called ORI OMI located at Oke-Sokori.
To round off the celebrations is the grand occasion of the monarch’s party slated to hold at the Marquee, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex.
For the people of Owu Kingdom, it’s been two remarkable years of peace, progress and development. The traditional ruler has been leveraging his wealth of industry and business experience to redefine and transform the role of traditional institution.
Beside this, Oba Matemilola is firmly focussed on various empowerment programmes to uplift the standard of living of the Owu people particularly those in the lower rungs of the ladder in the society.
Oba Matemilola, whose career path has intertwined with the academia especially in the petroleum engineering field, ascended the enviable throne of his forefathers on 27th July, 2022 while his Staff of Office was handed over to him by the Ogun State Governor in October that same year.
The mantle was passed to him by his predecessor, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, Amororo II who reigned from July 2005 till December 2021.
Born on August 4, 1964, Oba Matemilola has his roots from the Otileta Ruling House, a dynasty known for its significant role in Owu Kingdom.
He is a great grandson of Oluyalo of the 18th century.
The monarch completed his primary education at the St. Patrick’s School in Lagos State, following which he proceeded to Abeokuta Grammar School. The University of Ibadan was his next port of call to study Mechanical Engineering, graduating with First Class honours.
Oba Matemilola subsequently earned a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution after which he proceeded to the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, bagging a PhD in Applied Mechanics.
