…weeks after his elevation as Vice Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas
By Chris Onuoha
His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Michael Odunayo Ajayi, JP. the Arowotawaya II, Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa, has been receiving outpour of accolades and goodwill messages on his appointment as Vice Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas and a distinguished meritorious award conferred on him by the Osun State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The elevation, which points to his visible impact and sociocultural relevance in traditional and cultural matters in the State, come amidst the recognition by the NUJ, Osun State chapter, that speaks on his exemplary leadership and contributions to community development, youth empowerment and healthcare interventions in his community and beyond.
Oba Ajayi, who is the National Deputy President of the Yoruba Obas Forum, is a frontliner in leadership roles, traditional and cultural affairs, as well as prominent voice in national matters.
Oba Arowotawaya II is an alumnus of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution of Nigeria (FiADRN), a Fellow of the Institute of Conflict Management of Nigeria (FiCMN), and an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Information Management (FIIM).
Oba Arowotawaya II has actively participated in the annual conferences of the African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ACLARS), headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The conferences have been held in many African countries, where his views have featured prominently.
The cerebral monarch, whose media visibility on societal issues is matched by his wealth of knowledge in traditional and religious matters, has on many occasions and in numerous publications advocated for traditional rulers in Nigeria to occupy positions in governance as the third tier of government and to be allowed to handle security matters at the grassroots.
At many fora, he has argued that traditional rulers know their communities better than the government and should serve as effective watchdogs on security matters. He has noted that, in the current digital age, kings can effectively control and protect their domains from intruders.
Oba Elerinmo serves as a board member of many reputable organisations. He is a patron of many youth organisations and has contributed greatly to the development of his once-sleepy, agrarian community, helping it attain tourism prominence.
More encomiums and goodwill wishes have come from friends, associates and influential personalities, among them, his dear wife, Olori Aderonke Ajayi; Professor Busola Adepoju; Prophetess Ogunwumi Olubunmi; HRH Sooko Prince Samuel Oyindamola Adewoye; Dr. Adebusola Onilogbo Odedina; Revered Dr. Ebunoluwa Oluwaseyi Bakare (Mama Gboromiro); and Iyalode A Shabby Gold.
Others include Pastor Kayode Agbetoye, Chairman of HBL Foundation; Alhaja Chief F.O. Binta Shoge, Yeye Sewa; Imam Oladega; and many others.
As Oba Elerinmo adds more monumental feather to his ever increasing regal hat, including the position of Vice Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas, well-wishers pray that his days be long, that he may fulfil God’s promises upon his life, and that he may continue delivering human-centred services to humanity.
