The Coronation Committee for the investiture of His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, as the 41st Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, has released a 10-day programme of activities for the historic event with the solid assurance that Nigerians would witness a never-seen-before epoch.
And as Ijesaland prepares to receive the world, the Palace and the Coronation Committee, have also assured all invited guests of their safety and comfort before, during and after the epochal event holding at Ilesa on Friday, May 23, 2025.
In a statement jointly issued by the Secretary of the Coronation Planning Committee, Lady Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, and Chief Shola Oshunkeye, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, the Coronation Planning Committee, unfurled a 10-day programme of activities that will start on Friday, May 16, and hit a crescendo with the grand coronation of the new Owa on Friday, May 23, 2025.
All events will hold at Ilesa, the capital and heartland of Ijesaland, where strong indications have already emerged that the epoch would be an iconic representation of royal pageantry rarely witnessed in this clime.
As stated, the epoch kicks off on Friday, May 16, 2025, with a special Jumat Service at Ilesa Central Mosque starting at 1 p.m. while cultural celebration holds on Saturday, May 17th, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the newly refurbished Palace Hall. From 9p.m. of the same day, culture and tradition take the centre stage with a grand Isese night holding at the palace courtyard.
On Sunday, May 18, there will be a commencement service at the Owa’s Palace between 12 noon and 2p.m. Monday, May 19, 2025, there will be royal visit to Ijesa South and Ijesa North Royal Fathers between 10a.m. and 4p.m., while Tuesday, May 20, begins at 7a.m. with the kick-off of the Owa Ajimoko III Ijesa Marathon. The grand finale of the coronation sporting activities (football final, presentation of Medals and awards) holds at the Federal Science and Technical College, Oba Oladele Olashore Way, Cappa, Ilesa, between 10a.m. and 4p.m.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, starts at 10a.m. with visits to orphanages where citizens dwelling in them would be shown love in the spirit of the moment. The day continues with a video documentary and workshop organised by the Ijesa Mineral Resources Development Forum, IMRDF, scheduled for between 1p.m. and 6p.m. at the University of Ilesa.
Again, sports take the centre stage on Thursday, May 22, 2025, with the Ajimoko III Coronation Golf Tournament which tees off at 8a.m. The train later moves to the Royal Park International Hotel & Resort, Iloko-Ijesa, where a symposium and Ajimoko III Foundation’s scholarship and empowerment scheme kicks off at 11a.m.
At 10a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, the grand coronation train finally reaches its destination-the Obokungbusi Hall, Ilesa, as His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, is formally crowned as the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland with all the pomp and pageantry that Ijesas could muster.
Moments after his coronation at the Obokungbusi Hall, Owa Haastrup will unveil the Owa Ajimoko III Ijesaland Economic Development Agenda, with a significant investment fundraising initiative.
At 1p.m., a grand royal reception comes up at Ilesa Grammar School where dignitaries and VVIPs will be treated to the best of Ijesa hospitality and carnival-like entertainment that would be the talk of the town for a long time to come. This comes with other enthralling moments like the Legbe Legbe Parade, and various cultural displays as side attractions.
The youths are well taken care of with a lavish after-party event featuring some upcoming artistes and popular DJs at Ilesa Grammar School as well as other designated coronation grounds from 7p.m.
The grand coronation of Ajimoko III will be rounded off on Sunday, May 25, 2025, with an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Otapete Methodist Cathedral, Ilesa, starting from 10 a.m. After the church service, there will be a post-thanksgiving reception at the Palace Arcade.
In the spirit of this beautiful season, when Ijesas are gearing to enthrone one of their most illustrious sons, the Palace and the Coronation Committee also express their profound gratitude to Ijesas at home and in the diaspora, and Nigerians in general, for the rock solid support they have been giving Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup since he emerged as the people’s choice for the exalted throne.
With Owa Haastrup as the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, the statement added, a new era of prosperity and progress, and unspeakable joy, has just begun. They urge continued support and prayers of all Nigerians for the paramount ruler as his reign begins.
It would be recalled that on Friday, December 27, 2024, the Osun State Government, while implementing the decision of the Kingmakers, had announced the selection of then Prince Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, a billionaire business mogul and former Deputy Governor of Osun State, as successor to the departed Owa, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II.
