Alaafin of Oyo, oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi has conferred chieftaincy title on member of the House of Representatives, Shina Abiola Peller
Installing Shina Peller and his wife , Ayobola as the Ayedero and Yeye Ayedero of Yorubaland ,Alaafin charged him to assist in defending and uplifting the Yoruba race.
According to Oba Adeyemi, the honour was bestowed on them to demonstrate to the world that hard work paid, saying he was expected to deploy energy, vigour and experience in making life easy for people as their title implies.
Reacting, recipient of the title, Shina Peller who appreciated the Alaafin for conferring the title on him expressed readiness to make the best use of it by protecting the Yoruba people and their cultures.
He described Alaafin as a highly visionary traditional leader who encouraged him to delve into politics.
” Alaafin of Oyo was the first person that from his vast wealth of wisdom advised me to join politics and contest for election in service of our people. As my father, I had heeded his wise counsel, and today, even though politics is challenging, I have never regretted the fact that I listened to his advice. Even though it is not in my personal culture to celebrate awards and honours as I always consider them as a challenge of responsibility, this time, it is different as my inspiring father, His Imperial Majesty has given me wider platform and a greater challenge to continue to promote the peace and prosperity of the Yorubaland.
“In carrying the responsibilities that come with this honour, I am mindful of those cherished lessons and values I have learnt from His Imperial Majesty, who taught me that nothing in life is constant; that we must remember that time is life and things change every here and there; that we must spend everything about us in service of our people; and that there are times some things in the world will be incomprehensible to all. “He said.
Security was extremely tight at the event attended by eminent personalities drawn from across sectiors of the country, including serving politicians and monarchs.
Kayode Oguntona
