By Idris Katib
The Deputy Registrar in charge of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Alhaji Mutiu Adedimeji Oyede-Lawal, has been declared the next Oloola of Ilara Kingdom following the selection procedure of the Kingmakers and Regency Council on the 28th May, 2024.
The date of his coronation will be announced in due course.
The Proprietor and Chairman Board of Trustees, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Prince Mahruf Adesegun Ajibola, SAN, described the new king’s ascension as “almost an event foretold”, stressing that
HRM Oba Mutiu Adedimeji Oyede-Lawal is “a personality who carries himself well, always well attired, regal, calm, quick to smile, focused and dutiful.
“His ascension to Royalty is a testimony and endorsement of his sterling qualities. May Almighty Allah bless his reign with longevity, good health, and wisdom”,he concluded.
The keenly contested stool witnessed four princes nominated by the Faningbe/Igbaka Ruling House as follows: Alhaji Mutiu Adedimeji Oyede-Lawal, Elder Olusegun David Opeilu, Mr Kehinde Akanni Adesina and Chief Angel Alabi Adebiyi.
After casting their votes for the contestants of their choice, the kingmakers realised there was a tie of two votes apiece between Alhaji Mutiu Adedimeji Oyede-Lawal and Elder Olusegun David Opeilu.
Consequently, the chairman of the kingmakers was asked to break the tie with his vote which he cast in favour of Alhaji Mutiu Oyede-Lawal making the votes to be 3-2.
Recall that the emergence of the Oba-designate, His Royal Majesty Oba Mutiu Alani Adedimeji Oyede-Lawal, the Oloola of Ilara Kingdom makes it the third on a row of traditional rulers produced by Crescent University in the space of six years during which the Olota of Ota Kingdom, HRM Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege (Lanlege Ekun II) and Oba of Ado-Odo, HRM Oba Olusola Idris Osolo (Otenibotemole II) were crowned as traditional rulers of their various kingdoms.
Until his selection, Oba Mutiu Adedimeji Oyede-Lawal was Deputy Registrar and Secretary to the School of Postgraduate Studies at Crescent University Abeokuta.
A pioneer member of staff, he has Master’s degree (M. Ed.) in Education Management from the University of Ibadan, Bachelor of Science (B. Ed.) in Accounting from Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University,Ago Iwoye and National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Computer Science/Mathematics from Federal College of Education, Abeokuta.
A pioneer member of staff, he has served in various capacity of Crescent University for almost two decades.
He also served in different Committees of the university such as Admissions Committee, Ceremonials Committee, Students’ Disciplinary Committee, Scholarship Committee, Fundraising Committee and several others where he made significant contributions.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibraheem Gbajabiamila on behalf of the Governing Council, management, staff and students expressed “hearty congratulations to the Oba elect, HRM Mutiu Lawal Adedimeji to the esteemed throne of Oloola of Ilara, describing it as well deserved by a diligent and hard worker who served the university meritoriously as a pioneer Staff rising to the Deputy Registrar”.
In his goodwill message, the Registrar, Barr. Zakariyya Ajibola congratulated the new Oba-designate, wishing him a prosperous transition from the university administration to the stool of his ancestors.
