19th November, 2012
The ancient town of Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria was agog today as the former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, were conferred with chieftaincy titles by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo OkuKenu IV
The ACN leader was conferred with the title of Aare-ago of Egbaland, meaning Field Marshal of Egbaland, while his wife was installed Erelu Aare-ago.
The conferment of the chieftaincy titles was part of the activities marking the seventh coronation anniversary of Alake of Egbaland.
The ancient town was almost at a standstill as politicians from across the country, former and serving public officers, lawmakers were in attendance to felicitate with the ACN leader.
Inspite of the assassination of one of Tinubu’s political associates and former Ikeja Local Government Chairman, Toyin Hamzat, yesterday, the atmosphere was tension-free.
As at press time, a church service was ongoing at St. Peter’s Cathedral Ake, Abeokuta. Thereafter the celebration train would move to the palace of Alake at Ake Palace.
It was learnt that the chieftaincy celebration might be cut short as Tinubu and his political associates at Abeokuta might move to Ijebu-Ayepe to attend the burial of the former council boss.
—Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta