In continuation of the 90th birthday celebration of Oba Olatunde Falabi, the Lanbeloye III and Alakire of Ikire, Osun State, the elderly in the ancient town, on Monday, received free medical outreach with consultation, and medicines.
The medical outreach, is packaged in association with the Geriatrics unit of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and the Oyo State branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), in honour of the monarch who is being celebrated for his peaceful and impactful reign in the town.
The birthday celebration which kicked off on Friday, January 17, with a prayer session followed by the Jumaat service at the Central mosque also featured a special reception on Saturday where some prominent indigenes were honoured. The event was rounded off with a thanksgiving service at RCCG province 11 Headquarters, Ikire with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye in attendance. Oba Falabi is also a pastor of the RCCG.
In his Sermon at the Thanksgiving Service, Pastor Adeboye congratulated Oba Falabi for attaining the ripe age of 90 and thanked God for the monarch’s peaceful reign over the years, amid landmark achievements since he ascended the throne a little over 30 years ago. He enjoined the congregation to seek after the fear of God and prayed for peaceful coexistence in Ikireland for as long as it pleases God.
Governor Adeleke, who was represented by the Commissioner For Culture & Tourism, Hon. Ojo Fafa Abiodun, in his message also showered encomium on the monarch whose reign, many testified at the event, has transformed Ikireland with landmark developments both in infrastructure, economically, educationally, and politically.
The governor wondered which town in Osun state, apart from Ikire currently has a serving senator, serving commissioner and member of the State House of Assembly? He therefore urged Ikire indigenes to embrace peace and rally round the Akire while hoping for further developments.
Other speakers extoled the great virtue of Oba Falabi in different spheres of life. Senator Lere Oyewumi now a first class chief in Ikireland, for instance, lauded the monarch for his encouragement and urged indigenes to further embrace politics. He recalled those days when people were begged to take up political positions in Ikire. The situation, he said, has changed following his own entry into politics, saying many educated Ikire indigenes are now in politics today.
The 3-day event event also had in attendance the Osun state governor, Asiwaju Ademola Jackson Adeleke who was represented by the Commissioner For Culture & Tourism, Hon. Ojo Fafa Abiodun, Senator Lere Oyewumi representing Osun West, Hon Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji Member, Osun 8th Assembly, Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, State Commissioners as well as traditional rulers in the state such as the Olokuku of Okuku, Alapomu of Apomu, Olowu of Owu, among other royal fathers, representatives of Hon. Bola Oyebamiji, MD/CEO, National Inland Waterways Authority who is away in Saudi Arabia for Umrah and several other Ikire sons, and daughters both home and abroad.
Born on January 20th, 1935 to the family of Late Prince Saliu Omoboyede and Madam Ajibola Olugun Falabi. Oba Olatunde Falabi, the Lanbeloye III and Akire of Ikire Kingdom was before ascending the throne a practicing and renowned Pharmacist, Entrepreneur and Farmer.
He was Chairman, Board of Trustee, Oba Falabi Foundation (NGO), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Oba Falabi (Nig.) Ltd and former Commercial Manager, ROCHE (Nig.) Limited Lagos.
A Fellow of The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Oba Falabi’s paramount goal is “for an average indigene of Ikire kingdom and indeed every Nigerian with or without opportunity of relocating to a metropolitan Nigerian city and overseas to find fulfillment living in their fatherland and for those returning home from overseas and cities to live peacefully, sleeping with their two eyes close at all times.”
