7The ascension of Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya II as the Alara of Ilara over five decades ago makes him the longest reigning Monarch in Lagos State. To this end, he stands with his head high,
most especially, when his outstanding achievements, as well as his understanding and advancement of human and community development are considered. His subject and the entire enclave of Ilara, in Epe division of Lagos State, South West Nigeria, has witnessed till date, tremendous development since October 10 1960, when he mounted the throne.
The long serving Alara of Ilara is the 54th Monarch of the ancient community. Oba Adesanya II, is the son of Prince Abudu Salami and Madam Alimatu Sadia Adesanya. He was born October on 10, 1944, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state, South West Nigeria. Like some of his contemporaries, Oba Adesanya II father got married to three wives and has nine children. Interestingly, the reigning Alara of Ilara’s mother was the last wife of his father, while he is the second son of his mother. The Alara’s stool is rotated among the three prominent towns; including: the first Alara (Oba Adesonwon); settled and left his comestible legacies - Adeleke, Abigi, Onamade, Telade and Alagbala ruling houses, after his departure from Ile-Ife, in Osun, South West.
Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya II, occupies a prominent position in the Alara Adesonwon-Abigi ruling house. To his credit, his name entered the Guinness Book of record in 1961 for being enthroned at the young age of 16. Then, his Royal documented files was transferred from the Old Western region to Lagos Colony and was subsequently handed the staff of office and the Royal insignia by the Action Group of Nigeria (AGN) under the leadership of Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the Prime Minister old Western region. Alara stool is the head and paramount ruler of Epe Obas’ Council since the 13th century. In the same stead, Alara was drafted among the five Principal Obas in Lagos State and one, out of the four permanent Vice Chairmen of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. He ranked alongside the Ayangbunren of Ikorodu; the Akran of Badagry; the Olu of Ikeja and the permanent Chairman of the Epe Divisional Chieftaincy committee.
The biography of the longest reigning Monarch in Lagos State, was published by Mrs. Memunat Gbemisola Akinbayo. In it, the author referred to his Royal Majesty, Oba Adesanya II as a man of destiny and a ‘child of covenant’ - a monarch with immense virtue, understanding and wisdom, who is neither materialistic nor worldly insatiable. The biography affirmed that among the qualities which stand this uncommon traditional ruler out is the fact he is always concerned and obsessed with a strong desire for social change. Oba Adesanya II is an upright; loving personality and Royal father.
Having ruled since independence and to have witnessed inspiring moments in the past, Oba Adesanya II has never for once, lost hope in a better Nigeria. This is the reason why he thinks the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, on March 28, 2015, is an answer to the prolonged wish of many people Nigeria.
The aggregation of the events in contrast to the present and the future of Epe territorial province during the colonial era was influenced by the then Alara. Epe riverine territory is the most comprehensive in Lagos state; hallmarked by its aquatic brilliance, where fishing and domestic farming are the predominant and major professions, practised by the locals.
Epe became part of the British Colony in 1892 under the rulership of the Alara chieftaincy title. Then, Alara got constant patronage from the Old colony province on all major administrative matters affecting the welfare of the Epe divisions and in Lagos State as ''Oba Ijimji'' (Grade A, First Class King). This historical record makes the Alara Chieftaincy title goes with another office - the Chairman of the Epe Divisional Chieftaincy Committee which comprises Aladeshonyin (Odo Noforija), Orijeru (Igbooye), Aladeuraka (Poka), Olu Epe (Epe Eko), Oloja (Epe Ijebu), Aladegunshebi (Odoragunshen), Elejinrin (Ejirin), Alaketu (Ketu), Onibeju (Ibeju), Onise (Ise).
The significant roles played by Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya II during the successive administrations, both the military and civilian, from the former Western region of Nigeria till the present administration of the State, are not debatable and very instructive. With his grass root backing, the Epe division of Lagos State has produced two Executive Governors of the State. These include late Sir Michael Otedola from Odoragunshen town, in the Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and the incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya II long sojourn on the throne in Lagos State has been replicated in the Nigeria’s traditional institution as he has been adjudged the second longest serving traditional ruler in the country, trailing behind His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Paramount ruler and the Awujale of Ijebuland, who was enthroned 2nd of April, 1960.
Coincidentally, history had it that during the eviction of Alara (Adesonwon) from the confines of Ile Ife, he wandered through the land of the Ijebus in the 13th century and visited the eastern part of Ijebu (Ijebu Ife) to pay homage to the then Ajalorun of Ijebu Ife. As at the time Alara's got to Ijebu, the tradition of the Yoruba then, was that the supreme Kings did not meet eye to eye in each other’s domains. Consequently, the Awujale then, left his palace to meet Alara (Oba Adesonwon), at the location where the statue of Obanta (the immediate predecessor of Oba Awujale) was erected in Ijebu Ode, in Ijebu Ode Local Government secretariat, Itoro.
Unfortunately, the advent of modern civilization has militated against passing of the relevant arts, customs, beliefs, values and culture of the Yoruba people from one generation to another.
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