Installation ceremony of new Timi of Ede begins

Tunde Oyekola, Osogbo - 17.01.2008

The traditional rites for the installation of the newly-appointed Timi of Ede, Prince Muniru Adesola Lawal, started on Wednesday in Ede where he was decorated with the Akoko leaves.

The leader of the 12–man kingmakers, Jagun of Ede, Chief Hassan Olabiyi, performed the traditional rites of decorating the new ruler with Akoko leaves which signified his enthronement as the 14th Timi of Ede.

The activities, which took place at the market square in front of the palace amid tight security, was witnessed by a large crowd of Ede indigenes who hailed the new king who was the first from Laminisa Ruling house.

The traditional rites, which started at about 8.30 a.m., lasted several hours. After the decoration and prayers by the head of the kingmakers and other traditional chiefs, the new traditional ruler danced and prostrated seven times for the people and the kingmakers.

After all the rites, the new monarch was led by the kingmakers to a house known as Ile Ikolaba where he will stay incommunicado for the next three days.

It was gathered that after the three-day traditional rite at the place, the new monarch will now have the right to sit on the throne of his ancestors in the palace.

Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman of Ede South Local Government Area, Dr. Bahir Salam, described the appointment of the new traditional ruler as the best that could have happened to the community.

He described the monarch as the best choice among the three candidates selected for the throne and advised others who lost to him to give their maximum support in the overall interest of the community.

In his speech, the Timi-elect, who shed tears of joy as he was being decorated, said that his appointment came to him as a shock, adding that his vision for the community was the physical and human development.