…Residents laud provision of transformers, 56 boreholes, empowerment initiatives
Daud Olatunji
Eulogies and prayers have poured in for an aspirant to the revered Awujale stool of Ijebuland, Prince Omooba Abimbola John Onabanjo, popularly known as OAO, as beneficiary communities across Ijebu-Ode and other parts of Ijebuland celebrated him on his birthday.
Residents of several communities, including women and traders, used the occasion to acknowledge his philanthropic interventions, particularly the provision of electricity transformers and boreholes, which they said had brought relief to their people.
In Idegun-Ogbogbo, residents gathered around a transformer donated by the prince to celebrate his birthday, expressing appreciation for what they described as a significant intervention in addressing the community’s electricity challenges.
The women, who offered prayers for Onabanjo and his family, also extended their appreciation to his wife, Olori, for her support.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, they prayed that the prince would continue to enjoy happiness, good health and prosperity, saying his generosity towards the community would not go unrewarded.
“As you have made us happy here through the provision of transformers, may you not know sorrow. Your children, wife and businesses will continue to be sources of happiness to you.
“We appreciate you and thank you immensely, Omooba Onabanjo and your Olori. On behalf of everybody in Idegun-Ogbogbo, we say your light will never dim,” they said.
Similarly, women in another community where Onabanjo facilitated the provision of a borehole gathered to celebrate him, offering prayers for his continued success and expressing gratitude for the intervention.
The women described the birthday as another opportunity to appreciate his contributions to their welfare, expressing hope that more developmental projects would follow.
“This will not be the last. Happy birthday,” they prayed.
Onabanjo is among 95 princes and one princess reportedly in contention for the Awujale stool, one of the most prominent traditional institutions in Yorubaland.
His growing public profile has been linked partly to his philanthropic activities across Ijebuland, where his interventions have reportedly included the provision of 56 boreholes in different communities, empowerment programmes for artisans and beauty professionals, educational assistance and other community development initiatives.
He has also donated 10 new electricity transformers to communities across Ijebuland, Ogun State, in interventions aimed at restoring power supply to areas that had endured prolonged periods of darkness.
Beyond his philanthropic activities, Onabanjo’s royal ancestry remains a significant part of his identity and connection to the Awujale institution.
He has also sought to combine his traditional heritage with contemporary skills, international exposure and entrepreneurial experience, presenting himself as a potential bridge between Ijebuland’s cultural heritage and modern development aspirations.
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