The Owu Kingdom says it is organising a night of tribute and thanksgiving service for the late Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosumu.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday at the Olowu Palace, Oke Ago Owu, Abeokuta, the Jagunmolu of Owu, Chief Rotimi Olasode-Martins, said the activities were to celebrate the passing of their late traditional ruler.
The Jagunmolu noted that the programmes will hold on Friday, January 21, Saturday, 22 and Sunday, 23.
OgunToday reports that Oba Dosumu had joined his ancestors on December 12, 2021 at the age of 85.
Olasode-Martins, who is also the Chairman, Planning Committee of the two-day event tagged ‘Celebration of Life’, explained that the committee, having got the nod of the Balogun of Owu Kingdom, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, will organize a night of tribute on Friday at Oba Adisa Odeleye Park, Sokori, Abeokuta, starting from 4p.m.
He added that the interdenominational/interfaith service to be conducted by the Ogun State Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Owu Muslim Community, will commence by 10a.m on Saturday at the same venue.
The Owu High Chief, however, said a Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, at the Mainland Baptist Church at Oke Ago-Owu.
The Akogun of Owu, Chief Isola Akinsipo, said that the selection process for the next monarch will commence after all the rites for the late Olowu have been completed.
He added that before the end of the year, the new Olowu which will come from Otileta Ruling House will emerge.
He said that Owu traditional rulers does not go through mutilation after their deaths.
The state government recently made a law on how traditional rulers in the state should be buried, stating that the families of the respective Obas should have a say on how they are buried henceforth.
The law which allows the families to determine how Obas will be interred and, of course, without prejudice to the traditional rites that are meant to be performed by the customary laws. Going forward, the families now have a say on how our royal fathers should be buried.”
Akinshipo said all what government was doing was protection , saying there was no cause for alarm.