Ikunle Festival and ceremony represent an annual renewal of the oath of loyalty the Chiefs have made to the Deji as an institution in our traditional system when they were appointed and installed by him.

It is of particular significance to all the Chiefs, high or low, but even more so to High Chief Asamo the Head of the Ejua Group and the custodian of the central shrine of Akure Supreme Deity Obanifon located inside his Palace at Udi Aagba. Asamo is like “Ilekun Ojuna Arinu r’Ode” between the Deji and the Akure Council of Chiefs.

A Deji who is wise and rational would do everything to be in good terms with his Asamo to say the least.

By the same token all the Palace Servants Omode Owa from Omolaare to Osuwajo, Oyeseri and Obabire, Osukute and Sele in particular to mention a few are required to renew their oath of loyalty to the Deji as an institution annually at the Ikunle
Ceremony.

The “Sele” in particular is the first person to see Kabiyesi in the morning and the last to see Kabiyesi before his bed time and the only one close enough other than any Olori to enter his bed room to be sure all is well with Kabiyesi.

I document all of these things because lack of documentation is the bane of our society.

My congratulations to Kabiyesi and the Akure Council of Chiefs and to “Asamo Olopon Ude, O beru ko sayo” in particular.

Long live the Deji and long live the Akure Council of Chiefs.

Dr. Wumi Akintide.