The ancient town of Ikere-Ekiti was in festive mood yesterday as its new monarch, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu formally assumed the throne of his forefathers with a pledge to work for the unity and progress of the town.

The new monarch was on July 6, presented with the staff of office by Governor Ayodele Fayose, which gave him a leeway to proceed to a solitary confinement as dictated by the tradition of the town.

But the monarch yesterday concluded all traditional rites required to mount the Ogoga stool after which he was ushered into the palace amidst pomp and pageantry. The indigenes went into wild jubilation immediately news filtered into town that he picked the traditional calabash of salt out of the three presented to him, which they said signified that his reign will witness peace and development.

He succeeded the last occupant of the throne, Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye from the Akayejo Ruling House who joined his ancestors on August 22 last year after reigning for 43 years.

A massive crowd trooped out to witness the final rites of passage to the palace as the entire town was turned to a huge carnival amidst singing, dancing and drumming.

Oba Adu received homage from traditional chiefs, quarter chiefs, age-grade groups, women groups, youths, interest groups and ethnic nationalities who wished him a peaceful reign on the throne of his forefathers.

According to him, he felt fulfilled and humbled becoming the 27th Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, promising to justify the confidence reposed in him by the kingmakers and other stakeholders in the community.

He explained that he would use his new position to pursue the peace of the town in order to experience rapid socio-economic development as an important town in Ekiti land. The new monarch also used the opportunity to extend hands of fellowship to other princes who contested the throne with him, promising his readiness to always carry them and other indigenes along in the day-to-day running of the ancient town.

While emphasizing that development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace, Oba Adu said he has started reaching out to his co-contestants and other people who are aggrieved by his emergence to join hands and lift the town to greater heights.