For 32 years, Oba Sikir Adeyiga, the Onirolu of Irolu-Remo, ruled his people without a palace. From his family compound, he held meetings, received guests, and settled disputes, often dreaming of the day his community would have a befitting royal home. That dream, nurtured for more than three decades, finally became reality over the weekend.

Tears of joy filled the eyes of the 87-year-old monarch as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; the Odole-Oodua of Ife, Sir Kesington Adebutu; and former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, joined other dignitaries to inaugurate the newly built Onirolu Palace in Irolu-Remo, Ikenne Local Council of Ogun State.

The ultra-modern edifice stands as a symbol of perseverance and community spirit. It features royal apartments for the king and queen, guest quarters, a library with historical records of Irolu-Remo, domestic staff quarters, a meeting chamber, and a fully air-conditioned hall equipped with CCTV and a standby generator, all marking a major cultural and developmental milestone for the ancient town.

At the colourful ceremony, Apala music maestro Musiliu Haruna Ishola thrilled guests with his signature tunes as friends, family members, indigenes and well-wishers celebrated in joy.

Members of the palace standing committee, including Col. Dele Oyefuga (rtd.), Yeyemofin Omotola Rotimi, Prince Adekunle Adeyiga, Prince Niyi Oyenusi, and the Irolu Development Association (IDA) Chairman, Jimmy Akinsanya, expressed delight that the monarch’s long-held dream had finally come to fruition.

Representing the Ooni of Ife, the Agbolu of Agbaje-Ife, Oba Adekunle Adebowale, conveyed the Ooni’s blessings and prayers for the aged monarch.

“Kabiyesi Ooni asked me to greet you, Onirolu, at your new palace,” he said.

“He would have loved to attend but could not, as he marks his birthday today. He asked me to pray that God will grant you longevity to reign and conduct activities from this palace. May it be a place of peace and blessings for the people of Irolu-Remo.”

The Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, commended the Onirolu for his vision and dedication, praying that he would reign long and enjoy the fruits of his labour.

“Kabiyesi Onirolu is a selfless king; he has done so much for this land,” he said. “Every community should pray to have a good monarch like him. I urge the sons and daughters of Irolu-Remo to ensure that this palace is well maintained. It must remain a heritage for future generations.”

The Odole-Oodua of Ife, Sir Kesington Adebutu, who played a major role in supporting the project, described Oba Adeyiga as a selfless leader whose persistence made the vision possible. “Kabiyesi is a selfless king. I know how worried he was when the palace project was delayed, but today, we thank God that it has become a reality,” Adebutu said.

He also commended Senator Daniel for sponsoring the bill for the creation of Ijebu State, expressing optimism that it would one day materialise. “All your efforts for Ijebu State will come to pass,” he told Daniel. “This palace will always remain cool and peaceful.”

In his remarks, Senator Daniel congratulated the monarch for his resilience and determination. “Kabiyesi has shown what forthrightness and persistence can achieve,” he said. “This palace is not just a building; it’s a legacy of faith and leadership.”

In an emotional speech, Oba Adeyiga recounted the challenges of ruling without a palace and the long journey that led to the project’s completion. He said he was the 13th Onirolu of Irolu-Remo and the first to build a palace since the community’s founding.

“It was written in my acceptance speech that if God allowed me to be the true Oba of this community, I would be the first to build a palace in Irolu,” he recalled. “I thank God; it took long, but it has come to pass. I bought this land for N570,000, using part of the money we raised to build the police station. We started small, and today, here we are.”

The monarch said the palace would serve as a unifying centre for his people.

“Where a king has no palace, the work is not complete,” he said. “Now, our people will have a place to meet, discuss, and plan. This palace will motivate those abroad to return home and take part in community development.”

He expressed gratitude to Sir Adebutu, Senator Daniel, and the Irolu-Remo community for their contributions and disclosed plans to revive the Irolu-Remo Community Fund, which previously supported traders and artisans before becoming inactive five years ago.

Caption: Senator representing Ogun East and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (left); representative of the Ooni of Ife, the Agbolu of Agbaje-Ife, ?ba Adekunle Adebowale; Odole-Oodua, Sir Kensington Adebutu; the Onirolu of Irolu-Remo, ?ba Sikiru Adeyiga; and the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, ?ba Babatunde Ajayi, during the commissioning of the new Onirolu Palace.