By Yomi Adeboye
The ancient Yoruba town of Erin-Ile in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, is in festive mood as the people mark the Royal Coronation Celebration of His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Adebowale Adesoye, Adetona I.
This has been the mood since Sunday, November 9, 2025 when sons and daughters of the town kickstarted a week-long programme of events outlined for the joyous occasion with a special church service at St. Mattias Church, Erin-Ile.
The community started a special medical outreach on Monday, November 10, which ended on Friday; it also celebrated the youth and students segments of Erin-Ile’s population.
While Tuesday was set aside for the commissioning of projects at Erin-Ile Secondary School and youth enlightenment activities, Wednesday was filled with fanfare and colour signposted by cultural and traditional displays.
To further Oba Adesoye’s passion for the sustained development and progress of his domain, a National Conference on Erin-Ile Economic Development Strategy and the launch of Moje Development Limited Investment Prospectus was slated for Thursday, November 13.
Besides the Special Juma’at Worship with special prayers, Friday was also for the Final of the Elerin Cup Football Competition held at Baptist Primary School, Erin-Ile.
Saturday’s grand finale of the Royal Coronation Celebration of the Elerin of Erin-Ile surely promises to be one of the most colorful events in recent memory.
Theheraldnews.ng recalls that the immediate past Elerin of Erin-lle Oba AbdulGaniyu Ajibola Olusokun II (MFR), had joined his ancestors on 20th May 2023.
The traditional succession processes that followed the monarch’s transition took a while and culminated in the selection and appointment of His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Adebowale Adesoye, Adetona I as the 21st Elerin of Erin-Ile by His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON).
Consequently, on Saturday, October 19, 2024, Governor AbdulRazaq gave effect to the appointment by presenting the 1st Class Staff of Office to the 21st Elerin ofErin-Ile, Oba Adesoye Adebowale Jimoh, Adetona I. The ceremony took place at the Government House, Ilorin, the State capital,
The Governor had expressed optimism at the event that the monarch will work for peace and development of Erin-lle and the whole of Kwara State.
“I urge Your Royal Highness to lead with compassion and integrity. I request you to promote unity, peace, progress, and the collective well-being of the people of Erin-Ile and the entire Oyun where God has made you the chairman of the Traditional Council.”
He had also appealed to the people of Erin-Ile to fully support their King in the overall interest of the community.
As the celebrations climax today, the United States-based Kwara Development Group (KDG), Erin-Ile Descendants Association (E.D.A. USA) and the family of Bernard and Abisola Adesina are among stakeholders who have been congratulating the monarch.
Kwara Development Group (KDG), noted the “dynamic, progressive and fatherly qualities with which he has directed the affairs of his domain” and wished him long life and prosperity as he pushes for the growth and development of Erin-Ile.
Erin-Ile Descendants Association (E.D.A. USA) acknowledged “the uprightness and fatherly disposition with which His Royal Majesty has been leading us since ascending the throne of his forefathers one year ago” and prayed for many more years, wisdom and protection for the King.
The family of Bernard and Abisola Adesina of Ile Inurin Compound, Erin-Ile “equally congratulates our beloved King on this occasion and prays for long life, peace, unity and prosperity for all indigenes of Erin-Ile”.
Oba Adesoye Adebowale Jimoh, Adetona I was born to the family of Prince and Princess Lamidi Akande Adesoye on April 16, 1949.
He was educated in Ghana, Nigeria and the United States of America. Prior to his travelling to the United States of America, he had been a teacher at Government Secondary School, Birnin Gwari and worked with Fougerolle Nigeria Limited during the construction of the Jebba Dam.
Apart from his certificates obtained from the Institute of Marketing, United Kingdom, he holds the Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from the United States of America.
A certified Public Accountant, Oba Adesoye Adebowale Jimoh, Adetona I once served as a lecturer at City University, Bellevue, USA where he taught Micro and Macro Economics and Managerial Accounting to undergraduate and graduate students for four years.
He established and managed his own businesses in the health sector and a holding company with offices in parts of Washington State, USA.
Although he lived in the diaspora for a considerable length of time, the traditional ruler has to his credit several laudable contributions to the development of Erin-Ile and Kwara State, including the following: Construction of a four-room toilet at Muslim Primary School in Erin-Ile; Distribution of exercise books to schools in Erin-Ile; Renovation and provision of furniture at Erin-Ile Secondary School; Regular donations towards Erin Day; Awarding a scholarship to an Erin-Ile indigene studying Medicine at the University of Ilorin; Donations to the Erin-Ile Security Committee; Distribution of exercise books to primary schools at Pakata, llorin; Sinking of boreholes at strategic locations for public use in Erin-Ile; Collaboration with Seattle-based Kwarans (KSANG) to procure modern medical equipment for hospitals in Erin-lle, Ipee, Odo-Owa, Obbo-Aiyegunle and Ilorin. Oba Adetona I and Olori Sherifat Ayodele are blessed by the Almighty with children.
