The Oba Ara Ruling House of Ikirun has presented Prince Mukaila Gbolagade Adeyemi as its candidate for the vacant stool of the Akinrun of Ikirun.
Adeyemi, who hails from the Oyejola lineage of the Oba Ara Ruling House in Amola Compound, Oke-Amola, Ikirun, was formally presented by members of his family at the residence of the Eesa of Ikirun land and head of the Akinrun-in-Council, High Chief Kareem Adetoyese.
The presentation marked the formal declaration of the ruling house’s support for Adeyemi’s aspiration to occupy the traditional stool.
Adeyemi is a chartered accountant and financial expert with extensive professional and public-service experience spanning several years.
He attended Nawarudeen Primary School and Orimolade Commercial Grammar School, both in Ikirun, before obtaining qualifications in Banking, Accounting and Finance, including a B.Sc. in Accountancy and an MBA in Finance.
He is a fellow of several professional bodies and began his career with the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) before voluntarily retiring to establish Mukaila Adeyemi & Co., a forensic and chartered accounting firm with offices in Bauchi, Abuja and Kano. He also served as the Managing Director of Efficiency Consultant Limited.
Between 2007 and 2015, Adeyemi held several public-service positions in Bauchi State under former Governor Isa Yuguda, including Special Assistant on Yoruba Affairs and Finance, Senior Special Assistant on Non-Indigene Affairs and Director-General of Community Relations.
Speaking on his candidacy, Adeyemi said his professional accomplishments, public-service experience and longstanding commitment to the development of Ikirun influenced his family’s decision to present him for the traditional stool.
“My background, wealth of experience, academic attainment, credentials, family and community engagement made my family present me as their candidate for Akinrun of Ikirun, which is presentable before the Akinrun-in-Council,” he said.
He stressed that his interest in the traditional stool was driven by his desire to contribute to the development of Ikirun and not simply because the position became vacant.
“I didn’t show interest because the position is vacant. I showed interest because I want my town to develop and meet up with the standard of the city we’re craving for,” Adeyemi said.
“I want this Ikirun to return to its old glory because we have an uncommon historical background which I want to preserve adequately.”
The prince also highlighted some of his previous efforts to attract development projects and opportunities to Ikirun, insisting that his commitment to the town predated his ambition for the traditional stool.
“I have facilitated many projects to Ikirun. It is not when the issue of kingship came up that I started facilitating projects for Ikirun,” he said.
Adeyemi said he had worked with others to facilitate the proposed Federal College of Education project in Ikirun, although the institution was eventually located in Iwo.
He also disclosed that he had led Japanese representatives to Ikirun for a proposed water project through the Japanese Embassy.
“About two years ago, I led the Japanese to Ikirun for a water project through the Japanese Embassy. The land was allocated to us and what is delaying the project is the dollar exchange rate. Work is ongoing to increase the budget so that it can accommodate the new exchange rate,” he said.
He further recalled his efforts to assist Ikirun indigenes, particularly National Youth Service Corps members, who were posted to Bauchi State.
“Many Ikirun indigenes have always been given accommodation in Bauchi through me, especially corps members. I love my town so much and I want it to progress. That is why I have been facilitating projects even before I showed interest in becoming king,” he said.
Explaining the significance of the presentation, Adeyemi said the visit was to formally communicate the family’s decision to the traditional council.
“All my family came here today to present me to the Akinrun-in-Council as their candidate from the Oyejola lineage of the Oba Ara Ruling House,” he said.
He added that the final decision on who emerges as Akinrun would ultimately depend on God and the established traditional process.
“When the issue of kingship comes up, I have a track record, and now that all our family has ratified me, that is why they all came here today to present me as their candidate for the throne of Akinrun of Ikirun from Amola Ruling House,” he said.
“I am sure that God is the only one that can do it, and that is why I came here to meet the kingmakers.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Oba Ara Ruling House, Prince Abdulfatai Adetoro, described Adeyemi as a respected member of the family with an impressive track record.
“Prince Mukaila Adeyemi is a wonderful child of our family. We all agreed to put him forward because he has a good track record in the family. That is why we followed him here today for the presentation as a candidate for Akinrun,” Adetoro said.
He expressed confidence that Adeyemi would deploy his exposure and experience to the development of Ikirun if selected as the next traditional ruler.
The Secretary of the Oba Ara Ruling House, Prince Ganiyu Babalola, also described Adeyemi as a strong pillar of the family, saying his commitment to the ruling house and the community was unquestionable.
“We are very happy to come here today because he is a good pillar in our family. We believe that his love for our house and community is high,” Babalola said.
He urged Ikirun residents to support the candidacy of the Amola Ruling House, describing Adeyemi’s longstanding contributions to indigenes of the town as evidence of his commitment to the community.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Eesa of Ikirun land and head of the Akinrun-in-Council, High Chief Kareem Adetoyese, appreciated the Oba Ara Ruling House for formally presenting Adeyemi’s candidacy.
Adetoyese said the outcome of the traditional selection process ultimately remained in God’s hands.
“If God has ordained that Prince Mukaila Adeyemi will be the king, nobody can change it,” he said, while praying for the success of Adeyemi’s aspiration.