BREAKING: Ex-Osun Deputy Gov, Haastrup Emerges As New Owa Obokun Of Ijesaland
A former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Loja Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, from the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, has been selected as the 49th Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Ajimoko III, and the paramount ruler of the region.
Haastrup’s emergence followed an election conducted by the kingmakers, which took place at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat in Ilesa, supervised by the head of the Ilesa East Local Government Administration. He was victorious among nine other contenders for the throne.
In an official statement, Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke approved Haastrup’s appointment as the new Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, with immediate effect. The Governor also announced the appointment of Prince Johnson Adekanmi Abikoye as the new Asaoni of Ora Igbomina.
The approval of these two monarchs was confirmed during a sitting of the Osun State Executive Council, which was presided over by Governor Adeleke on Friday.
Haastrup’s rise to the throne follows the passing of the previous Owa Obokun, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, on September 11, 2024. Similarly, the emergence of Prince Abikoye was after the demise of Oba Tinuoye Atolagbe on November 19, 2023.
Governor Adeleke congratulated the newly approved monarchs and emphasized that their selections followed due process, in accordance with the Chiefs’ Law of Osun State 2002 (Cap 25). He urged the people of Ijesaland and Ora Igbomina to support their new traditional rulers, promoting peace and unity within both regions.
Haastrup, born on September 19, 1948, hails from the Ajimoko royal family in Ijesaland. He served as Deputy Governor of Osun alongside the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke from January 1992 to November 1993.
He received his early education at Eko Boys’ High School and Federal School of Sciences, Lagos, before earning a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University, USA.
