Renowned journalist and businessman, Bowale Oluwole Arisekola, has joined the Obaship race after his installation as the Mogaji Ajenigi-Eye of Yemetu-Oje, Ibadan by the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1.

The gangling publisher of Ireland-based journal, The Street Journal, was installed as Mogaji alongside other dignitaries and indigenes of Ibadan at a ceremony that was held at the Olubadan palace, Popo Yemoja, Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday, November 22, 2021.

Arisekola’s conferment was described as a welcomed development by those in attendance owing to his activities in the development of Yemetu-Oje area of Ibadan and philanthropic gestures through his NGO foundation.

The highly resourceful and architect of growth and development was spotted with his beautiful wife on the occasion.

Other Mogajis, who were installed at the Popoyemoja palace of the Olubadan include Chief Jello Oyeniran as Mogaji Oyediran, Prof Sabitu Arin Olagoke as Mogaji Aare Ojaba, Alhaji Jamiu Sittu Lagbeja as Mogaji Lagbeja, Alhaji Sulaimon Akanji Olamoyegun as Mogaji Olamoyegun, Isiaq Oladokun Adetoyeje as Mogaji Omoteli, Kazeem Muritala Oyinloye as Mogaji Moro-nfolu.

In attendance of the installation ceremony were Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Diaspora, Mrs Bolanle Sarumi-Aliyu; Mr. Sylvester Olurotimi, veteran journalist, Mr. Olayinka Agboola, Oyo State Government top officials and Ibadanland high chiefs.

The event, which had in attendance, families, friends, and close associate of Mogaji Arisekola, witnessed a gathering of top echelon of the society from Abuja to Lagos and Ibadan.

Speaking with journalists at a brief reception in his Bodija residence shortly after the installation ceremomy, Arisekola noted that his installation has further confirmed his people’s acceptance of his good deeds as well as his commitment towards the development of Ibadan land and Oyo State at large.

He said, “This is just the beginning of greater things to come to my family, people, kinsmen, and Ibadan land as a whole. My plan is to consult wide and round my kinsmen in Yemetu-Oje to know what my people lack and how to cushion effect while working with the government to provide basic amenities. Already, I have been an active player in the development and growth of my kinsmen and Yemetu-Oje as a whole through my foundation. We have also, through the foundation and by extension, supported Ibadan indigenes, widows and less privileged even outside Ibadan and in the diaspora.”

Arisekola, a highly resourceful personality, is a journalist, publisher and entrepreneur who has diversified into other fields of business that include real estate, transportation, gaming, and oil and gas.

The ever-smiling Arisekola, however, thanked the Olubadan and Olubadan-in-Council for the honour bestowed on him as the Mogaji Ajenigi-Eye of Yemetu-Oje, Ibadan with a promise to live up to expectation as his position requires of him.

Some of the dignitaries at the colourful ceremony include Hon. Sina Alabi; Alhaji Tunde Ologburo; the Commissioner of Youth and Sports in Oyo State, Seun Fakorede; Prince Eniola Oyeyode Oyesosin; Mogaji Adekunle Kare and others.