03/01/2026
2026 New Year Address from the Throne of His Royal Majesty, Oba Akintoye Adeoye, Aare Kugbaigbe IV, The Oluoke and Paramount Ruler of Okeigbo Kingdom.
Protocols:
Hon Festus Adefiranye MHR
The Chairman of Ileoluji/Okeigbo Local Government, Honourable Adejare Adeboye;
Lord Spirituals,
My High Chiefs:
High Chief Ebenezer Farotade,
High Chief Deji Akintokunbo,
High Chief Oladoyin Olatunji,
High Chief Dele Oduwale,
High Chief Professor Emeritus Ojo Olatunji,
High Chief Moshood Ogunlowo, FCA,
Chief Mrs. Funmi Ademoyegun;
All Our Royal Highnesses, Baales, Senior Chiefs, and Chiefs;
Our Dedicated Palace Secretary;
Beloved Sons and Daughters of Okeigbo and their Spouses;
Our Valued Residents;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
I. Acknowledgment and Gratitude
All glory and praise be to Almighty God, the Giver of life and the Sovereign over times and seasons, for His grace in preserving us to witness the dawn of this New Year. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all for your unwavering support, steadfast prayers, and profound love for our kingdom.
II. The Sacred Mandate
From the moment I was entrusted with the Staff of Office and the Letter of Instrument of Appointment on the 4th of November, 2025, I have borne this sacred trust with deep humility and a profound sense of duty. Day and night, my devotion has been to the service of our people. My reign is firmly anchored on the pillars of unity, peace, and purposeful development, guided by our cherished traditions and an upright conscience.
III. Milestones of Our Early Journey
Within this short but significant period, we have taken deliberate strides to set a new tone for our community. We have strengthened fraternal bonds with our neighbours and consciously building Okeigbo as a kingdom built on compassion, dignity, and shared responsibility.
Specifically, in these past 56 days, we have, by God’s grace, achieved the following:
· The filling of key vacancies within the Oluoke-in-Council.
· Royal attendance at Ifetedo Day, Ile-Oluji Day, and Ekimogun Day, fostering unity at the invitation of my brother monarchs.
· Attendance of the monthly Oluoke-in-Council meeting, held on the first Saturday of each month.
· Historic participation in the Ondo State Council of Obas meeting, marking the first time an Okeigbo monarch attends as a Grade A Oba.
· Attendance at the inaugural Ondo State Government Obas’ Banquet with His Excellency, the Governor.
· Representation at the installation of the President of Ghana as Aare Atayese, at the invitation of the Ooni of Ife among other invitations from Ooni within the period.
· The successful organization of the maiden Okeigbo Unity Walk (5.7km) on December 24th, which included:
· Breakfast for 2,000 participants.
· A medical outreach for 1,000 people.
· Distribution of reading glasses to 100 beneficiaries.
· Provision of 10kg food packs (rice, beans, garri) and ₦5,000 to 1,000 individuals.
· Assessment of the Palace building project, with completion work scheduled to commence in January 2026.
· Prompt funding for the repair of vandalized electrical infrastructure at Gberinlegi, resulting in the full restoration of electricity across the kingdom.
· Visits and inspection tours of the Technical College and the School for Handicapped Children.
· Provision of refreshments by the Palace during Oluoke-in-Council meetings. (Previously members in turns provide refreshments at their own cost at community meetings)
· Intentional collaboration with security and paramilitary agencies to protect lives and property, with a committed focus on their morale and welfare.
· Payment of rent for the Amotekun Corps.
· Approval of a monthly financial stipend for the Hunters Guild, effective January.
Our community is now present and accounted for at every table of importance. We are visible and working hard to receive attention from the laudable developmental programs at the Local, State and Federal levels.
IV. Tributes and Appreciation
I seize this moment to remember and commend all my predecessors for their labour and sacrifice for this kingdom. May God continue to grant their souls perfect rest. In due course, I shall recognize and bestow the honour and dignity due to all our six modern-era monarchs from Oba Sijuade Farotade.
My appreciation also goes out to everyone who has taken the time to visit me in Okeigbo or reach out by phone. Your solidarity has been a cornerstone of my motivation.
V. A Call to Unity and Collective Action
As we step into this New Year, I call upon every indigene and stakeholder to embrace peace, respect our traditions, uphold our communal values, and work collectively for the progress of our homeland. Remember, a kingdom stands strong not by the crown alone, but by the unity, commitment, discipline, and compassion of its people.
To our successful sons and daughters, both at home and abroad, and their spouses: you are enjoined to remember the kingdom. We need you to create the difference we seek. I recognize your memories—pleasant and otherwise—and I ask for your forgiveness where it is due. We need everyone. I personally need you to join me in the development of our beloved Jerusalem.
VI. Prayer
May this New Year bring greater harmony, renewed hope, and abundant blessings to every household. Together, by the grace of God, we shall build a community that posterity will remember with pride.
I wish you all a peaceful, prosperous, and fulfilling New Year.
God bless Okeigbo Kingdom. God bless our people.
Happy new year.
His Royal Majesty,
Oba Akintoye Adeoye, LL.B, BL, LL.M, B.Th.
(Aare Kugbaigbe IV)
The Oluoke and Paramount Ruler of Okeigbo Kingdom.
