Oba Adediran disclosed this in a statement personally signed by him and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
He expressed profound gratitude to God and appreciation to the government and people of Ogun State, royal fathers, community leaders, family members and other stakeholders for their support during his first year on the throne.
Reflecting on his journey to the throne, the monarch said, “It feels like just yesterday that I was in Ipebi for seclusion. It feels like just yesterday that I was presented with the Staff of Office to ascend the sacred throne of my forefathers as the 2nd Towulade of Owu-Akinale.”
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Ogun State Government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Executive Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government and other arms of government for their roles in making his emergence and first year on the throne successful.
The Monarch appreciated the Olu of Ilaro and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle; the Alake of Egbaland and Chairman of the Egba Traditional Council, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III and the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola, for their guidance and support.
He also expressed gratitude to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Balogun of Owu Kingdom, as well as former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for their fatherly guidance and support.
According to him, the first year of his reign has been “a remarkable statement of peace, unity, and reconciliation,” stressing that the unity of Owu-Akinale remains non-negotiable for the peaceful coexistence and development of the community.
Oba Adediran assured the people that his administration would remain committed to the development agenda of Owu-Akinale.
“We will work together, and work smarter, to deliver a clear development plan for Owu-Akinale.”
He added that the goal was to provide the basic amenities required for an industrial town and ensure that poverty becomes a thing of the past in the community.
The monarch also stated several development projects and partnerships undertaken to improve the community. He commended the Adebayo family, particularly Engr. Oluwole Babatunde Adebayo, the Akogun of Owu-Akinale, for the total rebuilding of the Baptist Church, Owu-Akinale, and the Pastorium for the benefit of the Christian community.
He also acknowledged Prince Babajide Adeoye Akinyemi, CEO of Mogbadewa Foundation, for remodeling and completely renovating the old Owu-Akinale Town Hall, whose foundation was laid on April 7, 1978, into a modern palace.
On healthcare, the Towulade disclosed that the Owu-Akinale Health Centre, whose foundation was laid by the Olowu of Owu Kingdom on the day of his coronation, had been adopted by Chief and Mrs. Yemi Odebiyi, the Asoludero of Owu-Akinale, in memory of their late parent. The facility, he said, would be renamed the Aduni Olufunmilayo Makinde Clinic, Owu-Akinale, and commissioned in December.
He further praised the management of Stellar Steel Company for partnering with the Towulade Educational Trust Fund to provide school bags for pupils of Baptist Primary School, Owu-Akinale.
He disclosed that the company had also taken over the construction of the community Police Station, which is currently 70 per cent completed.
As part of the anniversary activities, the monarch said a series of programmes had been scheduled from Wednesday, July 22, to Saturday, July 25, 2026.
The activities include inter-religious service, women’s programme and the kick-off of the annual Towulade Football Competition on Wednesday, medical outreach, special commissioning and chieftaincy installation on Thursday, traditional dance and installation ceremony on Friday, and a grand finale on Saturday.
The Monarch also used the occasion to honour his mentors, particularly the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, whom he described as a source of guidance and mentorship for almost three decades.
He called for collective support for efforts to combat drug abuse, describing the menace as a threat to national development.
As he begins his second year on the throne, Oba Adediran urged the people of Owu-Akinale to remain united and committed to the collective development of the community.
“As we begin year two, let us continue to build Owu-Akinale together — in peace, in unity, and in purpose,” the monarch said.
