Ogun State Deputy Governor, Segun Adesegun, on Thursday, urged politicians to always emulate their past leaders.
Past leaders, he said, led selfless and exemplary lives that should be emulated by the current political class.
The deputy governor stated this at a briefing in Abeokuta to mark the centenary celebration of the first monarch of Ago Iwoye and pioneer president of its Native Court, Adetola Adelagun.
The deputy governor; former Finance Minister, Jubril Martins-Kuye, as well as the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr. Demola Osinubi, and others are listed among the notable great-grandchildren of the late warrior.
Adesegun said, “For us as descendants of our late great-grandfather, we are proud of his achievements in life, particularly in Ago-Iwoye. Hence, we remember his achievements as well as his passage. I want to appeal to us all to always remember our heroes and heroines.”
Chairman of the centenary celebrations, Prof. Sola Adebajo, flanked by the deputy governor, Martins-Kuye, Mr. Ayodeji Adesegun, and other descendants of the late traditional ruler, said Adelagun, who died in 1912 was the architect of the modern town of Ago-Iwoye.
Adebajo said the late leader gave the town its fair share of visionary and quality leadership.
He further described the late monarch as an apostle of peace, saying, “Baale Mabinu Ori's accomplishments represented shining beacons of hope to his offspring and the future generations of the town.”
Adebajo added that Adelagun's achievements in the development of the town “still remained unassailable.''
He said, “His socio-political achievements in Ago-Iwoye are immeasurable. For one thing, his 10 years reign in Ago-Iwoye were full of hair-raising and eventful activities that endeared him to all the folks in Ago-Iwoye.''
He described Mabinu Ori as an implacable defender of his people whose action benefitted the town immensely.
Meanwhile, muslims in the town will on Friday attend a Jumat service to mark the centenary, while the grand finale of the event holds in the town on Saturday.
Also, a church service will hold on Sunday to round off the celebrations.
