Abeokuta stands still as Alake confers title on Tinubu, wife

ABEOKUTA, the Ogun State capital, literarily stood still on Monday, as former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, were conferred with chieftaincy titles of Egbaland.
This was part of activities marking the seventh coronation anniversary of the Alake and the Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba (Dr) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, held at the Ake Palace Ground, on Monday.
Tinubu was conferred with the Aare Ago, while his wife was conferred with the Erelu Aare Ago of Egbaland.
The ceremony was attended by former millitary head of state and presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari; former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; former chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and former speaker, House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Bello Masari.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony were governors of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Lagos and Ekiti, the national leader of ACN, Chief Bisi Akande; former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; his wife, Abimbola; Senators George Akume, Adegbenga Kaka, Gbenga Obadara and Gbenga Asafa, alongside the national publicity secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Muhammed.
The traditional ruler, in his remarks, described Tinubu as courageous fighter for democratic values, adding that Tinubu fought irrepressibly for the protection of civil liberty in Nigeria.
The new traditional chief pledged his support towards all laudable projects of Oba Gbadebo in Egba nation.
Earlier, the Diocesan Bishop of Egba West (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Samuel Ogundeji, in his sermon during the thanksgiving service held at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, had admonished the traditional ruler and all political office holders in attendance to be attentive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people they governed