At a ceremony witnessed by tens of traditional rulers, community and business leaders from within and outside Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Ayandele Olaitan Oyebisi Ayanleke-Elegbede) was presented with the staff of office as the new Onibise on Friday, September 21, 2026.
Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde presented the staff of office to the new Onibise with a promise that his government would continue to strengthen the traditional institution by ensuring processes for selection and installation of monarchs are transparent.
Makinde was represented at the occasion by the Director, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kola Abiola.
After overseeing the coronation and presentation of the instrument of office the staff of office to Oba Ayanleke-Elegbede, the governor charged the new monarch to work towards the development of Komu and its neighboring communities.
Abiola, who also spoke on behalf of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Ojo Ademola, described the occasion as more than a celebration of the ascension of a new monarch, saying it is also a celebration of an enduring culture and tradition.
He said the traditional institution remains one of the strongest pillars of society, with traditional rulers serving as custodians of culture, customs and traditions.
“Therefore, the Governor Seyi Makinde administration remains committed to strengthening the traditional institution by ensuring that the processes for the selection and installation of traditional rulers are transparent, lawful and free from undue influence or interference.”
Oba Ayanleke-Elegbede, who is the national president of the Miners Association of Nigeria, thanked the state government and pledged to work towards improving the living standard of his people.
He also called on the people of Komu to partner with him in his new assignment of taking the town to new heights
In his speech, read on his behalf by Mr Abiola, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Ojo Ademola stated that traditional rulers remained important pillars of society, serving as custodians of customs, traditions and cultural identity.
He noted that the monarchs play significant roles in conflict resolution, promoting peaceful coexistence and facilitating the implementation of government policies at the grassroots.
He then called on the Onibise to regard his ascension to the throne as a call to service, advising him to be a father to all residents of Komu, irrespective of their political, religious or social affiliations.
Chairman of Itesiwaju LG, Mr Ojo Monsuru Olayemi, commended Makinde for his developmental initiatives across Oke-Ogun and the state. Olayemi specifically praised the governor for the ongoing rehabilitation of the Okaka-Otu-Igbojaye-Komu-Babaode road.
He congratulated the Onibise on his Coronation and promised to work with him for the development of the community.
Some of the traditional rulers present, including the Sabigana of Iganna land, Oba Soliu Azeez Oyemonla Agunloye; the Oniro of Komu, Oba Jonah Awujoola Olagboyega Kolade II; and the Onigbope of Igbope, Oba Moses Olawale Oyetola, called on the new monarch to see his emergence as a responsibility to serve the people and called on residents to cooperate with him in advancing the development of the ancient town.
The traditional rulers also charged the Onibise to work for the unity, love and peaceful coexistence among the people of Komu.
The Sabigana also appealed to Makinde to facilitate the elevation of other traditional rulers in the state awaiting the review of their status.
Other dignitaries at the event include a ormer Chairman of Itesiwaju LGA, Adisa Olarinre; Mr Dasola Adefabi Fadiran; Ajayi Taiwo; Barrister Leke Oladeji; and a friend and associate of the new Onibise, Engineer Adeniran Ajibade, who is also president of the Gemstones Miners and Marketers Association of Nigeria.
Both Olarinre and Fadiran called on the people of the community to work together to harness the mineral and natural resources in the area for the overall growth and development of the local government area.
Engr Ajibade, who noted Ayanleke’s contributions to the mining sector and his national recognition, described the emergence of the new monarch as a blessing to Komu.
Another longtime associate of the new monarch, the Chairman of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Niger State chapter and Waziri of Wawa Kingdom, Alhaji Muhammad Abdulrazak Abu Musa Yusuf, described the Onibise as a thorough professional and man of impeccable character.
Saying his emergence is a good thing for the community, Yusuf urged the people of Komu to work with the monarch so that he could deploy his experience and connections to accelerate development in the community.
Profile of the new monarch
Oba Ayanleke- Elegbede was born in March 1961 to the late Mogaji Tijani Ayanleke Elegbede of the Baale Onibise Folarin Ruling House, Ibise, Komu, and Madam Aishat Oyenihun Ayinbo Ayanleke, née Olaogun, of Alaago Compound, Ilesan, Komu.
He had his elementary and secondary education in Komu before obtaining a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Ilorin.
With over two decades of experience in mining administration and operations
Ayanleke, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers, served as Assistant Secretary of the Oyo State chapter of the Miners Association of Nigeria in 2005 and became the association’s National Secretary in 2014 before emerging as its National President in August 2023. He is also the Director of Mining Operations for Topmost Minerals and Allied Resources Ltd.
