The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Aladesanmi 111 has appointed a new Eyegba , leader of the womenfolk in the ancient town.
The new appointee is Chief ( Mrs) Bolanle Elizabeth Aderoju, an educationist , businesswoman and oil and gas trader.
Mrs Aderoju’s appointment was announced yesterday following a very wide and intense consultation with the more than 150 chiefs of the town as well as several women groups and members of Ado Progressive Union both at home and in the diaspora.
Aderoju , who had some years ago been conferred with the title of Amurewolu of Ado Ekiti will on Wednesday be conferred with the title in an early morning ceremony as required by tradition.
The title according to the Oba is a very important one instituted from when the town was established as she has to see to the welfare of all the women in the town, protect and defend their interest and see to their advancement.
After the early morning ritual at the palace on Wednesday , a palace source said , she will be taken round the town and introduced to the stakeholders in the ancient quarters after which she will pick a date for the celebrations known as Iwuye.
Aderoju is succeeding late Mrs Sonaike, an accomplished chartered accountant who passed on two years ago. The new Eyegba parades degrees in education management and business administration.
She runs a nursery primary school as well as a reputable private secondary school in Ibadan where she is based.
She is also said to be a big player in the downstream sector of oil and gas with about 25 gas stations owned by her across South West and North Central states of Nigeria.
She is a mother of three children who are professionals and working with international organizations.
Talking to us shortly after the announcement of her appointment by the Ewi, Mrs Aderoju said she was excited by the new challenges.
“ I want to thank the Ewi, and his wife Eyesorun as well as all the Ado Ekiti chiefs for considering me worthy of this honor and I am assuring them I will live up to the duties and responsibilities required of me, ” she said.
She promised to be a good representative of the womenfolk while vowing to do everything possible within her means to give them a new lease of life.
In a message yesterday, her senior brother Hon Bayo Ariyo said the entire family is excited by the honor and are appreciative of the Ewi in Council for considering their daughter worthy.
“ We are going to give her maximum support from the family end to ensure she succeeded in this onerous task” , said Hon Ariyo.