A United States-based Professor of African history, Toyin Falola, and his wife, Dr Bisi Falola, were on Monday installed as high-ranking chiefs by the Osemawe and paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo Jilo III.
The installations were part of activities marking the 70th birthday and 17th coronation celebrations of the Monarch.
While Professor Falola was installed as the Bobapitan (royal historian) of Ondo Kingdom, his wife was made the Yeye Bobapitan of Ondo Kingdom.
High-ranking traditional chiefs who graced the event were led by the Provost of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (now known as Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo), Dr Akintunde Samuel, and friends, families, and associates of Professor Falola.
The event was held at Osemawe’s Palace Town Hall in Ondo.
Oba Kiladejo, who described Falola as a man of honour, affirmed that his contributions to the development of the community cannot be overemphasised, after which he prayed for his longevity.
The Monarch praised the dedication and commitment of Professor Falola and his wife in the development of Ondo, saying this has remained a critical part of the reason for the honour done by the duo.
While describing the new chief, the former Director of the A.G. Leventis Museum of Natural History, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Professor Adisa Ogunfolakan, the Gbobaniyi of Ondo Kingdom, and the former Vice Chancellor of Akungba Akoko University, Professor Femi Mimiko, said he is a fantastic person who is valued by those he mentors.
Dr Samuel further explained that Ondo Kingdom has been Professor Falola’s concern, especially the accreditation of Adeyemi College of Education to Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo.
Responding, the new chief, Professor Falola, stated that Ondo Kingdom has been blessed with a lot of people, and just as he thanked Oba Kiladejo for honouring him, he pledged his continued support for the kingdom.
Falola is a Nigerian historian and professor of African Studies, a fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria and of the Nigerian Academy of Letters.
He has served as the President of the African Studies Association, and currently, he is the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin.
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