Oba Toriola Olubiyi, the 81-year-old father of Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, has been installed as the 20th Ogunsua of Modakeke land.
The octogenarian businessman was crowned as the newly-installed Ogunsua of Modakeke on Saturday in a ceremony at his sacred palace in Modakeke, Osun State.
The installation rites for Oba Toriola, which began in the early hours of Saturday, culminated with the adornment of the new monarch with the symbolic Akoko leaf.
Speaking with reporters at the Ogunsua market, Modakeke, where the last rites were performed on the new monarch, Oba Toriola, flanked by his wife, Comfort, said he had persevered in the line of ascension for 43 years before ultimately making it to the throne.
He, however, assured his reign would herald a new beginning of success buckled with an all-round development of the community.
He equally enjoined the mutual cooperation of all the great people of Modakeke towards achieving these developmental goals.
Asked how he felt, Oba Toriola said, “I feel elated. I have been in line for 43 years. I am happy. People should expect an all-round development. I will work with all stakeholders.”
Oba Moses Oyediran, who died in March of this year, was succeeded by the royal father.
During an interview, Fatai Kolawole, the Oluomo of Modakeke and a retired Permanent Secretary in the Osun State Civil Service, said Oba Toriola was well-traveled – with good connections – is capable of bringing good development to the community.
“We are happy with the installation of this monarch. He is the 20th Ogunsua. We know he is going to cooperate with the Ooni of Ife to ensure that peace reigns across Ifeland to bring about development,” Kolawole affirmed.