The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Riliwan Akiolu, on Friday, formally installed and capped six new Lagos White Cap Chiefs, reinforcing the rich traditions, cultural continuity and enduring heritage of Lagos.
The colourful ceremony, steeped in age-long customs, drew traditional rulers, chiefs, cultural custodians and residents who thronged the ancient quarters of Lagos Island to witness the sacred rites that mark the elevation of community leaders into the prestigious White Cap chieftaincy institution.
Those installed include Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki as Ogboni Iduntafa of Lagos (Onilegbele); Chief Ajibade Nosiru-Ayeni as Eletu Odibo of Lagos; Chief Adebola Olalekan Dosunmu as Olorogun Adodo of Lagos; Chief Yusuf Jinadu Bajulu as Bajulu of Lagos; Chief Razak Abolaji Onimole as Onimole of Lagos; and Chief Lookman Bolaji Oluwa as Onisemo of Lagos.
White dominated the atmosphere, symbolising purity, peace and spiritual authority. Women adorned in only wrappers with uncovered hair, alongside men in flowing white traditional attire, added solemnity and visual depth to the cultural spectacle. Various traditional and cultural displays accompanied the ceremonies, with chants, drumming and processions reflecting the spiritual weight of the occasion.
After the completion of traditional rites, members of the Ògbóni fraternity led a ceremonial procession through Isale Eko to the palace of the Oba of Lagos, accompanied by the newly installed White Cap Chiefs. At the palace, the chiefs paid homage to the monarch and received royal blessings.
Inside the palace, Oba Akiolu prayed for the new chiefs using sacred traditional items including water, kolanut and dry gin. The monarch invoked peace, wisdom, longevity and prosperity, charging the chiefs to uphold the customs of Lagos, serve with humility and protect the unity of the land.
Following the palace rites, the Ògbóni procession and other White Cap Chiefs, led by the High Chief Opeluwa Onido, escorted the newly installed chiefs to their respective palaces across Isale Eko.
At the Ogboni Iduntafa Palace, further traditional rites and prayers were conducted before Chief Gbolahan Owodunni Oki was formally ushered into the palace, marking the symbolic commencement of his reign. Elders offered prayers for guidance, stability and spiritual fortification as drums and chants filled the air.
Similar rites and prayers were also performed at the palaces of the other newly installed White Cap Chiefs, completing a day-long cycle of ceremonies that affirmed their new roles as custodians of tradition, community leaders and advisers within the Lagos chieftaincy structure.
The ceremony was attended by prominent Lagos Island indigenes and leaders, including the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, council chairmen from various local government areas, traditional title holders and other notable sons and daughters of Lagos Island.