Birthday: Ijebuland Communities Celebrate Prince Abimbola Onabanjo, Offer Prayers Over Philanthropic Gestures
ABEOKUTA – Eulogies and prayers have continued to trail the birthday celebration of Prince Omooba Abimbola John Onabanjo, popularly known as OAO, as beneficiaries of his philanthropic interventions across Ijebuland celebrate his contributions to community development.
Residents of Idegun-Ogbogbo community, particularly women and traders, gathered around a transformer donated by the prince to mark his birthday, expressing appreciation for the intervention and offering prayers for his continued good health, happiness and prosperity.
The residents described the donation as a major relief to the community, which had endured prolonged electricity challenges, while acknowledging the support of the prince and his wife, Olori.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the women prayed that the happiness Onabanjo had brought to their homes through his interventions would be reciprocated in his family and business engagements.
“As you have made us happy here through the provision of transformers, may you not know sorrow. Your children, wife and businesses will continue to be sources of happiness to you.
“We appreciate you and thank you immensely, Omooba Onabanjo and your Olori. On behalf of everybody in Idegun-Ogbogbo, we say your light will never dim,” they said.
Similarly, women in another community where Onabanjo facilitated the provision of a borehole gathered to celebrate him, offering prayers and expressing gratitude for his contribution to improving access to water.
They prayed for more years of good health, prosperity and fulfilment for the prince, expressing optimism that his humanitarian interventions would continue.
“This will not be the last. Happy birthday,” they prayed.
Onabanjo is among the 95 princes and one princess reportedly in contention for the revered Awujale stool of Ijebuland. His royal ancestry and growing record of philanthropic interventions have continued to feature prominently in conversations surrounding the succession to the traditional institution.
His community development initiatives across Ijebuland include the provision of 56 boreholes in various communities, the donation of 10 new transformers to restore electricity supply in communities that had experienced prolonged darkness, empowerment programmes for artisans and beauty professionals, as well as educational support and other humanitarian interventions.
Beyond his philanthropic activities, Onabanjo’s royal ancestry remains a significant aspect of his identity and connection to the Awujale institution.
He has also combined his traditional heritage with contemporary skills, international exposure and entrepreneurial experience, seeking to bridge Ijebuland’s rich cultural heritage with innovation, enterprise and modern development.
As he celebrates another year, family members, friends, associates and admirers have joined in wishing him good health, wisdom, longevity and greater accomplishments.
For the beneficiary communities, however, the birthday celebration has offered another opportunity to publicly acknowledge his contributions, recount the impact of his interventions and pray for continued blessings upon him and his family.
