A live lion which was brought to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was the centre of attraction to guests who thronged the palace to witness the conferment of chieftaincy titles on two young dignitaries from Oyo State and their wives.

The monarch conferred the chieftaincy title of Ayedero of Yorubaland on the lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representative, Shina  Peller, and also conferred Yeye Ayedero of Yorubaland on his wife, Ayobola.

 He also installed a successful businessman and subsea engineer, Dr Babajide Agunbiade, as the Atobaase of Yorubaland, even as the title of Yeye Atobaase of Yorubaland was also conferred on his wife, Funke.

Guests expressed surprise when they saw the lion which was put in a cage and placed at the entrance to the expansive venue of the installation.

The lion lay quietly in the cage and there was no moment of anxiety by the wild animal at the venue until our correspondent left the place.

The Alaafin in his speech said he was the only monarch who could award chieftaincy titles that would cover the entire Yorubaland.

He said he had found the two individuals worthy of the titles because of their contributions to the development of the land.

The monarch’s statement read, “From time immemorial, he is the king and Head of the Yoruba Nation. He is the only King in Yorubaland who can confer chieftaincy title on a worthy individual, man or woman, to cover the whole of Yorubaland.”

In his remarks, Peller said the Alaafin had given him a wider platform and a greater challenge to continue to promote the peace and prosperity of the Yorubaland with the title bestowed on him and his wife.

Also, Agunbiade, who said he was happy to be a chief in Oyo palace, said he would join the Alaafin in his vision for youth empowerment.