The contribution of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, has been acknowledged during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.
A news presenter at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recalls that Aderemi led Nigerian delegation to the coronation.
Aderemi was made Knight of the Order of St. George in 1956. Sir Aderemi became the Governor of Western Region in 1960.
According to the newscaster “This is one from the family of Adesoji Aderemi who was Knighted by the Queen in 1956. He led the Nigerian delegation to the coronation when Wilson Churchill was prime minister.”
The presentation contains pictures of the Ife monarch with Queen Elizabeth and the British royal family at different times in London.
As Governor of the Western Region, Sir Adesoji Aderemi oversaw the establishment of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and a host of landmark institutions.
Aderemi is noted for his peace building efforts which made Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of the Western Region describe him as an ecumenical personality at his passage in 1980.
