The people of lkare Akoko area of Ondo state have witnessed the passing into glory of the 85-year-old Owa-Ale of lkare, Oba Samuel Kolapo Adegbite-Adedoyin who was the 17th Owa - Ale of lkare and reigned for 48 years.

It was learned that the principal monarch gave up the ghost early Tuesday at his palace located at Okorun area of the ancient town where the traditional ruler died after a brief illness.

Oba Adedoyin before his demise was the President of a group of Ondo state traditional rulers under 130 Krown Obas and a member of the State Council of Obas.

The people of the ancient town mournfully gathered in groups to discuss the demise of the traditional ruler.

The Olona of Ikare, High Chief Rafiu Okunade told newsmen that the palace would make an official announcement after all necessary traditional rites had been carried out in line with the community’s standard.

The late chief was born in 1935, two years after the death of Saint Moses Orimolade the founder of Cherubim and Seraphim Church who was also from the Okorun area of Ikare. He was the only child of his late mother, Mama Janet Omotola Adedoyin. He at various times attended Ebenezer A/C school, Ikare; Victory College, Ikare where he was a classmate of famous Nigerians like the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi; Afenifere Secretary, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, and a host of others.

The monarch was a former lay President of the African Church worldwide, and he studied law in the United Kingdom before he returned home to ascend the throne of his forefathers in 1972.

A leader of the town said that the reign of Oba Adegbite-Adedoyin would not be forgotten as he used his connection as a famous legal practitioner and first educated Owa-Ale to facilitate the establishment of more than eight secondary schools between 1978 and 1982.