Nigerian-born mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya recently visited his hometown of Osun, where the UFC star is set to be honored by the community of Esa-Oke.
Chief Akin Onifade, the Sajuku of Esa-Oke, informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that Adesanya will receive an honor during the Esa-Oke Day celebration later this year.
NAN reports that Adesanya, a celebrated UFC middleweight fighter with Nigerian and New Zealand ties, arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, just days after losing the UFC 305 title to South African Dricus Du Plessis.
Adesanya gained widespread recognition after securing the interim middleweight title in April 2019 with a victory over Kelvin Gastelum and later unifying the championship by defeating Robert Whittaker in October of the same year.
Chief Onifade noted that Adesanya received a warm, carnival-like welcome at the palace of the Owa-Omiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Alayeluwa Adeyemi Adediran, on Thursday.
“The Esa-Oke-born UFC star was ushered into the palace by traditional drummers in company of an enthusiastic crowd of highly elated youths, family members, and other eminent Nigerians.
“The elated Owa-Omiran was full of praises to God for the feats achieved by the young artist and prayed extensively for his glory to continue to shine brighter and brighter to the glory of God.
“The revered Owa-Omiran announced that the Ananye ruling house, born Israel, will be honoured during the Esa-Oke Day celebration later this year,” he said.
According to him, Adesanya expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler and the entire community for the warm reception and the honour accorded him.
Adesanya, in his response, said he was delighted to be back to his roots and promised to always make Nigeria proud.
Present at the reception are: the Asalu of Esa-Oke, High Chief James Ajewole; Odogun of Esa-Oke, High Chief Olatunde Esan; Looyin of Esa-Oke, Chief Wale Aregbesola; and Sajuku of Esa-Oke, Chief Akinwumi Onifade.
“Others include the Obalogbo of Esa-Oke, Chief Olabode Ajayi; the Osolu of Esa-Oke, Chief Ajiboye; the Aro of Erinjinyan, Esa-Oke, Chief Akanni Omole; and the Loja of Kajola-Esa-Oke, Oba Akande Adebiyi.
