Encomiums poured in for veteran sports administrator and former Deputy Director at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) Lagos, Dr. Akinremi Francis Akinsode, as he was installed as the new Oniperegun of Peregun Kingdom in Ifetedo, Osun State.
His Royal Highness, the Oluoje 1, was crowned by the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusin, at the Oonirisa Palace in Ile-Ife on Monday, December 30, 2024.
Dignitaries at the event included Oba Adediwura Idowu Olaniyi, Obalufe of Ife, Owa Adimula; Yemi Oriowo, Sarun Oodua; HRH Arasanmi, Aguro of Ife; HRM Muritala Adedoyin, Akogun Ile Ife; Arole Oranmiyan; and HRH Elijah Adebayo, Olu of Ologiri Ife. Also present were the Secretary to the Ife Traditional Council, Laadin of Ife, and other members of the Ife Traditional Council.
Other notable attendees included the Obaship Screening Committee headed by High Chief Adetoye Olatunde Odewole, the Isoro of Ife, the Iyalodes, and other distinguished members of the Oonirisa cabinet.
Dr. Akinremi retired as Deputy Director of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) Lagos, under the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, after many years of meritorious service. During his tenure at NIS, he was a chief lecturer, served as Head of the Sports Management Department, and was a hockey coach.
He holds a PhD in Sports Administration and Management from Lagos State University, a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, a B.Ed in Physical & Health Education from the University of Ilorin, and an NCE in Physical & Health Education from Adeyemi College of Education, now University of Ife.
Dr. Akinremi is also the National President of the Association of Proprietors of Football Academies of Nigeria (APFAN).
Meanwhile, encomiums have been pouring in from NIS, APFAN, well-wishers, and associates of the new Oba. Oniperegun Town, located next to Ifetedo, the headquarters of Ife South Local Government of Osun State, shares a boundary with Omilunlade, where the Osun State University Law School is situated.
The ancient town of Oniperegun was founded by the Akinjole family, who hailed from Okeagbe Okeigbo in Ondo State and settled in Ifetedo in 1931 under the jurisdiction of Ile Ife. Notable villages under Oniperegun include Fagbade, Rabiu, Akeju, Bada, Olorunsogo, Ologbenla, Riraloya, Ominla, Olokemeji, Abojupupa, Eleesan, Abapaanu, Tade, and Aroke.