The Arujale-Ojima of Okeluse Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II, has described combining royal duties with academic activities as a difficult task after successfully defending his final year project at Afe Babalola University.

The monarch disclosed this in a Facebook post on Tuesday while sharing photographs from the project defence held at the Department of Political Science, College of Social and Management Sciences of the institution.

Oba Akinghare said handling responsibilities attached to the throne alongside his studies demanded sacrifice, discipline and resilience, noting that the journey had not been easy for him.

He also appreciated his family, chiefs, friends and supporters for standing by him throughout the academic journey, expressing gratitude that the phase was gradually coming to an end.

He wrote, “Successfully concluded my final defense at the Department of Political Science, College of Social and Management Sciences, Afe Babalola University.

“Balancing the responsibilities of the throne with academics has not been an easy journey, but Eledumare has been faithful through it all. Ruling and schooling required sacrifice, discipline, and resilience, and I am grateful that this chapter is gradually coming to an end.

“My sincere appreciation to my family, chiefs, friends, and everyone who stood by me throughout this journey.”

The development comes about four months after the palace cautioned members of the public against addressing the 22-year-old monarch with informal terms such as “bro” or “blood.”

In a statement issued then by the Chief of Staff to the monarch, Prince Adefemi Olorunfemi, the palace insisted that the traditional ruler must be addressed strictly as “His Royal Majesty,” describing any contrary form of address as disrespectful to the throne.

The palace also accused some individuals of taking undue familiarity too far by addressing the monarch in ways considered inappropriate and demeaning. (TRIBUNE)