Kunle Adelabu
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi has charged residents of Ikorodu to fully obey the government order asking them to stay at home in order to effectively contain the Coronavirus.
The monarch, who is the first Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, stated that the lockdown is temporary and that adherence would help in containment of the deadly Coronavirus as soon as possible.
Oba Shotobi made this statement while addressing selected pressmen at his palace on Tuesday, April 8, 2020.
“My appeal and advice for the people is that they should stay indoor and observe government directive. Things (relief packages) meant for them would be taken to their homes. God will not let them die of hunger and He would completely erase the virus”, the royal father appealed.
“They should accept the situation as it is. It is a temporary measure and not permanent. Very soon, it is going to be over”.
The royal father stated that the relief packages would not be distributed to the residents who besieged his palace in the early hours of the day but rather would be taken to the door steps of the identified vulnerable people as way of enforcing government directive regarding public gatherings and social distancing.
He assured residents that food aid will get to their various houses if they stay indoor and not breach the directive made in the interest of the public.
“Because of the directive of the government, we are not going to distribute the food packages at the palace entrance. Those that are there ought to be at their homes”, the royal father stated.
“If you have been following happenings around the world, you will know what has been happening. We don’t pray for the virus to cause more death like in the United States and other places ravaged by the virus. The best way to prevent that is for people to stay indoor”.
He commended the Lagos State Government for doing the needful in containing the spread of the virus and also for providing food aid for the people during the lockdown.
“The fact is that government is holding the bull by the horns in dealing with the spread of Coronavirus. The way they have handled the issue so far is commendable.
“It is also commendable of the government for going all out to take care of those that are vulnerable and protecting our people from contacting the virus.
“Some of the measures that the government have asked our people to observe are social distancing, use of face mask and washing of hands regularly among others. The stay at home order by the Federal Government is aimed at containing the further spread of the virus”, Oba Shotobi stated.
“I really appreciate the efforts of the government for not only keeping people indoor but also providing food for those that are vulnerable. The food cannot go round everybody but they have been reaching out to those that are in need”.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu also commended well-meaning individuals from Ikorodu who have contributed to the fight against COVID – 19 at the federal, state and local council levels by providing funds and food items.
“Along the line, some individuals deemed it fit to support the government and they donated money and food items to the people”, the royal father said.
“One of our sons who owns the DSTV (Otunba Adewunmi Ogunsanya) donated huge sum of money to the government towards the eradication of COVID – 19 pandemic.
“You can see what the likes of Tokunbo Abiru have been distributing. He dished out close to 5000 food packages to the people. The packages were distributed round the whole of the division.
“Likewise, Otunba Steve Anifowshe, the Otunba Adegorushe of Ikorodu, donated these packages (pointing to food bags) which we are going to distribute to the people in the community. Also, one of our children, Prince Adebowale Eniayewun Esumade, also donated food packages which we are also going to distribute.
“We thank them for what they have done in supporting the government and also thank the government for providing for the people.
While imploring residents to stay at home, Oba Shotobi reassured that the food packages would be given to those in need.
“It is now left for us to listen to the government by staying at home. Prevention is better than cure and part of the prevention is for people to sit at home. We don’t need people to converge for distribution. We know where to send the food items to.
“Our targets are the vulnerable residents and we are going to get the food items to them.
“It is a good gesture on the part of the donors and I want to encourage others to emulate people that are assisting the government in ensuring that our people at home are given something to eat”.
The traditional ruler also stated that he had to cancel the annual ‘Odun Osu’, the first traditional festival to be held in Ikorodu kingdom every, due to the emergence of the Coronavirus and added that the traditional institution has done necessary rites to appease the gods of the land to ward off the disease.
“We actually planned to have our first annual traditional festival but when I returned to the country, I realised that certain proactive measures have been put in place by the Governor of Lagos State to safeguard the people against Coronavirus and as a traditional ruler, I have to comply so as to assist the government in ttackling the pandemic.
“As a result of that, I immediately wrote a letter out to all channels cancelling every activity associated with Odun Osu. This is a very difficult decision because we don’t play with tradition in Ikorodu.
“Since then, the Olombas (those in charge of traditional practice) have also taken the matter of COVID -19 pandemic as a serious concern and they have done the needful by carrying out necessary traditional rites .
“They have been appeasing the gods to ward off the deadly virus. We call it ‘Ero’ in local parlance. We have done everything that is necessary traditionally to appease the gods by going round the town to offer rites.
“We gathered the Obaluwayes, Olombas, Igunnukos and many other traditional sects to appease the gods of our land.
“Epidemic like this is not new. It’s one of those that had happened in our county before like Go-Slow, Apollo; Cholera and measles among others. We have our native way of curing such diseases. We have done what our forefathers used to do by appeasing gods”.
