Kunle Adelabu
The new Eweye of Isiwu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olukayode David Raji Balogun, Olugbade 1, has revealed that he spent 14 years preparing for his ascension to the much coveted position.
Oba Balogun was presented with the Staff of Office and Certificate of Recognition by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed, on behalf of the Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, August 24, 2020.
The new Oba was also crowned with the traditional beaded crown by the Isiwu traditional institution on the same day.
At a grand ceremony in Isiwu after his visit to His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, at his palace, the new monarch assured the people of Isiwu of peace, development and prosperity.
He also assured them that he will hold no grudge against anybody and that his door will always be open to everybody to contribute to the development of the town.
“I am going to be 59 years old by August 30 and it is remarkable that I am being crowned in the same month of my birth. I am going to spend another 59 years on the throne”, Oba Balogun said.
He said that the ancient town which, according to him, was established by royal families, was prevented from having an Oba due to internal feud while explaining further that the process that eventually culminated into his emergence took a rather long time.
“Isiwu is a royal town but was prevented from its crown and development for several years by internal feud. The process to Obaship took us a very long and tortuous journey”, the monarch said.
“I spent 14 years preparing for today but I thank God for everything”, he stated while recalling his tortuous journey to the stool”.
Oba Balogun further assured residents of Isiwu and all the royal representatives that graced the occasion that he is ready to accommodate everybody and allow them to contribute to the development of the town irrespective of where they stand during the feud.
“I will practice an open – door policy. I take nobody as an enemy despite all that happened. I am open to everybody and will accommodate everybody.
“The process that led to my emergence started when Hon. Banjo was the Executive Secretary of Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area. He was the one that took my letter (as Oba elect) to Alausa and today that I am being crowned as an Oba, Banjo is also the one that brought my letter to me as a government recognized Oba, but now as the Chairman of the same council.
“My reign will be accommodating and peaceful. I have good upbringing from my parents. I was thought to be forgiven and not be vindictive. I will welcome any idea from any quarter that is about the development of the town”.
He thanked those that supported his emergence as a monarch, especially the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Ikorodu Division.
“I thank all the royal fathers and others that supported my emergence and also those that accompanied me to Alausa and Isiwu today.
“My tenure will bring development and prosperity to Isiwu”, he said.
The Chairman of the Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, Hon. Adeola Banjo, in his address at the grand reception, also recalled that he was the one that prepared and took the letter seeking the approval of the new royal father as Oba-elect to the State Government during his administration as the Executive Secretary of Ikorodu North LCDA, while adding that the completion of the process and emergence of the monarch is also happening during his tenure as Chairman of the same Council.
“I was the one that truly wrote Kabiyesi’s letter when I was the Executive Secretary of this Council and again, as an elected Chairman of the same council, I am also the one that brought his letter of installation as the new Oba”, he recalled.
“I thank God that I have been able to complete what I started.
“My administration has been able to record many firsts and great achievements in the annals of the Council’s history. The installation of a new King, rehabilitation of Ikorodu – Shagamu road which passes through our council and many others are being achieved during our administration.
“This is our King and the government has approved the person that we all wanted and supported to be our King. We pray for his reign to bring peace, development and prosperity”, Hon. Banjo prayed.
