Kunle Adelabu
-Recall TOS, Ogunsanya, others developmental efforts.
Traditional rulers and council chairmen in Ikorodu Division on Saturday, March 20, 2021, made historic and special appearances on the new IKD 106.1FM.
The eminent personalities, during their appearances on the radio station, relived the efforts of leaders that contributed immensely to the development of the division and set it on the path of greatness.
Otunba Ayodele Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom and former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, also appeared on the radio station on the same day.
The General Manager of the new radio station and a seasoned broadcaster, Mr Adeniyi Taiwo Kunnu, alongside other on air personalities working in the station – Ibukun Sunlola (Adunni), Taiwo Kamoru (Mr Bigs) and Victor Archibong (Victorde Power), had great session engaging the royal fathers and political leaders.
The August guests commended the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson, for continuing the developmental efforts of the past leaders in lkorodu division like Otunba Theophilus Shobowale Benson, Chief S.O Gbadamosi, Otunba Adeniran Ogunsanya and Alhaji Allison among others.
His Royal Majesty Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, who appeared on air alongside His Royal Majesties, Oba Semiudeen Kasali and Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, said that many had been in position of authority but were unable to contribute meaningfully to the development of Ikorodu.
He said that Hon. Benson has taken Ikorodu’s development which, according to him, started during the times of Otunba TOS Benson and others, to a greater height.
“We have seen many that were there before him but failed to make any impact. Hon Benson started making impact three months to his election.
“We used to watch TOS Benson riding horses and throwing money at us when we were young. We were looking at him because he attained that status through education and that was what he and others tried to impact on Ikorodu when they established Oriwu College”, Oba Ogunsanya recalled.
“Before the time of people like TOS Benson, Ikorodu was not on the map. We used to be called lkeja North then. But what Jimi is doing now is further putting lkorodu on the world map.
“He has built a Primary Health Centre for us in Ibeshe and is also constructing a town hall.
“We thank God for JB for establishing this radio station. There are many people who are wealthy but never thought about this initiative”, the royal father stated while commending Hon. Benson.
While also commending the two – term lawmaker, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of lgbogbo, charged political leaders in Ikorodu to emulate the likes of TOS Benson, Ogunsanya, Gbadamosi and others in enhancing the development of lkorodu division.
“I am the most blessed here today because the radio station is in my domain.
“Hon. Babajimi is a good representative. He facilitated the reconstruction of Igbe road and also facilitated the construction of a – block of 8 classrooms at the Methodist Primary School, Igbogbo”.
Oba Ajibade Agoro, the Ranodu of lmota, said that the lawmaker is displaying lessons that he learnt from home, adding that the radio station will further greatly assist the development of the division.
“He is displaying lessons that he has learnt from home. He has helped to establish and facilitate many projects and he is doing all these to write his own name in history”, Ranodu said.
“The station will greatly help Ikorodu to further develop.
“We have sent him a message with our mandate and he has delivered. He has done many things in Imota and other parts of the division”.
Another session of the special radio programme, which included His Royal Majesties, Oba Bashir Shotonwa, the Sekumade of lpakodoOba David Raji Balogun, the Eweye of Isiwu and High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of Ikorodu, equally witnessed another round of commendation for Benson for the establishment of the radio station.
Oba Shotonwa, speaking, said that he was happy that the station has been established to assist in developing Ikorodu.
“We are happy with the establishment of this radio station because it will help in further propagating Ikorodu. I am particularly happy because I think that the station is situated in Ipakodo, my domain”, Sekumade said with a smile.
“I remember that TOS Benson, Ogunsanya, Gbadamosi and Alison among others placed Ikorodu on the path of greatness which Hon. Benson and others are emulating today.
“I am happy for today because this is a landmark achievement.
“He cannot stop at the House of Representatives. Such a person with huge potential should be allowed to progress”, Oba Shotonwa said.
Like others, Oba Raji was full of commendations for Hon. Benson prayed for the sustenance of the station.
“Hon. Benson inherited information/communication management and community development from TOS Benson who brought Voice of Nigeria to Ikorodu”, he said.
The Chairman of the Multichoice and Odofin of Ikorodu, High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, said that the young lawmaker still has so much to achieve.
“Hon. Benson is an exemplary gentleman who is taking after his family’s good deeds.
“This is just the beginning for him because there are still many more things for him to accomplish”.
The legal luminary and business man stated that he has come back home to Ikorodu to contribute his own quota to the development of the town while also calling for more commitments and dedication from residents to further make the town great.
Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, who was on air alongside Hon. Babajimi Benson, described the lawmaker as a wonderful son of the soil.
While stating that Ikorodu is blessed with many great sons and daughters, also stated that he is celebrating the radio station and its owner.
“Babajimi Benson is a wonderful son of Ikorodu and we are blessed with many of them.
“I appreciate the radio station for inviting all the royal fathers in the division for this special appearance today. I am celebrating Benson and IKD 106.1FM”.
Oba Shotobi, who traced the opening up of Ikorodu for development to the construction of the Ikorodu – Lagos road, a project initiated by eminent people in Ikorodu and later supported by others in Ijebu as well as Alhaji Tafawa Balewa who was then a Federal Minister, added that the division has benefitted from political patronage.
The royal father, who was also engaged in pidgin English by Victor Archibong (Victorde Power), said that Ikorodu always welcome people from other tribes and added that no community develops without contributions from people outside it.
The initiator of IKD 106.1FM, Rep Babajimi Benson, thanked the entire traditional rulers in the division for their support and for gracing the special pre – commissioning traditional prayer and appearance.
Some of the Council Chairmen that also made special appearances on the station at the weekend, also spoke with THE IMPACT.
Builder Daini Olusesan Mayokun, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Development Area, said that he was happy with the station because it is located in his council and would help in proper dissemination of information about Ikorodu Division.
“I am very happy because this is a new development. I am actually happy for two things, one, having a radio station within Ikorodu that is indigeneous and community based. Secondly , it is in my council which is a thing of joy for me”, Daini said.
“Its importance is to pass messages to the grassroots and make sure that information is properly disseminated among different tribes and languages and ages”, he added.
“I am happy and thankful to those that brought the idea up”.
Hon. Adeola Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, said that he is proud of the lawmaker for the milestone achievement.
“This is a very great initiative and I am very proud of it. I am proud that our poster boy in Ikorodu, Babajimi Benson, is doing wonders. He’s making sons and daughters of Ikorodu, both home and abroad, proud because he is representing us well.
“This is another milestone for Ikorodu and we really appreciate him”.
Also speaking with THE IMPACT, Ameen Olawale Apanisile, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, commended the lawmaker for the initiative.
“We just have to appreciate Hon. Babajimi Benson, our own representative, for bringing our own IKD 106.1FM. to Ikorodu . It’s going to assist us in making people to know more about Ikorodu”.
Hon. (Mrs) Monsurat Gbadebo – Alogba, Vice Chairman, Ijede LCDA, also described the establishment of the radio station as a good development.
“It’s a good development for Ikorodu and thanks to Hon. Babajimi Benson. It will serve as a source of employment for our people and as you have known that JB’s representation has been benefitting our people, this station will also benefit us immensely. It’s a very good step towards development in Ikorodu”.
Mr Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan, Director – General, Lagos State Sports Commission, in his own remarks, said that he is not surprised that the radio station was established by Hon. Benson.
“I am not surprised that Jimi Benson has done it again. It’s a plus for us in lkorodu and we are still expecting more. It’s a good thing because this is what most of us are yearning for and we are happy to have a traditional radio station for Ikorodu.
“We are proud of it”, she said.
