Kunle Adelabu
-Erogbogbo steps in as 10th IKODASS Chairman.
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, has charged the new Chairman of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, on performance and continuity in development of Ikorodu started by his predecessors.
The royal father, who said that IKODASS is the creation of the Ayangbure for developmental purposes, assured the new IKODASS Chairman that he would not interfere in the running of the body’s activities.
Oba Shotobi gave the charge and assurance while the new Chairman and his executive members were being presented to him for royal blessings after their election and swearing – in which took place at the Oteju hall of the Ikorodu Town hall on Saturday, May 16, 2020.
Representatives of clubs, societies and associations that are members of IKODASS, elected the new members of the executive body of the association in an election organized by an electoral committee led by Prince Omotayo Benson.
The new executive members were presented by the immediate past Chairman, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, and former IKODASS Chairman, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, at the Ayangbure palace.
While praising Abiru for his achievements in the last four years, Oba Shotobi charged Erogbogbo to continue the developmental process started by Chief Babatunde Benson, SAN, and taken to a greater height by the immediate past chairman.
“There has been tremendous progress since the time of Baba Benson as the Chairman of IKODASS to Abiru’s time”, Oba Shotobi said.
“I am particularly proud of your achievements (Abiru). He carried me along in all his activities and programmes.
“I refused to let him go after he completed his first tenure of two years as IKODASS Chairman and he came back for the second term to perform very well again.
“When the idea of Erogbogbo was muted to me, I immediately accepted it and gave my approval and I thank the other person for obeying my directive.
“There after, there were some challenges and I told the other party about him (Erogbogbo) , who was accepted as a credible candidate.
While assuring the new executives that he would not interfere in the activities of IKODASS, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu charged them to initiate new ideas and ways of running the organization and also showcase Ikorodu’s glory to the outside world.
“There has been a series of events and activities that made Ikorodu what it is today and part of it was the establishment of IKODASS which is a baby of Ayangbure.
“I will not interfere in your activities but I will be concerned about your performance.
“I have no doubt that you and your team will render great service to the Ikorodu community and showcase Ikorodu Oga to the global village.
“I will continue to play my advisory roles.You must also listen to elders for advice, for you to walk on the right path.
“It is not a must that you must follow what is on ground dogmatically. There is a need for new ideas and digital approaches to issues. There is a need for innovations and ideas.
“I thank God that the practices laid by the founders have not been eroded”, Oba Shotobi said.
Kabiyesi also charged the new executive members to give necessary support to their chairman and not indulge in forming caucus to make his reign difficult.
Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, while formally presenting the new team to the monarch, said that it is necessary to pay homage and seek royal blessings before they commence activities.
“We are here to pay homage and seek the royal blessing for the new IKODASS executives before they commence their community activities”, he said.
“We want you to bless the new Chairman and his team the same way that you blessed me which worked.
“We have confidence in them that they will start from where we stopped and even perform better”, he assured the royal father.
Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom and former IKODASS Chairman, in his own remarks, commended Oba Shotobi for his intervention in settling electoral challenges that confronted the cultural and developmental organization.
“We are here to pay homage and appreciate you for your intervention in resolving issues that confronted IKODASS.
“We thank you for your fatherly intervention in resolving the matter. We have resolved the matter, held an election and that is why we are here to pay homage”.
The new IKODASS Chairman, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, in his response, assured Oba Shotobi that his team has agreed to serve the community and improve on the developmental process.
He also said that his administration will always consult the palace in its activities and decisions.
“We have accepted the calling to contribute to the development of Ikorodu”, Erogbogbo declared.
“We will always approach and carry Kabiyesi along in our activities and seek royal approval for our programmes. We are going to work with Kabiyesi to make things go very well.
“We are assuring you that we will continue from where we met and progress and not retrogress”, he added.
Meanwhile, in his acceptance address after his election and inauguration as the new IKODASS Chairman, Erogbogbo charged members of his exco on total commitment and dedication to the development of Ikorodu.
“You are here because you are either a true son or daughter of Ikorodu or you are a genuine friend of Ikorodu. You are here because of the call. You heard the call, the call of Ikorodu, that is why you are here and that is why l am here.The call is about the development of Ikorodu”, he charged.
“That is why we are called IKODASS. Ikorodu – Oga Development Association. The reason we exist is because of Ikorodu, because if there is no Ikorodu, there would be no IKODASS.
“Yes, the reason we exist is Ikorodu. Ikorodu should, therefore, be our focus. For us as members of Ikorodu Oga Development Association , Ikorodu should be first.
“The greater interest of Ikorodu should be paramount in what we do. We must rise beyond clannish parochial sentiments. We must rise above religious, political and sectional fault lines to embrace a greater Ikorodu mindset.
“Ikorodu must be first for us because it is then and only then that our youths can find meaningful expression. It is then and only then that, like our anthem says, Ikorodu can become headquarters.
“There is no other option for us. To do otherwise is to negotiate the ideals of our association. To do otherwise is to subvert what we stand for. To do otherwise is to deny our identity, nay, our destiny”, Erogbogbo said.
“We have chosen this path; the path of developing Ikorodu. Let us walk this path because it is the path to greater Ikorodu.
“IKODASS, it is time to roll up our sleeves, redouble our efforts and walk our talk for the greater good of our land. A greater Ikorodu is possible”, he further charged.
The new chairman speaking on his plans in the next two years said that the new administration will unveiled its agenda in the next two weeks.
However, he said that IKODASS will be introducing the Ikorodu Literary Initiative, Ikorodu Through Your Lens and Food Baskets among others.
He thanked the founding fathers of IKODASS and past chairmen of IKODASS, especially his immediate predecessor, Otunba Abiru, and his team for keeping the flag flying.
Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, the Aremo of Ikorodu Kingdom and former Chairman, IKODASS, Alhaji Fatai, the immediate past Deputy Chairman, IKODASS, Barr. SOK Shilings, former IKODASS Secretary, among other dignitaries witnessed the election and inauguration of the new executive members.
