Kunle Adelabu
-Aremo Ogunsanya emerges Chair
Another history was made on Thursday, when the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), under the able leadership of Asiwaju Akeem Rotimi Erogbogbo, inaugurated the first – ever Board of Trustees (BOT) of the umbrella body of all clubs, societies and associations in Ikorodu.
The board, which is made up of all the past Chairmen of IKODASS and the serving one, was sworn in at the IKODASS Secretariat by Barr. Ezekiel Obaikpe.
Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, the third Chairman of the association responsible for the organisation of the annual lkorodu – Oga Day, was unanimously elected as the BOT Chairman.
Other members of the board are: Otunba David Ekiyoyo, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, Otunba (Dr.) Fatai Olukoga and Otunba Ganiyu Abiru.
Asiwaju Erogbogbo, speaking at the event, commended the past Chairmen for their services to Ikorodu, and for pioneering what has now become the rallying point for every son and daughter of Ikorodu.
He said that the constitution of the BOT was in fulfilment of the constitutional provision.
“We have an association today, because of the selfless services you rendered in years gone by. One common denominator to everyone around this table is the fact that you served this great association in the highest office as Chairman sometime in the past. For this, I thank you on behalf of myself and our association”, Erogbogbo said.
“As you are well aware, our constitution requires that we have a Board of Trustees at the apex of the structure of our association. It is in fulfilment of that, that we have gathered here today.
“In searching for qualified individuals to occupy this exalted office, we consulted far; we consulted wide and we thought very deep, knowing fully well that this body carries a lot of weight in determining the direction for the affairs of our great association”.
The IKODASS Chairman said that after wide consultation, the association resolved at constituting all the living past Chairmen with the current one into the board.
“All considered, we settled for all the Distinguished Commanders of IKODASS alive. This decision was unanimously approved by the Executive Council at a meeting and ratified by the General Council, at the meeting held on Sunday 1st of October, 2023”, he said.
“It is on the strength of this that we have gathered today to inaugurate the Board of Trustees of Ikorodu-Oga Development Association, for the next five years as specified by our constitution”.
Erogbogbo said that the new call to service will allow the past chairmen to use their experiences in guiding the association that they contributed greatly to its formation and sustenance.
He informed the new BOT members that the major focus of this year’s annual Ikorodu – Oga Day is raising funds for the establishment of Business Incubator Hub.
“It is my hope that this new responsibility will afford you the opportunity to rekindle old acquaintances among yourselves and bring your wealth of experience to bear in guiding our great association to greater heights in the reality of this present dispensation”, the IKODASS Chairman said.
“By the powers of our constitution, the Board of Trustees has the responsibility to choose its Chairman. It is my expectation that you achieve that today.
“Let me seize this unique opportunity to intimate the board that as part of this year’s Ikorodu Oga Day Festival, we shall be raising funds for the building of Business Incubator Hub which will house all government agencies involved in certification of SMSEs and their products.
“We believe that this will go a long way in reducing the burden on our SMSEs going outside Ikorodu to pursue these certifications”, he said.
The new BOT Chairman, in his acceptance speech on behalf of the board, thanked the IKODASS for deeming it fit to engage past Chairmen who had served the association.
He pledged to work with other members in assisting the executives and the entire IKODASS organization in achieving its aims and objectives.
Otunba David Ekiyoyo, who also spoke, commended IKODASS under Asiwaju Erogbogbo, for constituting the BOT, describing it as a laudable initiative.
Some of the executive members of the IKODASS at the BOT inauguration were: Alhaji Lateef Adeyeri, IKODASS Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Kabat Ajalogun, Vice Chairman, Prince Kazeem Elemuren, General Secretary, Mr Samson Dawodu, Treasurer and Mr Adeshile Kassim, Social Secretary among others.
