Kunle Adelabu
-As IKODASS Chairman charges leaders, youths for greater good
Representative of the ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, has called for a special recognition for Ikorodu Division area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, while stating that he and other elected representatives will work towards achieving the status.
Benson, who chaired the grand finale of the 32nd Ikorodu – Oga Day Celebration which held at the Ayangbure palace on Saturday, November 18, 2023, also assured the royal fathers and residents of Ikorodu Division which is also a federal constituency, that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who is the Baba Oba of Ikorodu Kingdom, will be beneficial to his constituency.
Also joining the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, (Engr.) Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, at the grand ceremony were: His Royal Majesties, Oba Fatai Aremu, the Ojora of Lagos, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Bashir Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe, and Oba Ahmed Moruf Olalekan Ogunnaike, Alagura of Agura.
Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District represented by Dr (Otunba) Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, Hon. (Chief) Sanai Oyeniran Agunbiade, former Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Executive Secretary, Ikorodu Division Peace initiative (IDPIL), Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun and Baroyin of Ikorodu, Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, the Aremo of Ikorodu, Chief Sulaimon Ogidi, the Ajiroba of Ikorodu, were among the eminent personalities that graced the occasion.
Honourable justices in Lagos State were also on ground to support the Chief Judge of the State, Honourable Chief Judge Kazeem Alogba, who was conferred with the Merit Award, at the grand finale.
“This year’s edition of the annual festival, themed ‘The Time ls Now,’ signifies the achievements and transformation that will take place in Ikorodu, Lagos State, and Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Baba Oba of Ikorodu. It is a time for us to benefit more from the government in areas such as infrastructure, education, empowerment, health, and sports”, Rep. Benson said.
“I am confident that this administration will bring a renewed hope and make Nigeria stronger and better. It may be very tough at the momen, but there is assurance that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. President Bola Tinubu is aware of the challenges faced by the people and is working tirelessly to improve the economy and quality of life.
“Please, permit me to once again congratulate and thank God for the good health of our Kabiyesi to witness this occasion. Let us also remember our great country, Nigeria, in our prayers for national prosperity.
“I want to emphasize that Ikorodu, as the third largest city in the South West region, deserves special recognition. We will work together with Senator Adetokunbo Abiru and our representatives at the State Assembly – Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye and Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), to ensure that Ikorodu Division is given its rightful position”, the Chairman of the occasion said.
The Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Asiwaju Rotimi Erogbogbo, in his own address, charged leaders and residents to bury their hatchets and work in unity for Ikorodu’s greatness.
“Let nobody blame Mr. Governor for the none – appointment of more people of Ikorodu extraction into his cabinet, because ‘bi iku ile o pa ni, ti ode o le pa ni (nothing untoward can happen to a person if someone close does not compromise). It is the house rat that tells the bush rat how to access the store. To blame Mr. Governor is to forget that all politics is local. To say you are a leader representing Ikorodu in any political party is to be able to fight for Ikorodu, defend Ikorodu and bring the benefits of democracy and governance home to the generality of our people. Blaming Mr. Governor and other external bodies and party organs for the none appointment of our people is trying to hide behind one finger”, he said.
“The time is now to bury the hatchet of our differences. The time is now to come together for the greater good of our community. Running with the hares has never benefitted the rabbit. Make no mistake about it, there is no community on the face of the earth devoid of dividing factors, none. Dividing factors, however, need not cause divisions. It is up to us, in this day and age, not to let them cause divisions among us because dividing factors speak to our diversity.
“Our diversity speaks to our strength and ingenuity. Our strength is manifest in our ability to shape the future we desire. We shape the future by our thought, our thinking, our mindset, our deeds. Our fathers did it despite their divisions. We must do it for this and the generations unborn. Our diversity should enrich us rather than diminish us. Our diversity must channel us to the greater good of our community. Our diversity would not cause divisions if we realise that together, we are more than the sum of our parts as indeed we are”, Erogbogbo charged.
The IKODASS Chairman also charged youths to take advantage of the fast growing Ikorodu city to develop themselves and make it more prosperous.
“To our teeming youths, I say Ikorodu is in your hands. It is what you make it. Our fathers met a land filled with ‘odu’ (vegetable) plants and turned it to the third largest city in Southwest Nigeria; what are you going to make of this city rapidly expanding in every direction, dear youths? What? A den of drugs or a fortress for free enterprise where dreams become reality and industry pays? A cesspool of crime or a wellspring of intellectual sagacity and innovations? A land of mediocrity where anything goes or the epitome of excellence and integrity? A laughing stock in the comity of cities or a reference point for good across the world? The choice is yours. The opportunity is here. The time is now”, he said.
“My dear youths, you are not too young to be heard. To wait or dilly-dally; to procrastinate, is to be lost in history. You must act now. You must take decisive decisions now so that you can live in the Ikorodu of your dreams tomorrow. You must sacrifice now because no man becomes great without delaying gratifications. That is what our founding fathers did. That is what you need to do. And the time to do it is now”, Erogbogbo, again, charged the youths.
While commending Senator Tokunbo Abiru for intentionally steering Ikorodu towards technology and innovation through the magnificent Innovation Hub he has sited in the town, Erogbogbo also lauded Rep. Babajimi Benson for being a resolute son of Ikorodu and a true representative who deployed his reach and influence for the good of Ikorodu by ensuring that many roads and other infrastructures are made available.
Senator Tokunbo Abiru, also speaking, said that the Ikorodu – Oga Day affords residents the opportunity to partake in civic engagements and reach out to government and corporate bodies in further developments.
He was represented by Dr (Otunba) Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, his Special Adviser on Constituency Matters.
In his own remarks, the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, thanked God, all the royal fathers in Ikorodu Division and the entire residents of Ikorodu, for the award confered on him.
He charged that those in position of authority should use their positions to support other people and Ikorodu town.
