Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
-Holds grand finale today
The chieftains, sons and daughters of the legendary Princess Elesinmegun, a daughter of Prince Adesusu one of Oba Oshinbokunren’s children in Igbogbo Kingdom in Ikorodu Division area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, have inaugurated an annual celebration to preserve her.
Princess Elesinmegun derived her name from her ownership of horses which she used in conveying her article of trades which mainly farm produce to markets in Ipakodo, from where they were conveyed to Lagos Island in those days. Thus, the legendary name ‘Elesinmegun’ (a horse rider)
Aside preserving the legacy of the great woman who was not only a brave woman, merchant but also the first Iyalode of Igbogbo Kingdom, the family is also using the celebration to bring together the themselves together.
The celebration kicked – off with Iwure on Thursday at Itunla and later there was a procession round the town by the family and paid homage at houses of late elders of Elesinmegun – Ule Baba Alagbafo, Ile Iya Alaso, Musilmot Omobitan, Chief Agbaje Sotomiwa, Ajasa Omobo house, Chief Thomson Sotomiwa house and the Adeboruwa palace.
On Friday, there was health care outreach for the members of the family and invited friends and also a special jumat prayer.
The grand finale of the celebration is today in Igbogbo and some activities lined up are special prayer, introduction of family branches, award presentation to those that have contributed to the family, raffle draw, recognition of two outstanding members of the family in academics
According to the family four royal fathers including His Royal Majesties, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba (Dr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobu, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba David Raji, the Eweye of Isiu and Oba (Oba) Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, are expected to grace the grand ceremony at which Professor Oluwole will deliver a lecture on the unity of the family in the modern society.
A trust fund which would propagate the aim of the family for the Elesinmegu Day – sponsoring of developmental programmes, granting scholarship to students beyond the family, support for retirees among others.
Chief Abayomi Olajumo Sotomiwa, the Olootu Elesimegun family, Igbogbo, speaking on the celebration said that the family is celebrating and immortalizing a brae woman whose offspring have also been impacting on the community.
“Elesinmegun was a brave woman in igbogbo kingdom. She was also a princess too. She was the first born of her father, whose name was Adesusu, one of Oba Oshibokunren’s children, the first king in Igbogbo.
“We are doing this remembrance to preserve and sustain her legacy which is going well and progressing with the contributions of her offspring in Igbogbo. Some of her offspring of Elesinmegun have been an Honourable member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and also Councilor in the Local Government. We have principals who are administering schools, head teachers, teachers, accountants, Professor Abayomi Omobitan, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, LASU is also part of the Elesimegu family.
“These are some of the reasons that we resolve to celebrate and preserve her and at the same time, ensure that the community is reminded about her memories. She was the first Iyalode of Igbogbo Kingdom, that is why they called her Dada Elesinmegun Oba Obinrin (Dada, the owner of houses and king of the womenfolk in Igbogbo)
“Her two children who are female – Omobowale and Efunamiwo, are the ones that beget we the children celebrating them today”, the family head said.
He charged family members to come together so that they can in togetherness move the family forward and sustain the legacy.
“My message to family has Olori Ebi Elesimegun is that we should all come together as one, because, if we are united, we will know what to do to move forward as Elesimeguns. I want us to come together in unity.
“This celebration is also for us to raise money for the upliftment by supporting the youths in achieving their dreams, so that they too can be good representatives and proud Elesinmegun family members<”, he said.
High Chief Adedayo Sotomiwa, Olisa of Ipakodo and a chieftain of the Elesinmegun family of Igbogbo, also speaking with THE IMPACT on the celebration emphasized the need for unity, and love within the family ad primary reasons.
“Unification, love, and reunion of all the Elesimegun Descendant, that is the purpose of the celebration and most importantly to assist ourselves and to bring all the family members together to avoid marriage, and also, to make sure that most of our children, windows, widowers, and other members that are in need are supported.
“This will not be all social affairs, rather, it is an attempt to do something to assist ourselves and the society.
“There is no other thing that we want from the family except unification, reunion, and to assist each other that is just the purpose”, the traditional chieftain said.
Mr Olugbenga Oduniyi, Chairman of the Elesinmegun maiden celebration said that the celebration is primarily to bring the family together to know themselves and celebrate their legacies together.
“The celebration is important because it is getting to a point where our children are meeting themselves and they do not now that they are one and the same. This is to correct that and bring us together as one so that we can d things together achieve together and prevent all that our great mother and other family greats have left behind. So that all that they have done will no go in vain. This is more reason that we need to bring the Elesinmegun Day into existence.
“The major factor that orchestrated it is our Olisa title in Ipakodo. Whenthe stool was vacant, the family was called to occupy it and if we failed it will be passed to another family. That was the beginning of the unity that we are seeing.
“Since my brother has been installed as the Olisa of Ipakodo, he has been making every effort to bring the family together. Elesinmegun is one of he branches of Adesusi that are part of Ipakodo family. Elseinmegun is actually her nickname, and the first Iyalode of Igbogbo.
“Elesinmegun actually have two daughters but as we speak, the family as extended beyind what we can imagine. That was why we thought of bringing everyone together, The celebration is not only for merriment, but carefully selected programmes.
The secretary of the planning committee, Sotomiwa Odunlami Adeoye Elesinmegu also emphasized bringing family members together to remember and celebrate the legacy of a legend and mother as the significance.
Why narrating that the legendary woman was a merchant and wealthy woman, the planning committee secretary added that history has it that she ran her business during a period when there was no vehicle in Igbogbo but she moved her commodities to market with the aids of horses
Speaking further on the celebration, Sotomiwa said:
“We have agreed that we should be celebrating her every year. The purpose of celebrating Eleshimegu is not by primary for social, but generating funds to the family so assist in supporting members of the family that are in needs, assist educational developments of embers and continue to bring the family together.
Sotomiwa also called for unity and cohesion among the family members and also charged residents of Igbogbo to always celebrate and preserve their heritage.
Meanwhile, hundreds of family members and residents of Igbogbo have benefitted from the medical outreach on Friday organized by the family as part of the activities commemorating the maiden Elesinmegun Day.
A special thanksgiving service to round up the celebration is slated for the Methodist Church, Etunji, Igbogbo, on Sunday, which is the Elesinmegun family Church.
