Wale Jagun
-We are promoting development in Ikorodu Division – Otunba Abiru
The Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited (IDPIL), on Thursday, flagged – off the second palace construction in Ikorodu Division, for traditional rulers with the laying of foundation for the ultra – modern palace for the Eweye of Isiu in lkorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The foundation laying ceremony was performed by the Eweye of Isiu, Oba David Olukayode Raji, Jpil, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, Chairman, IDPIL and Baba Oba of Isiu, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Executive Secretary, IDPIL, Dr Titi Onafowokan, IDPIL chieftain, and Alhaji Monzor Olowpshago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun newspaper among others.
Before the flag – off of the palace construction, IDPIL had earlier donated a 14 seater bus to Imota General Hospital, while the body also pledged to donate a 40kva generator to the hospital, and another 40kva generator with air-conditioners to the palace of Ranodu of lmota, in few days time.
Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Executive Secretary, IDPIL, speaking at the ceremony, congratulated the Eweye and entire people of Isiu, for witnessing rapid developments since the emergence of Oba Raji, about five years ago, while he also commended the peaceful nature of Isiu.
The former Clerk/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State House of Assembly, also lauded the sponsor of the palace project, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, for his humanitarian gestures all over the country.
He stated that Odofin Ogunsanya, who is the Baba Oba of Isiu, decided to sponsor the construction of the palace after the grand reception accorded him and the IDPIL team at the grand finale of the last Isiu Eweye Day celebrations.
He added that the palace construction is part of the missions of the IDPIL setup by the traditional rulers in Ikorodu division, emphasizing that the group is only complementing what the government is doing, and not in competition with the government.
He stressed that the group has, to a large extent, tackled insecurity in Ikorodu, while he also mentioned other areas of intervention by IDPIL, among which are health where the IDPIL is constructing a Renal Centre and educational sector where he said the group is also constructing a technical school and award of scholarship to students.
“Before coming here, we have been to Imota to donate a 14 – seater bus to the hospital as one of the critical needs of the hospital.
“Since the commencement of the IDPIL, we have awarded scholarships and bursaries worth about N250 million.
“We are doing all these to develop the Ikorodu Division”, Otunba Abiru added.
He charged residents of Isiu, to always cooperate and support the Eweye whom he said is always concerned about the development of the community.
Oba David Olukayode Raji, Jpil , the Eweye of Isiu, in his remarks, expressed his happiness at the development that is happening during his reign.
The royal father lauded his Baba Oba for the gesture.
“I am the happiest person today and that is because something like this has never happened before in this town in the last 300 years, and that makes it significant to be the Oba that is laying the foundation of a palace during my reign.
“The palace construction is being sponsored by God sent High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, the Odofin of Ikorodu and Baba Oba of Isiu.
“We have started this and it shall be completed very soon and we will all be part of the commissioning.
“Odofin Ogunsanya is doing this because he is from the royal family and he will reap the benefits. He shall be remembered for hundreds of years as the person that built this palace and other things that he has been doing”, the royal said.
Chief Babatunde Ogunberu, Chairman, palace projects, while also welcoming the project, assured that it would be well maintained.
“This project is very welcome and we are happy in this town for it. We are going to ensure that the structure is well protected and maintained”.
Asiwaju Wale Ogunbela, 2nd Vice Chairman, Isiu Eweye Development Association, also speaking, described the initiative by the IDPIL to embark on the construction of a befitting palace for the Eweye, as a great thing to happen to lsiu, and charged other privileged individuals to emulate the gesture.
