Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
It was a grand ceremony when the ban was lifted on social activities and entertainment in Ikorodu Kingdom, known as ‘Odu Osu’ (Osu festival), or ‘Odun Oba’ (King’s Festival), when His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Adegorushen V, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu hosted other royal fathers and guests in celebration of the first traditional festival in Ikorodu.
At the grand finale which was held at the Ayangbure Pavilion were traditional chiefs, eminent personalities and residents.
Odu Osu, which used to be three months, was reduced to nine days at the advent of Oba Shotobi’s reign. It is usually characterized by traditional rites, activities at the ancient palace in Ajina and the modern palace.
Also, in attendance in their large numbers were chieftains and members of Ikorodu – Oga Heritage Global, who are sons and daughters of Ikorodu in the diaspora that have come together to promote Ikorodu and also join in the development of their home town. They were special guests of the royal family and the occasion also served as their formal introduction to the royal family and other critical stakeholders in Ikorodu. The group received royal blessings and approval of the stakeholders.
Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom and former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, setting the tone for the celebration explained the importance of the festival and why it was reduced to nine days.
Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Defense (right), HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo (middle), and ano HRM Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe (left)
“Today’s event is of two parts – one is Odun Osu (Osu festival) which is the King’s Festival and the first to be staged in Ikorodu in a year. It is after it that any other can come up. The festival has great traditional importance because in Yorubaland, we can’t eat yam until after Odun Osu.
“It is very important to us in Ikorodu and in the years past, the traditional head in Ikorodu usually celebrated it for three months and during the period, there would be no social gatherings or any other celebration in town.
“It was at the advent of the present Ayangbure after due consultations with traditional stakeholders that it was reduced because we can’t hold residents for long again in modern times and because residents want to celebrate house warming, wedding, naming and burial of their departed parents.
“This is why it was reduced from three months to nine days and we shall celebrate it for long,” Agbaakin Elesho clarified.
Welcoming members of the Ikorodu – Oga Heritage Global, he said that the royal father and entirety of Ikorodu are happy with their decision to support the royal father in advancing Ikorodu.
“The second phase of today’s event is the royal reception for Ikorodu – Oga Heritage Global.
“We are happy to receive them because they said that it is because of Ikorodu’s advancement that the body was put together.
“On checking their records, we realized that they are more than 430 in membership strength.
“Most of the members of the group are our children that are playing important roles in the annual celebration of Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode and they have resolved to return back home to celebrate in Ikorodu and join us in developing Ikorodu.
“I thanked the coordinators of the group Alhaja Ejide Hassan, Alhaja Modupeola Shineshine and others. Also, their pillars, Alhaji Sikiru Enifeni, Alhaji Baale Akeem Ogbara and others,”
Alhaji Sikiru Enifeni presenting the aims and mission of the Ikorodu Heritage to the Ayangbure and the generality of Ikorodu residents stated that the group would be focusing on promoting Ikorodu’s heritage and tourism.
“Ikorodu -Oga Heritage Global is focused on the promotion of our beloved heritage for global tourism, attraction in synergy with the Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Adegorushen V, the paramount ruler of Ikorodu Division alongside Her Royal Majesty, Olori Abosede Kudirat Shotobi, with the High Chiefs, Chiefs, Baales, Erelus and the entire stakeholders of Ikorodu for the growth of our city for global tourism attraction through peaceful co- existence.
“Ikorodu has been known as the domicile of the elites and socialites, and personalities across the globe and that is why we have deemed it fit to contribute our quota toward giving back to our beloved community for development.”
Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), the umbrella body of all clubs and associations in Ikorodu, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, congratulating the Ayangbure and the entire royal family, also welcome members of the Ikorodu – Oga Heritage Global.
Erogbogbo emphasized that Ikorodu is now a city while also stressing the importance of clubs and associations registering with IKODASS.
“Ikorodu is no longer a community but a city with a huge population. It is the second largest city in Lagos, the third in Southwest Nigeria and the 12th in Nigeria.
“I want to state that the Ikorodu -Oga Development Association is the umbrella body of all associations and groups in Ikorodu. Ikorodu – Oga Development Association is Ayangbure and Ayangbure is Ikorodu -Oga Development Association.
“There is nothing that you want to do in terms of tourism and culture that does not concern the Ayangbure and Ayangbure has ceded it to the Ikorodu -Oga Development Association and it is imperative for you to register with the IKODASS.
“Let me make this bold statement that your registration with Ikorodu -Oga is non – negotiable because we have been on it for a very long time.
“The registration with IKODASS is not to control you but to moderate your programmes with ours. For instance, today, you are guests of his royal family. Tomorrow you will not, rather, you are going to be hosting programmes with us. That’s why we need to meet minds as regards the matter. You have to be on the same page with us concerning Ikorodu -Oga Day programmes so as to make good arrangements
“Ikorodu -Oga Global you are very welcome. We like you and welcome you to be part of us for development, socials and tourism,” he said.
Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, the Odofin of Ikorodu also welcomed the group and thanked them for joining in the development of Ikorodu. He assured them of maximum support from the Ayangbure.
He stated that the Ikorodu – Oga will be grander than any other festival.
In his royal remarks, Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Ajibade Bakare, thanked the Ikorodu – Oga Heritage Global returning back home to contribute to their home town.
“The entire traditional rulers in Ikorodu Division are appreciative of your decision to return home and contribute to the development of Ikorodu and you have made good decisions on that.
“The Odun Osu festival is an important one that we usually use to remember past Obas. We celebrated ours in Imota last month.
“Ayangbure and the entire Obas are happy with your coming and your group must register with the IKODASS for synergy and we want to see you at all times.
“Ikorodu is growing by the day and we want all of us to grow and develop with it.”
The royal father urged the Ikorodu Heritage Global to identify fully with the IKODASS.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, thanked the royal fathers, traditional Chiefs, eminent personalities and guests that graced the grand finale of the 2025 Odun Osu
Ayangbure emphasised that the festival is the first annually and thanked all the families that welcomed him warmly to their houses during the nine-day Odun Osu.
The royal father affirmed that the three months prevention of celebration was reduced to Nine days ten years ago when he mounted the throne because Ikorodu is growing by the day and because of the need to promote social and economic activities.
Oba Shotobi also thanked the political class for complying with the no celebration instruction during the nine days citing the decision of the political class of not using the Ikorodu Town Hall for the burial prayer and reception for late Alhaji Salisu Alogba, which was taken elsewhere in compliance with the ban.
While welcoming Ikorodu sons and daughters in the diaspora under the aegis of Ikorodu – Oga Heritage Global, Oba Shotobi, also thanked them for returning back home to contribute to the development of Ikorodu and charged them to be fully part of the 10th anniversary celebration of his coronation slated for August.
The Ayangbure also charged the Ikorodu -Oga Heritage Global to work with IKODASS since all the stakeholders have welcomed and accepted them.
The royal father specially acknowledged and commended Rep. Babajimi Benson for his quality representation and gesture toward the royal family, chiefs and the generality of Ikorodu people.
He prayed for the lawmaker’s continuous progress and welfare.
