Jare Olukotun & Kunle Adelabu
-Adeboruwa calls for unity, cooperation
After about a year of faceoff between the Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) authority and the Adeboruwa Palace and the market association, Alhaja (Chief) Ashake Modinat Shonubi Wahab, has been officially recognized by the council as the Iyaloja General of the council.
She was presented with the certificate of recognition by the outgoing council boss, Builder Sesan Daini, on Tuesday, following the resolution of the controversies surrounding her emergence some weeks back.
The presentation, which took place at the council secretariat’s hall, was witnessed by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Nurein Maja, Secretary to the council, Barr. Ade Ayeni, other cabinet members and councilors.
Also in attendance were family members, chieftains and members of the market association who sang victory and celebration songs all through the presentation ceremony.
Presenting the certificate to the Iyaloja General, Builder Daini read its content to the guests in the hall before handing it over to her.
“Chief (Mrs) Alhaja Ashake Modinat Shonubi Wahab has been conferred with the market association’s Chieftaincy title: Iyaloja General of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA dated 17th June and signed by the council chairman, Builder Sesan Daini and the council manager, Mrs Olamide”.
Speaking after receiving the certificate, Alhaja Ashake Wahab was full of appreciation to the outgoing chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, market men and women and entire people of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
She said that her major agenda is to empower market men and women and improve the state of the association.
“I thank everybody that came to rejoice with me. I am really thankful for their support, because I am the youngest Iyaloja General ever in the history of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
“One of my goals is to change the way some things are being done. I want to put in place a structure for the management of the market association. Secondly, I want to mobilise capital to support market men and men in form of empowerment.
“I am also interested in establishing more markets in Ibeshe, Elepe and Offin. We have a lot of plans which are going to unfold as time goes on. At the moment, our major focus is to boost the markets in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA”, she said.
She commended the outgoing chairman of the council for his efforts, and added that he has pledged to give the market association support.
Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, Babaloja General, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, said that he was the happiest person for the inauguration of the Iyaloja General.
He emphasised that the Iyaloja General has the quality, capacity and experience to manage the market association.
After receiving the certificate of recognition, the new Iyaloja led the chieftains and entire members of the association to pay homage to the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, in his palace.
In his royal remarks, the royal father appealed to the members of the market association to let go of all that had happened and hold no grudges against anybody. He charged them to relate in peace and harmony so that the association can be taken to a greater height.
Oba Kasali added that it is only through peace that there can be development in markets.
While asking for prayers and support for her and the Baba Oloja, Adeboruwa added that the Iyaloja is capable and has the wherewithal to make significant contributions to the development of the association.
Oba Kasali charged Alhaja Wahab to reach out more to chieftains of the Adeboruwa – in – Council and members of the market.
The Odofin of Igbogbo, Odofin Tajudeen Alade Onasanya, also speaking, commended the association for their cohesion and unity, while, on behalf of the Adeboruwa and his chiefs, he sympathised with them on the demise of Baba Oloja of Igbogbo, Chief Mukaila Onabanjo.
Odofin commended the market association for giving the late Baba Oloja a befitting burial, while also recalling the impacts of late Onabanjo on markets and Igbogbo Kingdom at large.
He charged them to look inwardly and pick a capable hand that would replace the late Baba Oloja and continue from where he stopped.
The revered high chief, however, urged the market leadership to carry the palace and other stakeholders along in their decision.
Also at the palace, special prayers were offered for the Iyaloja and Babaloja General by the Apena of Igbogbo Kingdom, Chief Yahya Agoro and Balogun of Igbogbo, Chief Jelili Oduntan.
Recall that Alhaja Wahab was elected by the market association in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA under the leadership of Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, the Babaloja General of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, following the death of the former Iyaloja General, Chief (Mrs) Rachel Obayomi, in August, 2024.
Her emergence, however, caused uproar as the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA authority kicked against her choice, and consequently announced Chief (Mrs) Mojisola Oyesanya, the Deputy Iyaloja General to late Chief Obayomi as the acting Iyaloja. The position of the council was that the emergence of Alhaja Wahab did not follow due process, but the entire market insisted on her choice.
Despite the council’s stance, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu – Ojo capped Chief (Mrs) Ashake Wahab as the duly recognised Iyaloja General of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA. Since then, she has been presiding over the affairs of the market association in the council, while she has also been duly recognized by the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, market association and the community.
The controversies surrounding the new lyaloja General’s emergence was later resolved following the intervention by Rep. Babajimi Benson, Adeboruwa – in – Council, Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA) and other notable individuals.
