Kunle Adelabu & Kenneth Odede
-As IDEA, eminent personalities pay him tributes for achievements in office
The immediate past Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Builder Olusesan Mayokun Daini has been honoured with an honourary chieftaincy title of Otunba Tadese of Igbogbo Kingdom.
He was installed by the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, on Thursday, during an event organized in honour of the former chairman for his achievements during his eight years administration by the Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA).
The ceremony took place at the newly commissioned Adeboruwa Palace in Igbogbo built by the administration of Builder Daini.
Royal fathers and eminent personalities at the event were HRM Oba Bashir Shotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, HRM Oba Olukayode David Raji (JP), the Eweye of Isiu, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, Asiwaju of Ibeshe Kingdom, Chief (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, APC chieftain, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Executive Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Prof. Michael Ajetunmobi, former Vice Chairman, IDRDG, Mr Waheed Kasali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Lagos State, Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, former Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku, Chief (Mrs) Ashake Wahab, Iyaloja -General, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, High Chief Sotonwa, the Olisa of Ipakodo, Odofin Tajudeen Onasanya the Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom, traditional rulers, Baales, Alhaji Sheriff, Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Dr. Wole Ogunyemi, FCIB, Chairman, Conference of Igbogbo Indigenes In Civil and Public Service (COIICPS) among many others.
Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Kasali making the pronouncement said that the former council administrator is deserving of the honour because of his achievements especially the building of the palace which he said he has also promised to equip.
“What we are doing today should serve as a lesson to all of us. People always say that what has he done and that he is making use of public funds and not his personal money, but what if he doesn’t do anything, they will still accuse him of non-performance,” the royal father submitted.
Oba Kasali said, “I thank the Igbogbo Development Association for the thought of honouring him.
“It is proper that we pray for him, honour and celebrate him. Today, we are honouring Sesan Daini with a chieftaincy title as the Otunba Taadese of Igbogbo kingdom.”
In his royal remarks, Eweye of Isiu, Oba Raji, said that the honoree has proven and offered himself prayer with his conduct.
While referencing some of his major achievements – building of an ultra – modern market, council secretariat and the palace, the royal father described him as the best among his peers in Ikorodu Division.
“You will continue to go higher because there are three things that I observed that he has done in Igbogbo since I became king in my place that shows that he has really tried.
“Do we need to talk about the council or the Market or where we are today because there’s no one who would enter this place without praying for him?”
Alhaji Ganiyu Oduntan, General Secretary, Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), speaking earlier on the idea to celebrate the former chairman, also reiterated his achievements especially the new palace.
“The reason for our excitement and honour is because when the present executives of IDEA were constituted, we were not pleased with the state of the old palace. Each time we entered the palace, we always felt bad with its look, especially when we held programmes here.
“But when he called to inform us about his plan on building a new palace, it seemed as though we were dreaming but he insisted that he was going to finish the project within a given period. We all thought it was impossible until we saw things with our eyes.
“That’s why we are here to say thank you because you turned our pain into happiness. May God reward you with happiness always. May you continue to go higher and never fall off,” IDEA Secretary explained.
He charged the new chairman to use the achievements of the previous administration as a benchmark of his own performance and specifically urged the new administration to build a town hall for the Igbogbo community.
In their remarks, other eminent guests and representatives of strategic groups also took their turn to pay tribute to the chieftaincy title holder, Otunba Daini.
The Asiwaju of Ibeshe and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya described the celebration organized in his honour as an appreciation for his good representation.
“This is an appreciation for quality representation for someone who was given the mandate and has performed beyond expectations. The least you can do for such a person is to appreciate him from the source; from the community and that’s what you are seeing here today.
“One thing about today is that it was not premeditated. It’s was not planned for a long time but seeing his performance as a Local Government chairman who has done this for his community, for his heritage and to make the Kabiyesi happy and the entire Council of Chiefs glad, because it’s not a common thing to see.”
The political leader expressed his happiness that the former chairman is honoured.
“I am happy that Adeboruwa -in -Council has deemed it fit to give him this honour. The honour is not fake and it’s not bought. He merited it and the significance of that is to show to those that are coming that when you have the opportunity to serve, serve selflessly, serve to leave a legacy and serve to leave a good name. Sesan Daini has made a good name and a record in Igbogbo/Baiyeku,” Asiwaju Kaoli said.
Chief (Mrs) Akinsola, chieftain of the APC and Vice President IDEA, also commended the former council executive chairman for espousing what the group stands for and assisting them in achieving the goal of developing Igbogbo.
She described Daini as a good leader and visionary who has developed himself and is still developing himself.
“We see in him a good leader, a developer, a visionary and someone who knows what he is doing and what contributed to all of these is his educational background – first degree in UNILAG was BSc in Building and his MSc in Construction Engineering and he’s already doing his PhD, so he brought his expertise to Igbogbo/Baiyeku.”
In his reaction, Otunba Daini who recalled the charge given to him by Adeboruwa at “Ipebi” some years back, that he should protect his family name and make landmark achievements, was full of appreciation for the honour bestowed on him and assured the royal fathers and esteemed guests that they would not regret the decision.
“I don’t have much to say, except to assure the people of Igbogbo, Adeboruwa and my father, Fidimolu of Elepe, that you won’t regret this title that you bestowed on me. I will do everything in my power to move Igbogbo forward.
“All that I have done within the 8 years that you have given to me is for me to protect my family’s name. I did it for a day like this. I did it because of the names of our forefathers and that’s why I did everything within my power to succeed and God granted me the power.”
Others who spoke at the ceremony were Alhaji Sefiu Ogunyemi, APC chieftain, Dr. Adeleke Dankuwo, President, Igbogbo Youth Forum (IYF) and Chairman Igbogbo Indigenes in Diaspora among others paid glowing tribute to the former council chairman.
