Kunle Adelabu
As the week – long activities lined -up for the celebration of the 10th year anniversary of His Royal Majesty, (Oba) Dr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, kick – off today, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has felicitated the highly revered Ikorodu monarch.
President Tinubu described him as a remarkable monarch who has done so well to maintain unity and peace in his domain and also encouraged development.
Tinubu, said in a statement he personally signed in commemoration of the anniversary of ascension to the throne by the Ayangbure 10 years ago.
The statement is reproduced below:
Traditional rulers are revered in societies that appreciated traditions and also today, owing to their critical role as custodians of culture and tradition. However, their influence has waned considerably in modern times because those elected into government at all levels now wield constitutional authority.
Nonetheless, traditional rulers remain pivotal in maintaining peace and order in society. Even when our political system has not carved out constitutional roles for royal fathers, their pivotal role in democratic governance is well noted and respected.
Because traditional rulers know their people deeply, they resolve disputes among them, including family, land, chieftaincy, and other issues. This has helped sustain and maintain peace and unity, precursors of development.
Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, has done remarkably well in this direction and many other ways. Since he ascended the throne in August 2015, the Ayangburen has engendered good understanding and robust working relationships among traditional rulers in Ikorodu Division and Lagos State. More than ever before, I learnt that the Obas in the division now work in harmony. Oba Shotobi has also been instrumental in the emergence of other traditional rulers and chiefs in Ikorodu Division.
The Ayangburen of Ikorodu is as remarkable as Ikorodu Town. Ikorodu is uniquely located in Lagos State, the Southwest, and Nigeria. Because of its location, Ikorodu is the gateway to the country’s hinterland.
On record, Ikorodu, a traditional settlement of the Ijebu people, became important in the mid-19th century as a trading post on the trade route from Lagos to Ibadan.
However, the town has grown significantly over time due to the development brought about in the city by successive governors of Lagos, their representatives at national and state assemblies and the council chairpersons in the area. The town also benefited from the enabling environment, the peace, order, and stability, engendered by successive traditional rulers of Ikorodu and their people.
Ikorodu’s traditional rulers have brought fame and fortune to the city. From Oba Salaudeen Afolabi Oyefusi, who was on the throne for almost 40 years, to the present Oba Shotobi, there has been noticeable transformation in Ikorodu Land. Oba Oyefusi elevated the throne, making it a respectable and enviable royal stool. Oba Shotobi has also etched his name in the annals of Ikorodu’s development.
As Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, I developed a special relationship with Ikorodu. I opened up the old Ikorodu Division by creating additional councils, building roads and other infrastructure projects, and promoting the town’s development.
At present, the old Ikorodu Division boasts of Ikorodu local government, and five Local Council Development Areas, including Igbogbo-Baiyeku, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Imota and Ijede. As Baba Oba of Ikorodu Kingdom, I have, over the years, also developed an uncommon interest in the development of the town and forged a unique partnership with her traditional rulers, particularly the late Oba Oyefusi, who conferred the highly respected title on me. I also deeply respect Oba Shotobi and the town’s leaders including Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya.
With wide -ranging experience in the private sector and traditional institutions, Oba Shotobi emerged as the 20th Ayangburen of Ikorodu in August 2015, fully prepared. Before he ascended the throne, he was already a successful businessman, devoted community leader, and promoter of traditional institutions.
I understand Oba Shotobi began his career as a clerical officer with the Tourist Company of Nigeria, which managed several hotels, including the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island. In 1979, he travelled to the United States to pursue higher education, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Following his return to Nigerian in 1984, he took employment with the West African Portland Cement Company, where he rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Chief Electrical Engineer before retiring in 2004 after 20 years of service.
After his retirement, Oba Shotobi reconnected with his roots in Ikorodu. He founded Kadesh Ventures Nigeria Limited, a petroleum products and marketing company with multiple retail outlets in the area.
The Ayangburen clocks 10 years on the throne of his forebears on August 10, 2025 , I salute him for his integrity, hard work and enduring commitment to developing Ikoroduland. Such was Ayangburen’s commitment to cleaning up the town and burnishing her image that he played a salutary role in the passage of a significant bill sponsored by the former majority leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, on the menace of the Ajagungbales; like Hon. Agunbiade, Oba Shotobi was concerned about the menace and passionate about stamping it out. The monarch reportedly personally attended the public hearing on the bill and held several private discussions with the sponsor and others, all of which aided the passage of the bill at the Lagos Assembly.
On this occasion of Oba Shotobi’s 10th anniversary, I pray to God Almighty to grant him more years of impactful reign. May his reign be peaceful and prosperous for Ikorodu and its people, and may Ikoroduland continue to grow and develop in leaps and bounds.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President & Commander – in – Chief
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
