Mariam Akinloye
The 10th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, (Oba) Engr. Dr. Abdulkabir Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu kicked – off on Saturday with carnival like activities all around Ikorodu City spaces and at the Ayangbure Palace.
The Woro which saw large numbers of Ikorodu residents filling out in various traditional, social and other groups in a procession, took off at 8.48am at the Osugbo Abalaye Chamber at Ajina Market. Various traditional groups that participated were dressed in white attires.
The crowd moved through Ajina to Ita Elewa, Aga, Obun Ale, Itunmoja, Alhaji Street, lkorodu Round About down to Ayangbure Road and converged at Ayangbure Palace, to conclude the Woro procession and to kick – off the Olomba Day celebration, which started 11: 58 am when Oba Shotobi stepped out of the palace to join hundreds of traditionalists and residents of Ikorodu.
In his royal remarks, the Ayangbure thanked residents for their support and for turning out in their large numbers to honour his anniversary.
Oba Shotobi who has specially welcome tourists from Germany who he revealed are planning to build a museum in Ikorodu, also described the celebration as that of the Olombas and thanked them for preserving the cultural heritage of Ikorodu.
“I thank our European visitors. They have come from Germany to see our culture. They are actually planning to build a museum for us in Ikorodu and today, they sent their representatives here. I will ask you all to kindly welcome them to Ikorodu.
“To the traditionalists, today is your day. You’re the one accommodating us today because you’re the one celebrating. This is the 10th year of our reign and you have always made yourself available. It has been you and the Kingmakers that have been watching my back and those of my ancestors.
“I remember when you took me to the traditional secluded house (Ipebi) in preparation for my coronation 10 years ago. Today is the day that came out and you enthroned me on the seat of our ancestors which I have been on for 10 years.
“I am really grateful to the 24 Princes that also showed interest in the throne from among whom I was chosen by Ikorodu people. The people chose me and they have stood by me since then.”
Kabiyesi charged the entire Ikorodu people to support the forthcoming Eyibi Festival which he said the government has given its approval to.
Oba Shotobi also urged custodians and residents on the need to continually preserve the culture and tradition of Ikorodu Kingdom and also charged them on the need to use the festivals to celebrate and promote peace and unity.
Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, the Asipa of Ikorodu Kingdom and Asiwaju of Ibesheland, said that the celebration is about identifying with the heritage of Ikorodu through everything started.
“What we are witnessing today is coronation celebration of the 10th year that Kabiyesi ascended the throne. It was exactly 2nd of August, Kabiyesi was enthroned as the king and it was started by the group that are here today – traditional institution. It is all about our identity, heritage and who we are as a people regardless of religion.
“This is not religion; it is identity and that is the beginning of any recognized community. Every group of people have their own identity, in terms of language, culture and how we dress, the type of song we sing and that is identity and that is what we are doing today.
“I am happy with what we seeing here today which is a form of accommodation and tolerance that we have in Ikorodu. The inter -religious peace we all enjoy, because, most of the people that are here today, you will find out belong to different religious groups, but we have the same identity as Omo Eluku and that is what we can see here today,” he said.
Assessing Oba Shotobi in the last 10 years, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya said that the royal father has done very well by extending the Ayangbure Palace within two years, and attracted government interventions.
He also listed the upgrading of the former Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) to Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), prioritisation of education by empowering youths with scholarship and ensuring adequate security to bring about peace and rebranding of Ikorodu.
Asipa Kaoli also pointed out that there were only four Obas when Oba Shotobi came on the throne but today and with his interventions, there are now eight Obas in Ikorodu Division.
Otunba Ayodele Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu and former Commissioner for Information, also emphasised the importance of the day and roles of the traditionalists in the affairs of Ikorodu.
Elesho, who is the Chairman, Media & Publicity sub – committee of the coronation anniversary, also stated that there are other social, educational programmes which are going to be unfolded as the celebration moves on.
Former Permanent Secretary/Clerk, Lagos State House of Assembly, Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru , also speaking said that the Woro and Olomba Day of the coronation ceremony signify the importance that Ikorodu attaches to its tradition through which the people are promoting their culture as tourism for further development.
