Kunle Adelabu, Mariam Akinloye & Taiwo Olaleye (Trainee)
-As Ayangbure confers Iya Oba chieftaincy title on Tinubu
-Demands more development from govt
The 10th coronation ceremony of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi reached its climax on Saturday, with the gathering of eminent traditional rulers, government functionaries both at the federal, state and local government levels, captain of industries and other eminent personalities.
The grand event held at the Musical Village Ikorodu, witnessed the conferment of the title of Iya Oba (King’s mother) of Ikorodu Kingdom, on the First Lady of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, CON, OON.
The Oni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan, the Ojaja II, and his Olori, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Torungbuwa II and over 50 other traditional rulers were in attendance to honour the highly revered royal father.
The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jubril Barau, led the government functionaries that included Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, Governor of Lagos State represented by the First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Claudia Sanwo – Olu, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, Senator representing Lagos East, Sen. Saliu Mustapha, Sen. Osita Izunaso, Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Rep. Babajimi Benson, representative, Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians In Diaspora Commission, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Retired Brigadier Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, Chief Judge of Lagos State and Hon. Gbolahan Ogunlewe, representative, Ikorodu Constituency I among others.
Oba Shotobi, speaking listed numerous achievements under his reign in the last 10 years which the royal father emphasised has enhanced development, peace, progress and prosperity in Ikorodu.
“Notable among these is the creation of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited (IDPIL), which was initiated by me and other Obas in Ikorodu Division in 2022, to address, majorly, the insecurity across Ikorodu Division, at that period.
“I am glad to inform this august gathering that since its formation, IDPIL has effectively and efficiently lived up to its billing as security in Ikorodu Division has witnessed tremendous improvement.”
The royal father commended Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of Ikorodu Kingdom, for personally spending millions on security, education, health, palace constructions and other areas.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu emphasised his own impacts on education especially the award of scholarships to indigent students across various higher institutions.
While also commending the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on infrastructural development of various parts of Ikorodu, Oba Shotobi demanded for development projects from the government.
“However, like Oliver Twist, we are demanding for more developmental projects to enable Ikorodu cope with its recent status as the 3rd largest city in the South-West and 12th in Nigeria, as we have continually witnessed the influx of people from within and outside the country, a situation that has extremely overstretched the available resources and infrastructure,” Oba Shotobi demanded.
Sen. (Chief) Oluremi Tinubu who was represented by Mrs Remi Hamzat, appreciated the Ayangbure and the entire people of Ikorodu for considering her for the exalted title, which she described as a call to further service.
“It is with great gratitude and honour that I accept this chieftaincy title of Iya Oba of Ikorodu Kingdom. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to your royal Majesty Oba Alayeluwa Oba Kabir Shotobi, Adeborushen V, the Ayangburen -in Council, the Royal family and the good people of Ikorodu for finding me worthy of this distinguished recognition. This gesture is not only a personal honour but a call to continue service and a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to the progress and well -being of Lagosians and Ikorodu in particular.
“The title Iya Oba carried with it not just prestige but responsibility, one rooted in compassion and guidance. As a mother, I received this honour with full awareness of its cultural significance and I say thank you to Kabiyesi.”
The First Lady of Nigeria acknowledged the place of Ikorodu in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole, adding that the division has produced many personalities that have made significant impacts.
She also congratulated the monarch on his coronation anniversary.
“I congratulate your majesty and the people of Ikorodu Kingdom on your 10th coronation anniversary and commend your majesty’s leadership over the past decade.
Your tenure is marked by peace, progress, stability and strengthening of our cultural heritage,” she said.
In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, said that the Ayangbure of Ikorodu has provided impactful leadership in his first decade on the throne, during which the royal father made himself a voice of development and preservation of culture.
“Your Royal Highness, 10 years on the throne is not measurement in the passage of time, but in the depth of the impact. In a decade of your stewardship, you have been much more than a custodian of treasured traditions of the ancient town of Ikorodu, you have been a strong and eloquent voice for the development of your people; for the preservation of our cultural heritage and for the integration of our traditional institutions into the national governance architecture.
“Under your reign, Ikorodu has consolidated its place not only as a cultural power house in Lagos State, but also as an important economic and political hub. You have nurtured peace and unity within the kingdom, created an enabling environment for commerce and sustained Ikorodu reputation for hospitality and enterprise,” the Deputy Senate President said.
The federal lawmaker also commended the royal father for his impact in education, empowerment and infrastructural development of his domain.
“Your majesty’s reign has been a bridge between the past and future, preserving the rich tradition of Ikorodu while entertaining modern development. You have supported initiatives in education, youth empowerment and infrastructure, ensuring that Ikorodu remains the reference of progress between Lagos State and Nigeria at large.”
In their royal remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Torungbuwa II, also commended their Ikorodu counterpart for his impacts in his first decade on the throne and wished him more successful reign.
Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of Ikorodu, and Chairman, Anniversary Central Planning Committee, speaking earlier emphasized the impacts of Oba Shotobi in the last 10 years.
“It is, however, pertinent to inform this august gathering that this anniversary event is not only to mark Kabiyesi’s 10 remarkable years on the Ayangburen stool, but more significantly to celebrate a decade of his dedicated service to Ikorodu community and its people, as well as the preservation of our cultural heritage and unprecedented progressive development and major milestones witnessed under his widely accepted and celebrated reign.”
Other eminent personalities at the grand finale are Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, former Governor of Lagos, Mr Musliu Smith, former Inspector General of Police, Sen. (Sir) Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister of Works, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, Aare Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Asiwaju Steven Anifowoshe, the Asiwaju of Ikorodu and Mrs Anike Adekanye, former Tutor – General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II among others.
At the event were also Prince Adedayo Ladega, Executive Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, Executive Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba Executive Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Ameen Ibrahim Apanisile, Executive Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA and Prince Lanre Sanusi, Executive Chairman, Amuwo Odofin LG.
Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAMI) was on ground to entertained guests.
