Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-As AGF Shamsideen Ogunjinmi gets Merit Award
The grand finale of the 34th Ikorodu -Oga Festival, turned out to be a massive event as the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, were installed as the Mogaji and Otunba Adekilumo of Ikorodu respectively, by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu.
Also honoured was Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, who was installed as the Baba Isale of Ikorodu Kingdom, at the ceremony held at the Ayangbure palace on Saturday.
At the well -attended grand event, the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Shamsideen B. Ogunjinmi, was honoured with a Merit Award, the highest honour by the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), the body responsible for organizing the annual celebration.
This year’s Ikorodu – Oga Day Festival was themed, ‘Celebrating Our Roots, Forging Our Future’.
IKODASS Chairman, Alhaji Kolawole Fatai, addressing the large audience which included dignitaries from Abuja, said that the annual celebration which, according to him, has gained ground as one of the foremost celebrations in the state, has been expanded to include new initiatives.
“We have successfully Repositioned the annual Ikorodu-oga festival and other IKODASS activities into widely accepted events that are now being embraced by all and sundry. Under this acronym, we have also rejuvenated the Ikorodu-Oga Cultural and Arts Troupe (IKOCAT). Just few days ago, IKOCAT stage a live-stage play- ADE ISEMBAYE; a stage play that chronicles the historic transition of Ikorodu from a small hamlet into a kingdom.
“Our administration’s innovative approach and introduction of the Fanti carnival among other initiatives, have positively impacted on the image of IKODASS and Ikorodu-oga festival in particular. This is evident in the unprecedented turn-out of dignitaries ever-recorded during this annual celebration”.
He emphasised that the Ikorodu City, unlike before, has attained unity with residents cooperating and coming together to promote peace and advance progress.
“Today, I am happy to say openly that peace, unity and security have truly returned to our dear city. Our youths have retraced their steps by following the footsteps of our founding-fathers who lived in peace and love during their time. Again, we have been able to prove to skeptics that the Ikorodu-Oga that we bear is not a mere appellation, but a true reflection of our identity as a people with unique cultural value and identity. Ikorodu-Oga has now become a trending event on social media and other online platforms”.
While stating that the annual celebration affords Ikorodu the platform to promote peace, unity, preserve its cultural heritage, celebrate its rich culture, and drive strategic development, Alhaji Fatai enjoined dignitaries present to support the kingdom in its numerous self – help projects.
The IKODASS Chairman congratulated the awardees – the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Shamsideen B. Ogunjinmi (Merit) and Late Chief Zulukainain Adebayo Ogunsanya, SAN (Posthumous award) for their contributions to the development of Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria and humanity at large.
Oba Shotobi, during the installation ceremony, thanked the President of Nigeria, First Lady and the entire National Assembly for the recognition given to Ikorodu with their presence in large numbers to celebrate the grand finale of Ikorodu -Oga Festival with him and residents.
The royal father commended the Speaker for leading the House of Representatives towards legislative excellence, especially in the area of giving traditional rulers constitutional roles.
“I have discussed with the Speaker our demand for recognition in the constitution and the Speaker has promised me openly that before they leave office, they will make the monarchs in Nigeria, useful by making us part of the governance of the federation at the federal, state, and local levels. I want to thank you, and I believe you will fulfill your promise.
“We are seeing your handwork. They have presented some of the amended copies of the constitution to us, and some of the governors met with us to review the amendments. You are fulfilling your pledge, and God will see you through.
“Thank you very much for being here in Ikorodu. You have been doing well for us, and we are going to honor you. You shall be honored because you are a Prince and for your good work”.
Thereafter, Rt. Hon. Abbas was installed as the Otunba Adekilumo with the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Fadilat Sheikh Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowo -Oribi, joining the Kabiyesi to decorate and present the new chief of Ikorodu necessary paraphernalia of office, including a big Al-Q’uran.
While installing Sen. Abdulaziz Yari, former Governor of Zamfara and now representing the state in the National Assembly, Ayangbure said that the Senator is being honoured because of his contributions to Nigeria, Lagos State and Ikorodu.
Oba Shotobi emphasised that Sen. Yari support for President Tinubu who is from Lagos and the Baba Oba of Ikorodu Kingdom, is also a major factor in conferring him with the title of Baba Isale of Ikorodu Kingdom.
“What this gentleman has been doing for us in Nigeria, Lagos State and Ikorodu, is speaking for itself and this is why we bestowed the title of Baba Isale on him. The role he’s been playing with the Commander- in -Chief of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu whom he has been giving massive support, is remarkable.
“Tinubu is our son in Lagos and he (Sen. Yari) is doing all it takes to give him the necessary support, and that is why we say he must not go without being honoured, and that is why we are giving you the title of ‘Godfather’ of Ikorodu.
In his royal remarks while presenting the Merit Award to the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Shamsideen Ogunjimi, Oba Shotobi described him as a true son of Ikorodu who is representing very well at the federal level.
“For us in Ikorodu, to recognize him means a lot to us. He is one in a million, and truly deserves this award. He comes from a genuine family in Ikorodu. If you are not from Ikorodu, you cannot be given this award. He is a true son of Ikorodu.
“We are witnessing today a special occasion for you. We cherish you and want to thank you for making us proud in Ikorodu, since you have been in office. You have never disappointed us.
“He started by bringing the immigration office to Ikorodu. He began helping many of our children to gain employment. I am still looking for employment, and he is going to help me get one”, Oba Shotobi jokingly said while presenting Mr Ogunjinmi with the Merit Award”.
While presenting the posthumous award to the family of late Chief Adebayo Ogunsanya, SAN, which also included his son, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, Oba Shotobi commended the present executives of IKODASS for recognizing the late legal giant’s contributions after many years.
The First Lady of Nigeria, who is also the Iya Oba of Ikorodu Kingdom, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, speaking, congratulated the royal father and entire people of Ikorodu on the occasion of the celebration.
She was represented by Mrs Jumoke Benson, wife of the representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who also congratulated the honourees.
A total of 93 students across various higher institutions were presented with scholarships by IKODASS, at the grand finale.
Presenting the beneficiaries to the Kabiyesi and other dignitaries, Mr Seun Elesho, Secretary of the IKODASS Scholarship Board, stated that the recipients have 3.5 CGPA and above, and acknowledged the support of individual corporate and family sponsorships. Among these are Late Babatunde Olusola Benson,SAN, late Justice Abiru, AGL, Sir David Sunmomi, Adelaja Sobanjo family, Ladega Education Empowerment Fund, Achievers Club, Alogba family, Erogbogbo and others.
Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and members of the House of Representatives supported the IKODASS scholarship scheme with N50mmillion, while Se. Yari pledged N100million to sponsor 20 students and Governor of Jigawa State N20million.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were His Excellency, Mallam Umar Namadi, Governor of Jigawa State, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, Lagos East, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Adedayo Ladega, Chairman, Ikorodu LG, Hon. Babawale Alogba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LG, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, Asiwaju of Ibeshe, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, Odofin of Ikorodu, Sen. Ganiu Solomon, and members of the National Assembly.
Oba (Dr.) Frederick EnitiOlorunda Obateru Akinruntan, CON, Paramount Ruler & Prescribed Authority Olugbo of Ugboland who was the Royal Father of the Day, led many other royal fathers to the grand ceremony, including HIM, Oba Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife who was represented by Oba Muraina Adebanjo, HRM Oba (Dr.) AbdulHakeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, Oba (Engr.) Monsuru Abimbola Oladega, the Olu of Agboyi, Oba Olukayode David Raji, the Eweye of Isiu, Oba Adekunle Sulaimon Bamgbade, the Olofin of Isheri, Oba Ahmed Moruf Olakunle, the Alagura of Agura, Oba Shobowale Benson, Olu of Ojodu, Oba Mudashiru Biliamin, Olu of Ishaga among others.
