Kunle Adelabu
The newly installed Alajede of Ijede, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Hon.) Saheed Hassan Adefarasin, Ajanaku II, has explained how his 13 years’ struggle to mount his ancestors’ throne became challenging with several cases and long legal battles.
Oba Adefarasin who was presented with staff of office recently by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo -Olu, however, assured residents of Ijede and stakeholders that his reign would be a continuation of his service to humanity which he has been rendering while he served for two terms of eight years as representative of Ikorodu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly and also elected and served for two -terms as Executive Chairman, Ijede LCDA.
His installation and presentation of the instrument of office was attended by stakeholders across Ikorodu Division and large numbers of people from Ijede.
Alaiyeluwa Adefarasin spoke with THE IMPACT after receiving the staff of office at his home in Ijede.
“I feel elated. I’m happy. It’s been a long journey since 2012, after the demise of our former Oba (late HRM Oba Fatai Oresanya). So, it’s been a tortuous journey, and it has not been easy at all because of all these legal battles.
“We had about three judges on this case from 2013 to this day, that has been a problem.”
While assuring that his reign would focus on service to his kingdom, Oba Adefarasin stated that he was called upon by stakeholders and family to mount the throne based on his service to Ijede and humanity in general during his previous public engagements.
“This is not my first service to humanity. I was a former member of the House of Assembly for two terms, between 1999 to 2007. So, it has always been a service to the people. I served them very well. And later, in 2008, I became the chairman of the Ijede LCDA.
“I was instrumental in the creation of the local government. I served twice, too. So, while I was there the issue of Oba came up, and through the service to the community, they said I should come and be an Oba. Since then, the tussle has been on to this day.”
The new monarch, while further promising his people good services and inclusive reign, also declared, “no victor no vanquish” and called for cooperation from everybody.
“It’s a continuation of a good service to the people in every positive way. If you were there, when I was delivering my acceptance speech, I told them that it was a service, and we should all bury the hatchet.
“Whatever that is good, there will always be competition. And if one is victorious, it is all about “No Victor. No Vanquished.”
“Now, I’m appealing to all our people that they should expect good things coming from my reign.
“Yes, I’m ready to cooperate with everybody. I’m not particular about the rift with anybody. Like I said, there’s no victory, there’s no vanquish in this particular case.
“I’m accessible to everyone in the community. So, I don’t intend to do anything to anybody.
“If you notice, after the collection of the instruments of office, I walk through the community, dancing with my people, so that they should know that it’s a new dawn in Ijede kingdom,“ Oba Adefarasin said.
