Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba, and other prominent individuals have commended the initiative of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom over his royal visitations to senior citizens in his community – to appreciate them for their contributions and present them with gifts.
Otunba Niyi Banjoko, the Bobakeye of Ikorodu and others also lauded the royal visitations which were initiated to commemorate the 11th coronation anniversary of the Ayangbure.
The royal visitations that started on Wednesday with visits to centenarians in Ikorodu and Odogunyan continued on Friday with the Oba Shotobi visiting the father of the Lagos CJ, Alhaji Jimoh Alogba at his Lowa home and Alhaji Waidi Abiola Akerele. While Chief Alogba is 95years old, Alhaji Akerele is 91years old.
Speaking during the visit to his father by the royal entourage, Justice Alogba described it as a historic and commendable initiative by the revered royal father.
“This visit is historic. It’s never been done before for Kabiyesi who is the Commander-in-Chief of the entire Ikorodu Kingdom, to leave his palace and be visiting elders of Ikorodu in different families. It’s highly historic and worthy of emulating.
“He shows the love he has for elders of the kingdom and also that he knows and appreciates the fact that he’s not doing it alone. This is not just historic event by His Royal Majesty, but also showing to the youths that they should respect elders.”
Justice Alogba emphasising the importance of the visit, also said that people must learn from the royal humility and appreciation of elders.
“If the Commander-in-Chief of the kingdom can come down from his pedestal and go around paying homage to the elders, it’s a lesson and the lesson to be learned is that elders must be respected. That’s the tradition, that’s the Ijebu tradition and that’s the Yoruba tradition. So, we must emulate it.”
“I pray that he will do this for so many more years with sound health and the kingdom under his watch will always be glorifying, moving towards greater heights and all its citizens will also do well.”
Otunba Niyi Banjoko, the Bobakeye of Ikorodu Kingdom, also speaking lauded the initiative, revealing he has never seen such by any royal father in Nigeria embarking on such in his 30 years as an honourary chief and a traditional chief.
“This is one of the greatest things that ever happened in Ikorodu Kingdom and not only that, I think I have been an Otunba or a Chief for almost 30 years and I’ve never seen anywhere in Lagos State or any other state in Nigeria that this type of thing has ever been done. It’s unique, it’s special, it’s very interesting and encouraging.
“I think it’s commendable that the Alayeluwa (Oba) Dr. Kabiru Adewale Shotobi can initiate such a gesture in Ikorodu Kingdom, to go and visit the elderly ones from 90s upward. This is a group of people that are usually forgotten in other places because they are old. You will think maybe they are not of any importance anymore, but they still have wisdom. So, its important that we visit them, make them happy, and let them realise that they are still important.
‘It’s highly commendable,” Otunba Banjoko said.
An elderly woman, Alhaja Sherifat Ebunoluwa Akintoye in her own remarks described the initiative as incredible and pleasing to her.
“It was an incredible occasion. I really appreciate it, and I am very happy and pleased about it. I sincerely hope that this initiative will continue.”
“I think that Kabiyesi has taken a very good step. He has taken a very good initiative. I really believe he has done very well by putting this kind of occasion together. It is something incredible, and it will go a long way. People will remember him more and more for this, and I pray that he himself will live long for us,” she said.
She said that the historic visits would give the senior citizens happiness.
“They will feel very happy. They should be very happy if I am this happy. I believe that they will be very happy,” she added.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, in his royal remarks after the visitations, expressed satisfaction at the acceptance of the initiative by the honorees, their family members and eminent and distinguished residents.
“I am overwhelmed with the reception and acceptance of my initiative for our senior citizens. It is to make them have that sense of belonging; that boys of nowadays are not relegating them to the background. We still value them. We still appreciate them. We still know what they did for the progress and development of Ikorodu and we will continue to appreciate them.”
Oba Shotobi furthered:
“You can see in those two places that we were able to visit that they were overwhelmed and I want to thank my chiefs, and every other person that was part of my entourage.”
An elated Alhaji Jimoh Alogba, expressed his happiness singing and commending the Ayangburen of Ikorodu.
The elder statesman urged unity and cooperation among Ikorodu people.
On his own part, Alhaji Waidi Akerele, who was visited at his Ibeshe home also appreciating Kabiyesi’s gesture said that the royal visit was unexpected.
