Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
-Royal father wants to attain 100 years on the throne
The royal visit of HRM Oba (Dr.) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, continued during the week as the traditional ruler and his entourage visited the emeritus Prof. Sikiru Adebayo Sanni and Alhaji (Chief) Rafiu Fashanu, in commemoration of his 11th coronation anniversary.
While Emeritus Prof. Sikiru Sanni, 90 years, who was the first Professor of Chemical Engineering in Africa, was paid the royal visit at his Ipakodo country home, Pa. Fashanu, 107, received his royal guests at his Aga home in Ikorodu.
Oba Shotobi, speaking at the home of Prof. Sanni, said that the visitations, which kicked -off last week, were to appreciate senior citizens, and also aimed at hearing assessment of his reign.
“My visitation today is to come and get appraisal from you an elder. This is what I cannot get from my people at the palace, but I am sure of getting proper appraisal from those that are my parents.
“Also, I am also encouraged to embark on the visit because of IKODASS programmes for the old people in Ikorodu from 70 years and above, and almost 200 of them attended the event at the palace where they played games and rejoiced together.
“I was able to see happiness and fun that they have been denied just sitting at home, but which they exhibited while with their peers. This informed my own initiative to visit selected senior citizens that have made remarkable impacts”.
The royal father emphaised that Ikorodu kingdom still cherish its elders.
“We are here to tell you that you are still very much cherished, and to also tell you that you still matter to us.
“Many in my entourage chose to be part because they wanted to see how you are doing since they don’t see you in public”.
While enumerating his plans for Ikorodu, the royal father also informed the emeritus Professor of his efforts and others in Ikorodu to produce the next Governor of Lagos State which he said wasn’t successful.
Oba Shotobi, also speaking at Pa Fashanu’s house, further stressed the purpose of his visitations.
‘With our outing, we have been able to see and confirmed that Pa Fashanu, who is about 108, is still alive. We have also been to elders that are 102, 100, 95 and others. We are blessed with elderly people in Ikorodu.
“Just like IKODASS celebrating elders in Ikorodu with a programme called “Ijoko Agba”, we are bringing them out and visiting them to know that they are still life and that we have not abandoned them. We are appreciating them for what they have done.
“But my own visit, which is also to appreciate some selected elders, is to commemorate my 11th coronation anniversary and that is why I have eminent personalities, Chiefs and Baales in my entourage”.
Ayangbure, who was encouraged by the commendations that have trailed his initiative, also expressed his aspiration of reaching 100 years of age.
“I am happy that Ikorodu people appreciate this initiative of appreciating our elders.
“I don’t know what God has in store for me, but I want to be more than 100 years”, Oba Shotobi said.
Emeritus Prof. Sikiru Sanni, welcoming the royal entourage, recalled his encounter with Oba Shotobi on his 90th birthday, and how the Ayangbure has been reaching out to him and be of assistance whenever he needed his intervention despite him not being close to the palace.
“So, I see Kabiyesi of Ikorodu as a member of my family. Anytime that I need anything, he always answer, even though that I don’t go to the palace.
“Kabiyesi, I am very grateful because of the love that I have for my late brother has been extended to me. So, when I got his letter of visitation, it wasn’t convenient for me but I must honour Kabiyesi”.
He commended and thanked the royal father for the honour of paying him a visit with his entourage.
Another eminent personality in Ikorodu, Engr. Lai Adegbola, who was part of the highly revered scholar guests, commended the royal father’s initiative, describing it as a way of bringing people together and making them have input in his administration.
“It’s excellent. It’s a good initiative in the sense that he is not seeing himself as above everybody. He wants to relate and unite everybody and he’s taking care of the elderly, middle -age and the younger ones.
“The initiative means show of love to the elders and every other in Ikorodu. He is bringing the palace to the people. He is using the opportunity to meet with the elders to assess his reign and offer him advices. He is showing friendship and gaining wisdom on how to make Ikorodu progress”.
Lady Evangelist Olakemi Soderu, wife of Sir (Engr.) Olukayoce Soderu, also lauded the Kabiyesi’s initiative.
“The visit is first of its kind because we have never had of such in this town. I really appreciate the visit. It really means a lot to us. It’s a good gesture for Kabiyesi to personally paid a visit to our father. We appreciate it as a family and pray that the initiative is sustained”.
