Kunle ADELABU
-Commissioners for Chieftaincy Affairs, Commerce, Gani Adams appeal for support for Adeboruwa
-Adeboruwa’s chief servant gets 2017 merit award
The 2017 Igbogbo Day Celebration, which coincided with the first year coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade I, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, lived up to its tag as the ‘festival of new beginning’ considering the finesse which the organization of the events, which culminated into the grand finale on Sunday, November 26, 2017, featured.
In attendance at the ceremony, which was held at the Igbogbo Township Stadium along Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road, Igbogbo, were the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode represented by Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami, Commissionr for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Member of the Federal House of Representatives and Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja
There were also important traditional functionaries like Aare Ona-Kankanfo of Yoruba, Otunba (Dr) Gani Adams, HRM Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, Ranodu of Imota, HRM Oba Adewale Osiberu, Elepe of Epe, HRM Oba Akeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Obateru of Egbin, HRM Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe and Oba Fatai Aremu Aromire, the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmuland among many others.
Unlike the previous editions, the 2017 Adeboruwa Merit Award , which is the highest honour of the annual celebration, was bestowed on the Chief Servant of Adeboruwa (Odi Oba),Chief Taiwo Oriyomi.
In his royal speech, Oba Kasali described activities staged to mark the 2017 Igbogbo Day Celebration as deliberately designed to chart new course for the ancient community.
“Today’s occasion is the culmination of a 10-day long activity designed to bring out a new phenomenon for Igbogbo. The preceding programmes were rich in variety and the spontaneity of the support and embrace they got from the young and old leaves little doubt that the organizers of the two events that we are concurrently celebrating today did not lose focus of the goals they have set for themselves”, said Oba Kasali.
He ascribed the success of the celebrations to the managerial capacity of the planning committee and supports received from all and sundry.
“I am most delighted to profusely express my appreciation to both the 2017 Igbogbo Day Planning Committee and the Coronation Anniversary Committee for working round the clock to produce the good result recorded so far” , he said appreciatively.
”The 2017 Igbogbo Day Planning Committee has chosen as theme, ‘Festival of New Beginning’ and slogan, ‘#IgbogboKingdomOurCultureMyPride’. This is very instructive message. It is beckoning on all the sons, daughters and friends of Igbogbo to look inwards into their capabilities and project themselves and the kingdom to the world as global players in economy, politics, sports, music and the various forms of human endeavour”, he challenged.
“I encourage them to do nothing than that. At this junction, I must acknowledge the unprecedented involvement of the youths in this edition of Igbogbo Day. The Coronation Anniversary Committee also put up a good show by working in the interest of an appreciative community to immortalize a year of comforting achievements which by themselves give a hope for the attainment of an Igbogbo of every one’s dream”.
“God is a God of possibilities. I give Him all praises and honour. I ascribe all that we have achieved to His benevolence. It is traditional for the Yoruba man to give thanks for an act of goodness so that many more may follow. I thank the Almighty for starting us in a good stead”.
The elated monarch also acknowledged the support and the favourbale disposition of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and others.
Speaking with the media at the celebration, Hon. Muslim Folami, Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, who represented the Governor of Lagos State, stated,
“My message to the people of Igbogbo is that they should support and cooperate with the new monarch. The monarch has the interest of Igbogbo at heart because since his coronation a year ago, he has been making lots of requests from the government on behalf of Igbogbo kingdom. I want to thank the entire people of Igbogbo to have chosen the right person to rule over the kingdom. The Oba is very active and knows what he’s doing as an Oba. He really cares about the development of his kingdom”.
While also speaking with the media, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, said,
“Community day like this is an occasion for the indigenes of Igbogbo at home and all over the world to come together to felicitate with their loved ones and contribute to the development of the town. It is a good thing that communities in Ikorodu division are united as one indivisible entity. I rejoice with Oba Kasali and entire Igbogbo people on this auspice occasion of marking one year coronation anniversary of Oba Kasali. Other Obas and prominent individuals are gathered to rejoice with him and the community because he is a well educated and exposed Oba. We are all happy with him”.
The Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Comrade Sesan Daini, in his own speech at the occasion stated that the celebrations mark another achievement in the history of Igbogbo kingdom.
“Today marks another milestone in the history of Igbogbo as we celebrate the 1st Coronation Anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul- Semiu Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade I, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom and Igbogbo Day 2017. I heartily congratulate our kabiyesi, the Adeboruwa-in-Council, and the entire people of Igbogbo Kingdom on today’s occasion” , Comrade Daini stated.
“Oba Kasali’s ascension to the revered and exalted throne of his fore-fathers in preservation of the culture and tradition of Igbogbo people has ushered in glad tidings and great things in our ancient town. A town peopled by civilized sons and daughters who have always held their shoulders high and distinguished themselves as illustrious indigenes of Igbogbo at home and abroad” , said the chairman.
“From time immemorial, Igbogbo’s tradition epitomizes integrity, honour and resolute commitment which has bequeathed on the ancient town enduring prosperity, rich cultural heritage and revered tradition”.
“Today’s double celebrations, in observance of age-long tradition, speaks volume of the desire of Igbogbo people to preserve and sustain our traditional leadership and authority in preservation of our rich cultural heritage”.
“On this auspicious occasion, I want to state our administration’s commitment to support the traditional institutions within the Local council because we see them as critical stakeholders in the growth and development of our council. Our traditional institutions play significant roles in ensuring that the interest of there subjects is taken care of by the government, and that the spirit of co-operation and communal living and peaceful co-existence for which the people are known for are preserved”, he stated.
Comrade Daini also enjoined indigenes and residents alike to sustain the peaceful co-existence that has pervaded the town since the emergence of Oba Kasali.
Otunba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona-Kankanfo of Yorubaland who was the Special Guest of Honour, while commending the celebration of Adeboruwa’s coronation anniversary, also enjoined the residents to always give supports to the monarch at all time.
“This is a very commendable ceremony for our kabiyesi and I want other parts of Yorubaland to emulate the way and manner Igbogbo people is celebrating their monarch and culture. I also want to appeal to you (Igbogbo residents) to always cooperate and support the monarch so that there can be social, political and economic developments in the ancient town”, said Otunba Adams.
“Our Obas are the representatives of the Olodumare (God) and we must treat them with care, respect and honour. This is one of the reasons the Alaafin of Oyo bestowed on me the revered title of Aare Ona-Kankanfo because I always accords monarchs due honour and respect. There is no one that honours our kings that would not be honoured by the crown”, he pleaded.
“I came here to be part of the celebration of our revered Oba and the town. I wish the monarch long reign and Igbogbo prosperity. When next that you will be celebrating the second coronation anniversary, the town would witness more prosperity, peace and development and this I also pray for the entire Ikorodu division”, he prayed.
Aside the traditional Gbedu drummers who were strategically positioned to welcome traditional rulers and other important dignitaries and staging of masquerades, popular fuji musician, Alhaji Sulaiman Adio Malaika, was also on ground to make the dignitaries dance and enjoy themselves.
Other prominent individuals at the occasion were Sen. Seye Ogunlewe, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, Mr Kola Ogunkoya, Dr Omotunde Ogunlaja, Mr Femi Davies, Media Consultant to Otunba Adams, Mr Shakiru Odusanya, General Manager, Lagos Printing Corporation, Hon. Ameen Ola Apanisile, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Sunmi Odesanya, Commissioner I, Lagos State House of Assembly Commission, Prince Abiola Kosoko, the Alashe of Ebute-Iga, Hon. Titilola Gbenga, Vice Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, Publisher of Oriwu Sun Newspaper among many others.
There were also royal and other families as well as groups, associations in and outside Igbogbo which were also accommodated under different well decorated canopies.
