Kunle ADELABU
-Prays for successful completions of Gov. Ambode’s tenure, Igbogbo – Ijede road
The traditional ruler of Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Comrade Sesan Daini, were among other eminent indigenes and residents who attended the Annual Igbogbo Prayer on Monday, January 1, to usher in 2018.
The special prayer, which was held at the Adeboruwa Palace in Igbogbo, was led by the leaders of the three dominant religions – Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion, as the entire Igbogbo town gathered in unison to pray for the unity and progress of Igbogbo community.
Successful completions of the ongoing rehabilitation of Igbogbo – Bola Tinubu- Ijede road and first term tenure of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode were also parts of the prayer points of the session.
Khalifat Abdullahi Sheriff Taiwo, the Coordinator of the annual prayer event,while setting the tone for the event stated that the prayer session has become part of Igbogbo community’s tradition.
He added that the purpose of the prayer is to create bonds among the three religions and by extension, the entire Igbogbo indigenes and residents.
Khalifat Sheriff also stated that aside collectively praying for the progress and development of Igbogbo, the event is also meant for praying for God’s protection, guidance and directions for the Governor of Lagos State, members of the State Executive Council, as well as Council Chairman, Council workers, traditional leaders, indigenes and residents in Igbogbo community.
The duo of Dr Abraham, a member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Igbogbo branch, and Sheikh Ishaq Folorunsho Fagba spoke respectively on the themes of the 2018 annual prayer session which were; ‘Essence of Unity’ and ‘Importance of Development’ .
The two speakers called for unity among the indigenes and residents of Igbogbo and also enjoined them to see it as a panacea for development.
Also, the speakers, while appreciating Gov. Ambode for his developmental efforts across the State, urged him to expedite action on the construction of Igbogbo-Ijede road for which hundreds of houses have been demolished for right of way.
Oba Kasali in his royal message thanked the organizers of the annual prayer event for the propagating unity and progress in Igbogbo kingdom.
“I want to sincerely thank and appreciate the organizers of this annual prayer event because they have been able to promote unity and progress among the religious bodies and the community.
“Prayer is very important in people’s lives. Whatever that is going according to plan needs prayer and when things are not also going fine, we also as a people need to pray for desired outcome.
“We have all gathered here today to pray for our community and for those at the helms of affairs that God should guide and direct them accordingly, especially our amiable governor who is doing everything possible to transform the state.
“We have all prayed for the timely completion of the Igbogbo-Oke Afa-Ijede road and so shall it be. This road that the government is embarking upon is just one of the many projects that the government planned to execute for us in Ikorodu division and Igbogbo in particular.
“Let us cooperate with the state and the local governments to bring about the desired development in our community”, Kabiyesi appealed.
Comrade Sesan Daini, the Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, in his own address thanked the residents for their supports and cooperations and sought their requests in areas they want the government to look into.
“I want to thank you all for the supports, cooperations and prayers for our governments, both at the state and council levels. This annual prayer is one of the ways you have been supporting us and I want to personally thank the entire Igbogbo people.
“We run an open-door government and we are always opened to your observations and advice. Do not hesitate to call our attention to areas you think we should work on but which we are yet to touch. We can only succeed with your support.
“We acknowledged the sacrifice some of our people have made for development to come to Igbogbo by allowing for demolition of their houses to clear way for the construction of a road of an international standard which would link Igbogbo with other parts of the division. This is just the beginning of new things in Igbogbo/Bayeku”, the Chairman stated.
The annual Igbogbo prayer event is organized by the Igbogbo Social & Economic Committee (ISEC) with supports from Oba Kasali, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Special Adviser on Housing and Olu-Omo of Igbogbo and the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA under the leadership of Comrade Sesan Daini among other eminent indigenes and residents who equally contributed to the success of the event.
