Kunle ADELABU
-Urges Gov Ambode, Tinubu to fulfill late Oba’s wish
A major step in increasing Ikorodu’s tourism value was revealed recently when Olori Muyibat Oyefusi, the widow of the late Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom and former Permanent Vice Chairman of Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba (Dr) Salaudeen Afolabi Adekoya Oyefusi, CON, revealed that her husband had offered his sprawling multi-million naira mansion, popularly known as Royal Castle of Mercy, to the Lagos State Government to be turned into Museum, Library and cinema while he was alive.
The structure, which is an architectural masterpiece located at Lowa, Ikorodu, housed the late monarch until his demise in 2014.
The castle was reconstructed after the original structure was gutted by fire.
Olori Muyibat, who is fondly known and called, ‘The most glamourous queen of our time’, while speaking on behalf of the family during a press conference organized to herald the inaugural memorial lecture in honour of the revered monarch, stated that her late husband had offered the structure on lease to the state government before his demise.
She urged the Lagos State Government to take over the building in fulfillment of the promise made by the late traditional ruler to donate it for the use of the people.
“During the regime of Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my late husband visited the governor, asking him to take over his royal castle after his death and turn it into a library, museum and a cinema for the people of Ikorodu because the community lacks those facilities.
“He made the same visit during the tenure of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, asking him to do the same after his demise. But since his demise, nothing has been done concerning his intent to have this castle turned to his wish”.
“He repeated the same thing when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu visited us in England that he was offering the property on lease to the government to use it for those three purposes but since then, we have not heard anything.
Olori Muyibat then appealed to the incumbent governor whose government is pursuing tourism development with vigor and every sense of seriousness to reconsider the late Oba’s wish.
“We are still waiting on the government especially the incumbent and Asiwaju Tinubu to do something about this.
While appealing to the government to take-over the structure, she stated that the structure would give the state and Ikorodu a befitting museum and library while the hall, which is within the premises of the mansion, would serve the cinema purpose.
Otunba Fatai Olukoga, a former Special Adviser on Education, while speaking on the stated that the proposal was considered by the administration of Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, as the governor of Lagos State
“The request was considered by the administration of Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and I believe that Gov. Ambode would be willing to consider the proposal too if commissioners for chieftaincy and Tourism could generate a memo to the council for deliberation”
