Ikorodu Clamours For Otunba Abiru’s Return As IKODASS Chairman

-Stakeholders to prevail on him to reconsider step not to run again

Kunle ADELABU

Pressures have continued to mount on the chairman of the Ikorodu-Oga Development Assocation (IKODASS) and the former Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru to re-contest for the association’s chairmanship for the second term.

Promoters of the agenda tagged, ‘#BringBackAbiru4SecondTerm’, hinged their campaign and supports for Otunba Abiru on what they termed as laudable and unprecedented achievements recorded by the association in the last two years under his exemplary leadership.

At a press conference held at the IKODASS secretariat located at the Ikorodu Town hall on Thursday, April 18, 2019, the promoters called on other major stakeholders in the community to join hand with them prevailing on Otunba Abiru to accept the call to lead the socio-cultural association for another two years.

The representative of the group, Comrade Kehinde Okeowo, while speaking at the press briefing, commended interests shown by other aspirants but stated that the outstanding performance of Otunba Abiru stood him out of the lot.

“While this is a welcome development and a positive indication among Ikorodu sons and daughters to serve their community in various capacities, our group, POSITIVE THINKERS, has taken keen interest in the candidates jostling for the Chairmanship of our great association and we are concerned about the future of IKODASS. This is in recognition of the fact that the burden of performance is laced on the leader of an organization, and in this case, the IKODASS Chairman.

“As Positive Thinkers, we have consulted widely with the traditional institution, Market Men and Women, Social Clubs, Trade associations, Youth groups and other IKODASS stakeholders and the general consensus among them is that because IKODASS has witnessed unprecedented transformations under the visionary and pragmatic leadership of Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru in the last two years, there is need to give him the opportunity to consolidate on his achievements by serving a second term in office.

She listed some of the unprecedented achievements of Otunba Abiru as IKODASS chairman among which are:

“Rebranding and re-positioning of IKODASS and Ikorodu Oga Day celebrations, unprecedented declaration of N3.5M and N4.250M as proceeds from the sales of Ikorodu-Oga Day ankara in 2017 and 2018 respectively and Introduction of Ikorodu Oga Day raffle ticket which witnessed the winning of a Toyota Corolla car by an indigene.

“Refurbishment of IKODASS Secretariat office and conference room, introduction of innovative programmes like Ikorodu Economic Summit, Ikorodu Trade Fair, Made-in-Ikorodu Marketplace Directory as well as Transparent and Pragmatic Leadership among many others”.

Comrade Okeowo, who stated that the constitution of the association allows for second term for serving executives, added that they had called the press conference to call on the traditional ruler of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, and other major stakeholders to prevail on Otunba Abiru “not to abandon the ship he has successfully captained in the last two years in the middle of the deep sea”.

She stated that his second coming would consolidate on the achievements made so far.

“We believe that with Abiru’s second coming as IKODASS Chairman, we would have succeeded in consolidating on the solid foundations laid by successive IKODASS past Chairmen, particularly Otunba Abiru himself, and thereby, guaranteeing the continuous growth and development of our collective heritage and sustaining the improved image of IKODASS as a pride of all and sundry.

The group also stated that lack of consolidation is accounted for the stunted growth experienced by the association before the emergence of Otunba Abiru.

“It is important to stress that, a lack of consolidation of achievements by past IKODASS Chairmen was responsible for the stunted growth and development of IKODASS and our annual Ikorodu-Oga Day celebrations. Therefore, we declare that we need Abiru for Stability, Consolidation and Continuity in IKODASS”.

Also speaking at the event, Alhaja Taofeekat Allison, the Iyaloja-General, Ikorodu Division, called on representatives of all clubs and associations in Ikorodu to meet with Otunba Abiru at home to prevail on him to lead the association for another term.

Chief M. J. Odusoga, the Chairman, Council of Baales in Ikorodu Local Government and the Baale of Omitoro community, in his own contribution, stated that the winning team should be allowed to continue.

He also commended the association under Otunba Abiru’s leadership for its laudable achievements in two years.

The Iyaloja of Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, stated that IKODASS, under Abiru’s leadership, has been a different association.

She equally opined that major stakeholders should be involved in making him to reconsider his decision on running for a second term.

Mr Lanre Adebogun, Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN), Ikorodu chapter, in his own remarks, also attested that IKODASS’ achievements under Abiru’s leadership in the last two years have been unprecedented.

While supporting the return of Abiru for a second term, the RTEAN Chairman stated that IKODASS chairman’s administration is inclusive in nature.

Chief Oyeleye Oduniyi, in his own remarks, commended Otunba Abiru’s administration of the association for transparency and accountability.

“Before the emergence of Abiru’s administration, which declared N3.5m and N4.3m as proceeds from the sales of Ikorodu-Oga Day Ankara in the last two years, what past administrations were used to declaring was N80, 000.

“He has brought sanity into the system and it will be wickedness on his part to abandon IKODASS at this moment.

“We need him and his team to continue the developmental projects in Ikorodu”, he stated.

Alhaji Fatai Kolawole, the Deputy Chairman, IKODASS, also speaking, called on stakeholders in Ikorodu to call those working against the interest of the association to order.

“They are creating fears and unnecessary tension which my ‘oga’ (Otunba Abiru) is not inclined to. I have always told him not to bother about them. “

“Our executive council members are in harmony and we are ready to continue with the good work with the support of the Kabiyesi and entire people of Ikorodu who all have been supporting us”, he stated.

Kunle Bada, the Secretary of Positive Thinkers, while also commenting, stated that the group has examined all those jostling for the Chairmanship position of IKODASS and they found Abiru outstanding.

He, therefore, pleaded that the entire community must join hands with them to bring him (Abiru) back as chairman to stabilize and consolidate on his achievements.

The IKODASS election is slated for May 1 at the Ikorodu town hall.