Omoba Jokotex, ‘Prince of People’ In Royal 60th Birthday Celebration

Kunle ADELABU

It was nothing but a royal birthday celebration for Prince (Hon) Jokotex Matthew Ogunbiyi, the first Baale of Idafa Odogun in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, on Easter Monday, April, 22, 2019.

At the simple but colourful ceremony held at Ibaru -Oloko Gardens and Hotel, opposite Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu-Itoikin, ikorodu, were eminent royal personalities, politicians, community developers and business owners among many others.

The celebrant, who is said to have been born five times before he finally stayed, is a Prince from both his paternal and maternal backgrounds. He is a Prince of Oguntade Royal family of the Rademo Ruling House in Ikorodu, Ogbonyari Royal family of Anoko/Ogbonyari Ruling House of Sagamu and Ikorodu, Adekon Ruling House of Igode town, Oja Royal family, Ikorodu, Jiborisha Royal family of Emuren and Senlu Ruling House of Imota.

He is the Chairman of Ibaru-Oloko Nigeria Limited, a transport and car wash company, and Jokotex Nigeria Enterprises, an hotel and food restaurant business.

He is the Financial Secretary, Rademo Ruling House of Ikorodu, Vice President, Great Socialite Base Club, Ikorodu, Former Supervisory Councilor for Agriculture, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, and former Public Relations Officer, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS).

Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, the Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and the Chairman of the occasion, in his short speech at the event, affirmed all the encomiums, goodwill messages and honours showered on the celebrant by guests that spoke at the ceremony.

He added that, “Jokotex is a gentleman highly principled, honourable and transparent”.

Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, the Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government and PRO, IKODASS, while speaking on behalf of the socio-cultural group, stated:

“He is a man of many parts. He never and will never involve in any shaddy deal. He is always concerned about the development of Ikorodu and environs.

“He’s a political leader, grassroots man, publicist and a very good man. “

Mr Akinyele, the celebrant’s in-law, in his own remarks, stated that :

“He is a man that is in tune with modernisation . Very understandable and amiable man.

“He shares same birthday date with my own father.

“He is a very good man. I pray that God grants him many more years in good health.

“Although, he’s my in-law, he’s much more than that because he is also my father. “

Other eminent personalities at the celebration were Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Saka Nurudeen Solaja, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Prince Adewunmi  Ogunsanya, Chairman Multi –choice, Prince Bello, the Registrar, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Primate Charles Odugbesi, APC Chieftain, Hon Adeola Banjo,Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA,Prince Ogunbela, former Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon Matthew Adesanya, APC Chieftain,

Also were the traditional ruler of Imushin in Ogun State, Omoba  Sunday Ogede, the head of Lasunwon Ruling House of Ikorodu, Alhaji M.K.A Olutusin, the head of Rademo Ruling House of Ikorodu, Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, the Olori Omoba of Ikordu Kingdom, Sir Shoderu, Engr. I.K. Shonubi, the Olootu Omoba Adekan and Odogun of Ikorodu, Chief Sulaion Ogidi, the Ajiroba of Ikorodu Kingdom, Otunba Odulate, Managing Director, Alabukun oil and gas and the Fuyigbade of Ikorodu kingdom, Dr Bolaji Olukoya, Medical Director, General Hospital, Ikorodu, Chief Gbolade Dawodu Ogunbiyi, Baale Ajegunle Palako, Alhaja Amope Animashaun, the Directress Al- hajj Travels Agency, Monsuru Akinbajo, Chairman Demaab Nig Ltd and Otunba ishola Ajenomo

Also in attendance were several chiefs and traditional head of communities in Ikorodu, Igbogbo, Imota and Sagamu.