Recently, THE IMPACT Newspaper’s crew, led by its Founder/Reporter-in-Chief, Kunle Adelabu, engaged the First Secretary to the Lagos State Government, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a member of the Governor Advisory Council (GAC) and the Asiwaju of Igbogbo, His Eminence (Barr.) Olorunfunmi Reuben Basorun, at his home-office after marking the 25th anniversary of his installation as the ‘Asiwaju’ of Igbogbo Kingdom.
The old political war-horse, outstanding community developer, banker and lawyer, bore his mind on his Asiwaju title, development in Igbogbo and Ikorodu Division, Sanwo-Olu’s government, grooming of youths and the formation of the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group. Excepts:
THE IMPACT: Sir, since your installation as Asiwaju of lgbogbo Kingdom, you have been leading Igbogbo community and lkorodu division in general, how will you describe the development in the division politically, socially and economically?
Asiwaju Basorun: Well, development is a function of many things. In terms of human resources development, I think Ikorodu division has been trying because we have a very long list of professionals, whether in academics where we have outstanding Professors; engineering and architecture. If we go to the field of medicine, it is same thing. In the whole of Lagos state, we are the richest in terms of human resources and we will continue to develop. What I discovered is that our illiterate parents managed to give us education despite their challenges. There is no home in Ikorodu division without one or two University graduates.
We have improved in terms of road network, particular the road from Lagos to Ikorodu. When the road was constructed in 1953, it was not what we have now that we had then. Before then, we were going to Lagos by water through canoe but when that road was constructed, a lot of improvement has been achieved. I will say that it has enhanced movement from Lagos to lkorodu. Our people are accommodating those that came from Lagos to buy lands and built their own houses in township areas like Ipakodo, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Imota and Ijede. Also, in the periphery villages like Bayeku, Oreta,Ofin, Oke Eletu under the Ijede community and Odogunyan among other areas, a lot of developments have taken place.
In terms of industries, that is an area again one can’t measure to what extent we have developed. Nichemtex that is the longest here is still there. While some other industries have folded up in other areas, our own are still there. The place where Abel Abu used to operate, which is close to the Igbogbo burial ground, we now have a company that is making transformers there. Also in that same area, along Igbogbo-Ipakodo road, we have Dangote company where Dangote cement is either being produced or rebagged. If you go to Ipakodo itself, you will also find Dangote company there producing number of products. Then, we have the lkorodu Industrial Estate and other privately owned businesses which have started coming up. I am sure that by the time we finish the Agric-Isawo road that will link up to the express (Lagos –Ibadan) and Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed – Igbe road, the development across the division will be further enhanced.
What Ikorodu has not been enjoying is government involvement. The fact that our people are not in government has really shortchanged Ikorodu division a lot. Having said that, we’ll continue to pray for change in attitude of those concerned. Ikorodu became a division in 1968 and the man who pronounced it as such was Mobolaji Johnson who recently died. When he visited Ikorodu, I was there. I was working at the Central Bank of Nigeria then and on that day, all dignitaries in the division were asked to lineup to receive him on the visit. I was at the event courtesy of our late king, Oba Omolaja Ogunlewe. We shook hands with him and by the time he delivered his speech, he announced that Ikorodu , which hitherto had been part of the Old Ikeja Division, had become a division. Since that time till now, which is 51 years, what have we gotten from the government? Ogunsanya (Late Otunba Adeniran Ogunsanya) became a Commissioner through a military fiat, but when people voted and work hard to constitute a government, in terms of personalities in top government positions, Ikorodu has not been fairly treated. We have over 50 Permanent Secretaries in the State but Ikorodu Division, comprising Ikorodu, Imota, Ijede, Igbogbo and others, but only two are from division. We have been trying to convince them to see the need to appreciate Ikorodu’s contributions to the state.
In the cabinet that was just set up, we have 35 executive members, both Commissioners and Special Advisers, but Ikorodu have only one Commissioner and one Special Adviser. Not that we kept quiet but some of us have expressed our positions privately to those in charge. We want to beg them to look at us with favour. When Jakande (the first civilian governor in the State) won election, he distributed the cabinet positions among the five divisions in the state. He gave Epe two positions – one Ganiyu Osineye from Eredo and Sanu Shobowale from Agbowa. Jakande, who created two councils out of Ikorodu Division, namely Ikorodu Local Government and Irepodun Local Government which was made up of Igbogbo, Ijede and Imota, gave Ikorodu two members in his cabinet, Femi Alokolaro and my humble self as the Secretary to the State Government. Go to Badagry division, D.S. Hundeyin from Badagry town was Commissioner and Richard from Ojo too. Come to Lagos Division, Alabi Masha, Ganiyu Dawodu and Olawale Idris. The biggest Division then which still maintains the status is Ikeja. Late Oba Hamzat, was then the Commissioner for Transportation representing Mushin; from Agege was Ganiu Ajimotopon and from Shomolu was Phillip Bangbero; from Isolo was Sola Agbabiaka who was the Commissioner for Finance and Olusegun Coker representing Ikeja as the Commissioner for Works. That was how the composition of the cabinet was spread.
Even if they cannot use 35 by 5 format in distributing members of the cabinet, they should make four members each represent each of the divisions to give Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry senses of belonging which will only amount to 12 out of the 35 cabinet members. That is not too much. We are using your medium to appeal that they should look at Ikorodu division with favour in terms of government patronage. We have the human resources. As I said earlier, mention that field that Ikorodu division is not well represented, even in journalism. We have tried in terms of development and we hope that we will develop more.
IMPACT: Let’s look at your Asiwaju honorary chieftaincy title which was bestowed on you 25 years ago. Sir, what is the significance of the title and in what ways have you used it to impact on Igbogbo community?
Asiwaju Basorun. Asiwaju is the leader of the community. It was the former Kabiyesi (Late Oba Johnson Fatola) that approached me over the title. At first, I refused but we were dialoguing. He said that he was honouring me and that he has secured approval for the title from the Ministry and when he mentioned that the title is ‘Asiwaju’, I accepted it because I knew what that meant. At that time, whenever anybody or a body develop an idea or form a group, they always come to make me the Secretary. Mention them, whether it is the market women, co-operative, Cassava grower or CDA or anything that will bring development, just mention it. In the process, I saw the Asiwaju title as something that will further make me put my services at the disposal of the community and I have been doing that since then.
I want to cite one instance that impressed me. When we were building the Adeboruwa pavilion, it got to a level that it was stopped and I invited six members of this community, one of them is now the chairman of Igbogbo Development Association, Dr Tunde Ogunlaja, a private medical practitioner. Others are former Head of Service, Prince Segun Ogunlewe, Hon Adebimpe Akinsola who was then in the House of Assembly, one of our senior brothers, Tunji Odusanya and two others. I told them that we have to complete the pavilion. It was during Igbogbo Day celebration and before we left for the grand finale of the community day celebration that day, we made pledges on how to complete the pavilion. That was how we shared the responsibilities of completing it and it was commissioned in 2013 and handed it over to the community. After its commissioning, there was no chair to use at the pavilion and that was what prompted me to donate five dozens of plastic chairs. The old chair that Kabiyesi was sitting on at the palace was donated with the proceed from Igbogbo Day in 1993 and each time that I enter the palace, I always feel ashamed that it’s still the same old chair that we still have in the palace. It’s an eyesore. So, it’s commemoration of my 25th anniversary as Asiwaju of Igbogbo, I feel the need to fill these two gaps – chairs for the Adeboruwa palace and the pavilion. I started planning for the anniversary over 4 months ago and the kabiyesi’s chairs took 2 months to be completed. It was specifically built for the palace. The maker happens to be a furniture teacher in one of these higher institutions in Yaba. So, since I have become Asiwaju and embraced it, I have been trying my best to render services to my community but not alone. There are several things that I have also done for Igbogbo with the cooperation of others too. I have been the facilitator or encourager, if I may use the word.
IMPACT: Sir, we are aware that Mr Sanwo-Olu has promised to complete the two major roads in Ikorodu that were abandoned by the previous administration, but residents of Igbogbo and Agric communities are still clamouring for payment of compensation for their houses that were demolished by the government to create right of way for the roads. As a leader, what do you think the government can do to appease these people?
Asiwaju Basorun: When the road construction started and we were asked to talk to our people, we indeed told them that it was going to be pain and gain, but unfortunately, the gain is not coming neither by constructing the road or by payment of compensation to those affected. But the man in the saddle now has not hidden the fact that funds are not available to do many things. I believe with time, he’s going to start paying the compensation. I want to appeal to residents affected through this source to bear with this new government. I have also tried to do some findings about the award of the contract for the road, one peculiar thing that I saw is that nobody told us the value of the contract, neither for Igbogbo nor Agric – Isawo road construction. They are still looking at the cost implications and by the time they settled this, our governor is ready to award the contract either to the former contractor or new one. I want appeal to our people to let our slogan, “pain and gain”, remain and l am sure that we will laugh at the end of the day.
IMPACT: Sir, let’s look at the youths in Igbogbo and Ikorodu Division generally, are they being encouraged and helped to assume the mantle of leadership?
Asiwaju Basorun: (searched for and donned the cap he was presented at the 2nd edition of the Ikorodu Division Youth Conference). I have been encouraging our youths and anytime they call me for an event, you will always find me there. I always tell them that aside the fact that I worked at the Central Bank 40 years ago, I got my first public appointment at the age of 41 (pointed to a group photograph with late TOS Benson and others which he took at the age of 41). Youths must strive and work hard in order to make any gain. We have been encouraging them and we are not relenting. On October 1 this year, I attended a youth programme here (Adeboruwa palace in Igbogbo) and another one at the Ikorodu Town hall. Anywhere they call me, I always want to be there to tell them (the youths) that the secret of becoming a leader is not by making too much noise but through hard work, believe in one’s self, commitment and a bit of courage because people will discourage you. I joined Central Bank as a Clerk with School Certificate and not that I had a degree but while with the bank, I became a Chartered Banker and Secretary and I also read Business Administration in University of Lagos. It was when I left government in 1984 and as part of the need to train and retrain myself that I became a lawyer. I started reading law in 1987. I am not saying that they should get degrees here and there, but they must not relent in their efforts and must equipped themselves to face challenges that youth must face in other to grow. If you are not equipped, nobody will recognize you. You must be seen as serious-minded. One of those people that we went to get trained is Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (pointing to his picture in his office). He was my leader since 1963 and still remains my leader till date. We communicate often. He has 3Cs – courage, commitment and consistent. Whatever he says, that’s what he will do. He puts all his zeal into it. We grew through him and saw senses in his leadership. We went through many trainings and not all of us have BSC or degrees. It’s not by degree but serious management and strategic planning and training. Our youths need to get themselves trained and should always plan ahead and soft pedal in their condemnation of their elders because they are still going to grow. When Hon. SOB Agunbiade started (representing Ikorodu), he was in his early 40s, but he’s now 55 which means he’s no longer a youth again.
IMPACT: Sir, the political firmament of Ikorodu is really not very clear to the people. There seems to be no clear cut political direction after the last general elections and appointment into the state cabinet (cuts in) .
Asiwaju Basorun: Are you referring to political parties or the party controlling the government?
IMPACT: I am referring to politics generally in the division, especially that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which is controlling the government in the State. Sir, what do you want to say about Ikorodu Division’s political direction?
Asiwaju Basorun: That is simple, I said earlier that we have not been fairly treated at the state level. In Ikorodu division, meeting of our party (leaders) is usually held at Prince Abiodun Ogunleye’s house. We call it Apex meeting and that is where you will find leaders of substance who always attend the meeting. There was a time that a publication, titled, “The sins of our fathers”, was in circulation. After that publication, some people pulled out of the meeting and those of us who remained there tried to set up committees to reconcile those that were aggrieved and everybody came back and we started working together. Whoever leaves that place now is a dissident as far as l am concern because some people decided after one appointment or another issue to go and start holding separate meeting headed by one of us who cannot, look me in the face and tell me sincerely that both Ogunleye (Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor) and I have not treated others fairly.
Immediately after the elections, all of us, including the dissidents that are now holding separate meetings, organized a prayer session and gave ourselves three days to fast and pray. It was three days with Christians and Muslim Clerics and Olombas. They all came to pray with us that Ikorodu must not continue to suffer and that those of us in the corridor of power should be one. Unfortunately, some of us have gone against what we pray for. They will tell you a story about the reason they have pulled out. But I personally did not know why. Some of us are still in politics because we still have the vigour to move around. We are in it because of people like you and others. We want to be sure that the legacy you are taking over from us will be sustained to make Ikorodu shine in glory. Let those who cannot see us working together change their minds. We are in the same party and we don’t have to start fighting. I told one of them on the phone that if he’s a dissident, he doesn’t attend meetings. We have gotten to a point when we need to start hitting the nail on the head so that people will know how to start behaving as grownups. They don’t know that when we join the party, we are to serve the community which is bigger than any of us. Whatever we decide to better the community, we must uphold it and not use small issue in the name of a group. Which group? We will continue to pray for Ikorodu. If I die today, ‘mi o se ku o” (I have not died prematurely) but I am not going to die yet because I still have a lot of things to do and l still want to contribute to my community. The likes of Allison, S.O. Gbadamosi, T.O.S. Benson and Adeniran Ogunsanya were there before and we are there today. Whether some people like it or not, that is the position today. We want success for Ikorodu and we are achieving that. Till date, we still have people of substance attending meetings at Ogunleye’s house. We have 52 members as at last count and among them are retired Heads of Service, retired Commissioners, former Deputy Governor, retired Permanent Secretaries and many more. Let the dissidents sit down and do a bit of rethink and let us work as a team in the interest of this community.
IMPACT: Sir, Ikorodu Division Resource Group is one of many initiatives that you pioneered. What can you tell us about its formation and objectives?
Asiwaju Basorun: The group was a product of a meeting that I held with the former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, where I discussed about the appointment of the Vice Chancellor for the Lagos State University then. I told him that out of the six Professors that took part in the interview, three were from Ikorodu. But then, the governor had many advisers, and he was being given the impression that the man that was picked then who is from Ogun State, Folabi Olumde, was from Lagos. He now advised that I should gathered our resourceful people in Ikrodu together since we have many of them. Although, he didn’t ask us to form any orgaisation but when I called them, people like Late Professor Adegboola who was the first chairman, Prof Sanni, Prof. Kunle Wahab, Prof. Nimbe Adedipe, Dr Osinowo (who later became a Professor), Oye Solebo, Salisu Alogba and Late Musediq Alogba. Those last three people were my associates politically and when I told them what Jakande discussed with me, they believed me and on the 15th of July 1983, the group was formed and we set objectives that first, the town hall project, which was on with standing pillars, must be completed and the second objective was to set up committees to look into what to do with our educational system which was bad. Several other objectives were added later. That was how we started the group. In 1994, the town hall was commissioned and everybody was happy. Since then, the place has been improving. The location of the edifice used to be the field where we normally do Empire Day for the Colonial master. Today, the place is beyond that and l am so happy. Whatever are the hidden gods of Ikorodu, they have blessed that place. It is a pride for the Ikorodu people. That was the number one achievement of the Resource Group. I was the second chairman of the group between 1986 and 1988 and there have been several others thereafter. Till date, I still participate in the programmes and activities of the group and pay my annual subscription because it is a group that I believe in. Then, we were writing on a plain paper, it was Segun Ogunbunmi, who passed on few months ago, that designed the group’s logo. Whatever anybody contributes to the development of a community does not go unacknowledged. One of my most adorable personalities is Winston Churchill and one of his sayings that I like is, “The mark of a great man is to have handled events in his lifetime so that the course of events after him will always have recourse to him”. They called him the ‘Man of the Century”. He won the World War for Britain and contested election but he lost and eventually won and he made another statement that, “Politicians will rise, fall and rise again”. So, if any politician is not doing well, such should not be discouraged.
