Kunle Adelabu
The Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, is alive, hale and hearty.
The Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom and former Commissioner for Information, Culture & Sports, Lagos State, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, revealed this in an interview with THE IMPACT on Saturday (yesterday).
He confirmed to THE IMPACT that the royal father, who was said to have contacted COVID – 19 with other two popular royal fathers in the state about two weeks ago, was actually sick but now recovering.
Oba Shotobi and the two other monarchs were said to have contacted the virus at a coronation ceremony of a new monarch that was held recently in the State.
A source, who is close to the Ayangbure palace confirmed the news to our reporter and added that the revered royal father is recovering and that he’s expected to make full recovery soon going by his response to treatment.
It was also gathered that while the other two monarchs are being treated in their respective palaces on the Island part of Lagos, the Ayangbure was hospitalized.
However, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Eleso, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom who is managing the palace information and other official duties, said that Oba Shotobi is hale, hearty and in good spirit.
While confirming that the royal father has been sick, the former Commissioner said that he does not know about the COVID – 19 rumour being peddled around.
“Let me place on record and confirm to you that Kabiyesi is very much alive, hale and hearty. That means to say that he is very strong and good” Sir Eleso said authoritatively.
“We are all human beings and being that, there are times that we will be weak, strong, sick and also when you will be well. And like every other human being, kabiyesi felt little ill and he met his doctor and he was treated”.
The Agbaakin of lkorodu Kingdom said that the restless nature of the Ayangbure was a major factor of his ill health which he said the monarch has recovered from.
“But Kabiyesi is somebody, with due respect, that is restless. He always wants to attend to all the visitors that come to the palace and that is kabiyesi for you. That is what he has been used to for over 60 years and it is very hard for him to change such nature”, he said.
“The pressure on him by the virtue of his office is becoming too much. Unfortunately, Kabiyesi is somebody that wants to do everything and also sees that everything is being done perfectly and that affects his health.
“I am aware that he felt ill and treated but yet, he was going to his office everyday to work and at a point in time, it had an effect on his health and he has to be attended to in the hospital. That is the truth of the matter”, Sir Eleso reconfirmed.
On the rumours that Oba Shotobi had contacted COVID – 19 with other two royal fathers, Sir Elesho condemned linking the sickness of people, especially those in authority, to COVID – 19 infection.
“The second aspect is the issue of COVID – 19 or no COVID – 19. I’m not a medical personnel or a doctor, hence I cannot confirm that anybody has contracted or been infected by COVID – 19 or not. But with the best information available to me, I know that he (Oba Shotobi) is sick and there is no hiding that fact.
“The problem with Nigerians these days is that any little sickness or ailment is tagged COVID – 19. He has been indisposed but very okay now. He is hale and hearty, that is the position”, he told THE IMPACT.
When told that our sources also confirmed that the royal father’s health is improving, Agbaakin added that:
“Not only there is improvement, he is very strong. I speak with him nearly every day and the last time that we spoke was yesterday (Friday) at about 2 O’clock and we spoke for about 10 to 15 minutes. He is very strong and addressed me the usual way, ‘Agbaakin of the universe, Agbaakin of ikorodu Kingdom’ and we discussed. He was sick quite well but he is now okay. I don’t know anything about COVID – 19” Sir Eleso said.
