Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Oluwole Elesho, is the Agbaakin and Otunba of Ikorodu Kingdom and by that virtue, he’s a chieftain of the inner circle of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, overseeing many portfolios among which include the information management and publicity of the palace.
He was a former Commissioner for Information, Culture & Sports in Lagos State and also served as a State Labour leader at a very critical moment in the history of labour union in the state and country at large.
As a religious man, Sir Elesho is a Knight of John Wesley (KJW), the highest honour in the Methodist Church.
As a community leader, Otunba Elesho had also served as the Chairman of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and had also served in many other capacities in the Division.
In this interview with Kunle Adelabu, Founder/Publisher of THE IMPACT, at his Ibeshe home in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Sir Elesho bore his mind on rumours that the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi had contacted the deadly COVID – 19 virus with other two royal fathers, achievements in the five years reign of the monarch, upcoming by-election in the Lagos East Senatorial contest, performances of local government authorities, challenges facing lkorodu residents due to government policies and state of roads in Ikorodu among others. Excerpts:
THE IMPACT: Good afternoon Sir, thanks for the opportunity to have this session with you.
Sir Elesho: Good afternoon, Kunle.
THE IMPACT: There are rumours here and there that the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Chairman, Ikorodu Division Council of Obas & Chiefs and the permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs contacted the COVID – 19. Sir, what is the true position of Kabiyesi’s health?
Sir Elesho: 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. 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. But Kabiyesi is somebody (with due respect) that’s restless. He always wants to attend to all the visitors that come to the palace, 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 now. The pressure on him by the virtue of his office is becoming too much. Unfortunately, Kabiyesi is somebody that wants to do everything and ensure that everything is done perfectly.All these, however, affected his health.
I am aware that he felt ill and was 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 had to be attended to in the hospital. That is the truth of the matter.
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 whether anybody has ccontracted or been infected by COVID – 19 or not. But to the best of the 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 (Oba Shotobi) has been indisposed but he’s very okay now. He his hale and hearty, that is the position.
THE IMPACT: Your position confirmed our findings that Kabiyesi’s health is improving tremendously… (cuts in)
Sir Elesho: Not only that there is improvement, he is very strong. I speak with him nearly every day and the last time that I spoke with him was yesterday (Friday, July 17) at about 2 O’clock and we spoke for about 10 to 15 minutes. He is very strong and addressed me the usual way as ‘Agbaakin of the universe’, ‘Agbaakin of lkorodu Kingdom’, and we discussed. He was sick quite well but he is now okay. I don’t know anything about the COVID – 19 rumour.
THE IMPACT: How will you describe the five years reign of Oba Shotobi as the Ayangbure of lkorodu Kingdom?
Sir Elesho: Let me clear the air on his anniversary which we have been celebrating every year in the last five years. Oba Shotobi was installed on the 37th of May, 2015, and the Coronation proper where he was decorated with the beaded crown was held in August 2015. That was when he came out of Ipebi (three months seclusion) and performed necessary traditional rites. The coronation ceremony was rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Church, Ikorodu.
His reign has been very good, fruitful , eventful and acceptable to the people. No doubt, there are challenges but these are not peculiar to Ikorodu alone. We are aware of the cult boys that are killing themselves as well as robbery here and there. We are also aware of the Badoo crisis and other crimes, but overall, there has been tremendous improvement and advancement in Ikorodu. To the glory of God, things are moving forward. Within three years of his reign, we built what can be regarded as a giant ‘White House’ which is an extension of the old Ayangbure palace.
Within the last five years, we have had tremendous progressive advancement in the community which I cannot be mentioning one after the other, but the most important of them all is the peace and economic development which Kabiyesi’s reign has witnessed.
The most recent development that we are celebrating is the acceptance by the Lagos State Government to build a government house extension in lkorodu. We have such in Badagry, Epe and Lagos Island while Ikorodu is the only exception in this case. But to the glory of God, the governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, has approved the building of the government house extension in Ikorodu. The land has been acquired while the surveying and engineering work and others are going on.
Kabiyesi is championing the cause for the rehabilitation of Ipakodo – Ogolonto road and a number of other projects. He is also involved in the reconstruction of Ijede road which has commenced already, as well as the construction of Igbogbo – Igbe – Ijede and Agric – Isawo roads. The Isawo road, as it is now, is affecting the social and economic lives of the people. When the former governor directed that the road should be reconstructed, a number of houses and businesses were demolished but nothing was done on the road till he left. People in that area are suffering. Mr Editor, if you go there yourself, you will see what am talking about. It is a disaster. Kabiyesi has been talking with the governor, asking him to come and work on the road and he has given him the assurance that he is going to do that for us.
A lot of things are coming up. The last five years of Kabiyesi’s reign have been good to the glory of God, but in the life of a person, five years is just a fraction. A lot of things are coming up; lots are being work on and lots of things are going on.
THE IMPACT: People always expect so much from the government, traditional institution and others in the position of authority because of the neglect of the past. Sir, let’s look at the medium and long term programmes of the Kabiyesi, what should the people be expecting in the next 10 to 20 years of his reign?
Sir Elesho: First and foremost, we pray that God should give us long life and good health. In the next 20 years, we expect to see Ikorodu that would extend far beyond where it is now, one, in terms of infrastructural developments from government. Between now and the next five years, I expect that the Fourth Mainland Bridge would be in place. I expect that the Agric – Isawo road that would burst out at the Lagos – Ibadan express road would have been completed. We expect that between now and the next five years, Ikorodu – Shagamu road would have been totally reconstructed. Kabiyesi led some of us to engage former Governor Ambode on the Itoikin road and he gave us firm assurances that he would work on it, but then, unfortunately, he could not have the second term. We are also talking with the Federal Ministry of Works on the completion of the Ikorodu – Shagamu road. Kabiyesi has mandated a committee to liaise with the ministry to see how the road would be completed soon. We must commend the activities of Hon. Jimi Benson. He is a great facilitator of the reconstruction of that road. We are commending and praying that God will continue to strengthen him. We expect that that road would be completed within the next 12 months, particularly, the Ikorodu of Lagos State axis of the road up to Ita – Oluwo. Thereafter, we expect that the joint effort of the Lagos and Ogun States in liaising with the Federal will get the road completed up to Ijebu – Ode.
Why did I pick on the roads? It is because without good roads, economy cannot move forward. The farmer cannot bring their products to town because of bad roads. It is because of that we have high cost of living which is not peculiar to Ikorodu. It is because the roads are not there. If they are good roads, the transportation of items, goods and others to town will be less. Fuel is now N143 per litre, there is protocol on the number of passengers that vehicles can carry. Before, ‘Kabukabu’ (taxi) can carry five passengers but now, they can only carry three. It means that transport fare has to increase. The maintenance of vehicle keep running high and so also is fuel consumption and all the rest of them. If these roads are fully reconstructed, life will be easier for the people and that is what Kabiyesi has been clamouring for.
Within the last five years, Oba Shotobi has been working on security. He has established effective collaboration between the Nigeria Police force and Onyabo Vigilance Group which is the local security outfit in Ikorodu. He has made it possible for the National Security and Defense Corps (NSDC) to have an office and relocated permanently to Ikorodu. He has been working hard and very soon, we are also going to have an Immigration office in Ikorodu division where international passport will be issued. It will be sited in Igbogbo.
In the last five years, Kabiyesi and other Obas have worked to put a lot of things in place. There is a new branch of Mediation Centre in Igbogbo when the old one located at Lagos road was becoming chaotic in terms of the number of people that are going there.
I expect that in the next five years, we would have a stadium in Ikorodu. Kabiyesi is working with the government on this and I can say that with authority. Mr Gafar Bolowotan (the Director – General, Lagos State Sports Commission) was scheduled to see Kabiyesi few days ago in that respect, especially, in the area of making land available for the construction of the stadium. Thank God for the Police Barracks playing ground which has been the saving grace, otherwise, it would have been a serious trouble for sports in the division.
THE IMPACT: Sir, you made reference to the effects of the COVID – 19 protocol on the operations of ‘Kabukabu’ (taxi) and ‘Marwa’ (tricycle ) which has consequently been adversely affecting people in terms of their movement around the community. Also, the recent ban on ‘Okada’ (motorcycle) has worsened this situation and residents are really complaining… (Cuts in)
Sir Elesho: We are aware that people are complaining and we are doing everything possible to assist the masses. I am speaking on behalf of the Kabiyesi. Kabiyesi had visited the BRT terminal at the Ikorodu garage and he felt very bad with the number of people struggling everyday to board buses. Due to this, he initiated a discussion with Mr Fola Tinubu, the Managing Director of the Primero Transport Limited. Tinubu gave us assurances that a certain number of buses are going to be added to their fleet and that by the time those buses are added, there will be a great relief. But unfortunately, here we are with Coronavirus. One of the protocols of the pandemic is physical distancing and if we are to achieve that in buses, it means that we will only have one passenger occupying the space that three people used to sit. There is also no room for standing which has also compounded the problems on ground. However, I must admit that we are unaware if those buses promised have arrived and if they have been allocated to operate on Ikorodu corridor.
Another challenge is the general ban on Okada in Lagos State which I don’t agree with government on. I am now speaking for myself. The acceptability of Okada is due to massive unemployment in the country. We have many graduates riding Okadas. Even if government is going to ban its operations, it must be done in such a way that it will restrict them to the hinterland. They should be allowed to convey people from off Lagos road to Eyita, Lowa and other areas. Also, off Igbogbo to inner Igbogbo; off Ijede road to inner Ijede and other places like that. I agree that government needs to curb situations where Okada riders are competing with vehicles on the road because this is unacceptable. People are dying and sustaining terrible injuries and something has to be done. But then, we are with the general ban. What has government done to assist in ameliorating the sufferings of the people? I expect that by now, government should have made adequate arrangement for a number of ‘Korope’ (small) buses. Government should have flooded our roads with them and also makes the conditions of buying them friendlier so that a number of people can go for it to run commercial transport services. And also Keke marwa too, even though those drivers are now crazier than Okada riders that are no longer on the road. Government should make adequate arrangement with the manufacturers or importers of ‘Korope’ and ‘Keke Marwa’ through the Ministry of Transportation. They should enter into agreement with National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), other unions and individuals with interest in transportation and let there be vehicles on the road.
Another thing is that we will not have peace in Ikorodu (not a curse) until there is another carriage way in and out of Ikorodu. No matter the amount of rehabilitation that is done on the only existing road; the problem will still be there. In those days, there used to be what we called road census to determine how many vehicles ply a particular road daily but that is no longer conducted. Trailers are carrying trailers and the weighbridge that used to caution them in those days are no more there and everybody from places like Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Rivers and other places keep coming to Lagos. The Lagos – Ibadan road is in trouble too and the rehabilitation of the road is yet to be completed since it commenced about 10 years ago and this is putting more pressure on Lagos – Ikorodu road. We will continue to have same problems until government gives more attention to roads reconstruction and developments. You should be prepared to spend nothing less than three hours or more if you are going from Ikorodu to Ketu. I sympathise and emphatise with our younger ones working outside Ikorodu and go to work on daily basis. Most of them now leave Ikorodu by 4.00am and do not return until around 10.00pm.
Government should assist us by rehabilitating and reconstruct all our roads. I read on THE IMPACT that the Lagos State Government is planning to rehabilitate Ipakodo – Ogolonto road. The issue with that road has gone beyond rehabilitation. If my definition of rehabilitation is correct, it means that you want to do some palliative jobs. Enough of rehabilitation on that road, what it requires is a complete reconstruction. That is the only road assisting in reducing tension on Ayangbure – Ikorodu – Lagos road. Over 90% of users of Ipakodo – Ogolonto road are now going to Lagos through Ayangbure – Ikorodu roundabout – Lagos road and they have to contend with heavy traffic between Ayangbure and Ikorodu garage roundabout.
THE IMPACT: Where do you place the local governments in the area of intervening and cushioning the effects of Okada ban on the people and assisting them in moving around the town freely as well as assisting them in other areas of human endeavours since they are the closest to the people and we cannot be asking the state government for everything?
Sir Elesho: Well, I was somewhere sometime ago discussing and a friend just mentioned something which sounded very funny. He said that it seems government (state) has not given the local governments the mandate to go and work for the people. Personally, I do not see what the local governments are doing. What are they doing? The importance of local governments is to carry out developmental projects that are outside the operations of the state government. I don’t expect the Lagos State Government to come and repair Otunba Ayodele Elesho Avenue, Gbenga Wajero road in our estate here. We have been spending personal resources, otherwise, these roads would not have been passable any longer. I am sure that you saw sand bags on your way here. We resolved to using that to fill the potholes on the road and this is one of the things that local government should do for us. The local governments, as far as l am concerned, are not there. Something has to be done. We are calling on the state government to work on our local government authorities so that they can be of assistance to the state by providing services that are outside the area of state government’s operations.
THE IMPACT: It was a just a month and few days that late Senator Bayo Osinowo passed away and his demise has created a big vacuum that must be filled within 90 days and this means that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has about two months to organized a bye – election. In this regard, residents of Ikorodu division have been clamouring that someone from the division should be considered for the position. What is the traditional institutions, political leaders and other stakeholders in the Division doing about this?
Sir Elesho: I am in support of the clamour for Ikorodu to produce the next Senator that will represent the Lagos East Senatorial District. The only Ikorodu person that had represented the District at the Senate is Sen. Adeseye Kingsley Ogunlewe and that was between 1999 and 2003 under the Alliance for Democracy. Between that period and now, that position has been rotating between Epe and Kosofe axis, and we feel that after 17 years, it should be reverted to Ikorodu.
One problem that we are facing in our society is the prevention of even distribution of positions, facilities and offices. I am aware and read that Sen. Ashafa is clamouring to go back to the Senate. For God sake, we should be fear – minded, but l am not blaming him. He’s playing politics which is at the detriment of some other areas in the District.
Ikorodu division has personalities and highly qualified professionals and I can count many of them from my finger tips. Among them are Olusegun Abiru who aspired during the last general elections, Sunmi Odesanya, Kaoli Olusanya, Segun Ogunlewe.l am also prima facie qualified to be at the Senate, even though l am not interested for now. There is also Adebimpe Akinsola and lots of others in the Division. Let them give us the mandate to produce a person that would be acceptable to the whole of our District and we would do just that. They can be rest assured about that. We have our in- house arrangement that we can use in picking the right person to represent us. Enough of this short – changing.
We have clamoured for ‘Ikorodu for Governor’ on two or three occasions but the authorities are saying that it is not yet our turn. When will it be our turn? When will Ikorodu Division be compensated for our loyalty to the authorities? When will Ikorodu be considered because of its loyalty to the party (APC)? When will Ikorodu be compensated for the massive votes that we are given the party during every election? If the records available to me are correct, we produced the largest second votes after Alimosho. Those in authority should be fair to us and concede the Senatorial position to us. They should give us sense of belonging. We shall remain in APC because Ikorodu is 95% to 98% APC. I am a card – carrying member and we are all supporting the party. If you will recall, I was the first to raise Hon. Sanai Agunbiade’s hand for the first time in the last election at the town hall. I did that in my own right as a party leader, community leader and as a high chief in Ikorodu.
If we are not getting the Governorship position in our last three attempts, we should be compensated with the Senatorial seat.
