Kunle Adelabu
Just like the way Yoruba people in the ancient days used to welcome back their loved and conquering Kings who returned victorious from battles, residents of Isiwu community, which host the headquarters of the Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria, on Monday, August 24, 2020, trooped out in their hundreds to welcome their new monarch, Oba Olukayode David Raji Balogun who received his Staff of Office and other paraphernalia of office from the Lagos State Government the same day.
The carnival-like arrival of the new Eweye of Isiu in the town could best be described as the return of a warlord from the war front, considering his 14 years wait to ascend his ancestral throne after emerging as the Oba-elect, due to protracted family and community squabbles.
Residents were seen trooping out from their homes to join the crowd that had been waiting anxiously at the main entry of the town to receive their new king . They danced, shout and sang to express their joy and happiness when Oba Balogun finally arrived in their midst.
Motorcycle riders were also not left out of the celebration as some of them demonstrated their expertise by engaging in nerve-racking acrobatic display to admiration of the elated residents.
THE IMPACT gathered that the journey to the official installation of Oba Balogun begun late Sunday (August 23) night when few stakeholders, including the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi who reportedly played a major role in the emergence of the new Eweye of Isiwu, received the news from the seat of power in Alausa, Ikeja, about the presentation of Staff of Office and certificate to the new Oba the following day.
As early as 5am the following morning (Monday 24), Oba Balogun, his two wives and few family members and stakeholders in Isiwu started arriving the Ayangbure palace in lkorodu in readiness to move to Alausa for the presentation ceremony.
While presenting the long – awaited Staff of Office and certificate of recognition to the new Eweye, the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed, congratulated him on his auspicious ascension of his ancestral throne.
With the presentation ceremony, Oba Balogun effectively placed Isiwu on the government’s record as a recognised traditional town and put paid to the feud that adversely affected the ancient town and prevented development for many decades.
Oba Balogun, who was also crowned at the presentation ceremony by a traditionalist, emerged from the conference hall of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs in full royal regalia to the arousing shout of “Kabiyesi ooo” by his members of his entourage and officials of the Ministry and immediately walked majestically to the meeting hall of the Council of traditional Obas and Chiefs in Lagos where he had a brief photograph session with his family members and well – wishers.
At the presentation ceremony were the Chairmen of the Ikorodu North and Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Areas, Hon. Adeola Banjo and Builder Sesan Daini respectively.
After the presentation ceremony, Oba Balogun and his entourage headed back to the Ayangbure palace where they were welcomed with the traditional royal (Gbedu) drum.
High profile representatives from all Obas in Ikorodu division were also present at the Ayangbure palace to welcome the new King and show support for his reign.
During the about two hours programme at the Ayangbure palace, which was mainly characterized by prayers, His Royal Majesties, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, and Oba Adeoriyomi Akeem Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin, called in to offer prayers and wish the new Eweye of Isiu a peaceful and progressive reign.
The First Class Royal fathers also welcomed Oba Balogun to their midst.
A long convoy, led by the patrol vehicle of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, afterwards accompanied the new Oba to Isiwu. The convoy also had the presence Staff of offices from five palaces across Ikorodu Division and high profile traditional chiefs and Baales from Ikorodu, Igbogbo, Imota, Ipakodo, Ijede, Ibeshe and Egbin.
When the convoy got to Aleke, a large crowd that was waiting to welcome the monarch intercepted the jeep conveying him as the convoy was forced to wait for some minutes to enable the Oba to acknowledge the cheers and homage by the crowd.
At the Isiwu junction, hundreds of residents were already gathered by the time the long convoy got to scene and they insisted that the new Oba step out of the vehicle and walk triumphantly into the ancient town.
However, Oba Balogun’s entry into the town was not only historic, but also carnival-like as a mammoth crowd of family members, well – wishers and residents trooped out enmasse to express their joy over the eventual installation of first recognized traditional ruler since the creation of Isiwu town.
Many of the residents told our reporter that they were jubilating because they never thought that they would witness the crowning of an Oba in Isiwu in their life time, thus, the need to savour the occasion which described as memorable, historic and landmark in the annals of Isiwu traditional history.
On entering Isiwu, the first point of call for Oba Balogun was his family house before stopping over at his late father’s house.
The procession also had a brief stop over at the home of the former Oba – elect, Prince Oladeinde who was unable to get government approval before his demise.
The procession later berthed at the Isiwu town hall where a brief reception was held for the new monarch.
The Chairman of the Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Adeola Banjo speaking with THE IMPACT described the development as an honour and privilege.
He added that the emergence of the monarch will bring development to Isiwu.
“We feel honour and privileged for the emergence of a traditional ruler in Isiwu during our administration. This is another day and reason for us to thank God because He has blessed Isiwu with a King. We give glory to His name.
“You know that once we have head in a system, every other parts will function well. We are expecting the situation in the town to be back to normal and bring about development. I am sure that we will start experiencing normal way of life soon”, Hon. Banjo said.
Prophet (Prince) Olusoji Emmanuel Ogunbela, the head of the Agboogba Royal family, described the day as the happiest day in his life.
“Since I was born to this town, today is my happiest day in the history of this kingdom. Let me say that for the past three hundred years that this town has been in existence, there has never been an Oba. The one we had before was not recognized, but thank God that this new Oba has been approved and recognised by the Lagos state government”, the head of the royal family said.
“I expect that progress will take place and I believe that the new Oba is a man of action. Within few months from now, you will see Isiwu in a new dimension”.
Alhaji Prince Issa Sulaimon Abiodun Babatunde, the Secretary of Agboogba Royal Family and Coordinator of the Coronation Committee, also speaking with our reporter, said:
“I feel elated but first of all, we give thanks to God. After all the ups and downs and looking at the journey so far, we thank God and we thank all the royal fathers of lkorodu division, particularly the Ayangburen of lkorodu for his support. He really stood by us. Also, the Ranodu of lmota, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, the Obateru of Egbin and all the Lisas, Baales and other traditional chiefs in Ikorodu division, we really appreciate them”, he said thankfully.
The Olootu (head) of the Onafoyin Royal Family, Alhaji Waheed Bintu Onayemi also described the occasion as historic and a development that will bring many other positive developments to Isiwu.
Lady Evangelist Olushola Arowolo, the senior sister to the new monarch, while also speaking with THE IMPACT during the procession, expressed her gratitude to God for the installation of her brother as the new Oba in Isiwu.
“The entire lsiwu town and l are very grateful to the Lord for this historic development. We are indeed very grateful for today “, she said.
Expressing her expectations from the new King, she said:
“Well, we expect many things from him, especially in this isiwu town. We want him to facilitate many things because we don’t have anything in Isiwu. We don’t have anyone before now to take our case to the government, but now that we have our own traditional ruler, we want him to be our link to the government.
“We don’t have good road, no bank, no electricity, but I am sure that he will see to all these and ensure that we have progress in Isiwu”, she assured.
Mrs Odunbo Monsurat, a teacher and Princess of Isiwu who was part of the procession, while speaking with THE IMPACT , said that the installation ceremony was a dream come true for the ancient Isiwu community.
“I feel good, happy and honoured. I don’t know how to express myself because from since the time I was young, my father always bring us to Isiwu to celebrate Ileya festival and always tell me that one day, someone would be crowned as Oba of Isiwu.
“Today, we are all happy because my father’s dream has been realised, even though he’s not alive. I am happy that I am part of this story”, she said while expressing her fulfillment over the historic development.
“I am proud of this and we give all the glory to God Almighty”.
She stated that the emergence of the Oba is expected to impact positively on Isiwu.
“I want the new monarch to use his good office to bring development to the town. We want people to know that Isiwu has come to stay and we want all the things that will make it to be developed as a community in terms of publicity, good governance and infrastructure to be in place so that everybody will recognise us as part of the larger Ikorodu Division and greater Lagos state”, she said.
