Kunle Adelabu
The Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, FCA, Olufoworesetie, has cleared the air on the indigeneship status of the acting Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr Olumide Metilelu.
Oba Agoro, a revered monarch and Chartered accountant, in a brief interview with THE IMPACT at his palace in Imota at the weekend, said that the controversy surrounding the indigeneship status of the acting Rector is unnecessary while confirming that Metilelu is not just an indigene of Imota, but that he’s also directly connected to him.
There has been controversy that the name, ‘Metilelu’, is not a Yoruba name, but the royal father, who has been on the throne of his ancestors for 27 years, explained the meaning of the name.
“The acting Rector is a bonafide son of Imota and most people that are making unfounded statements do not know what they are saying”, Oba Ranodu said.
“They are even pronouncing his name wrongly. It is “Metilelu ko le gbohun agba” (listen to what the community is saying so that you can be able to hear the voice of the elders). That is the full name and meaning of the name”, the royal father stated while explaining the meaning of the acting Rector’s surname.
“He is the son of Sikelu and Dada Alese. Dada Alese is a brother to my own grandfather. They belonged to the same father who we called Sikelu. Those saying otherwise are not informed. They don’t know what they are saying. Don’t mind them”.
Oba Agoro commended the visit of the Governing Council and the management team of the Polytechnic, stating that it was enlightening and informative.
The royal father also pledged his support for the institution.
“This is a very commendable visit by the Lagos State Polytechnic Governing Council and management team. It was an eye – opener and quite enlightened. I was able to get quality information from the statement of the Governing Council Chairman that has made me to be aware of what is expected of me and my community to make the institution greater”, Oba Agoro said.
“I am assuring them of my support as somebody who has benefited immensely from education, especially for the benefit of our people and the indigenous people in particular.
“From what they have told me today, I am going to swing into action. There is a need for stakeholders in Ikorodu division to sensitise ourselves towards contributing to LASPOTECH so that we can benefit maximally from the institution.
“We are going to ginger ourselves to make sure that that place (Lagos State Polytechnic) is greater”, Oba Agoro told THE IMPACT.
Prof. Rasheed Kola Ojijutu, Chairman of the 12th Governing Council of the Polytechnic, during the visit by the Governing Council to the Ranodu palace, had appealed to the royal father to assist them in ensuring that residents of his community and Ikorodu Division in general, take advantage of the 70% admission slots allocated to the indigene students are effectively used.
He also solicited for the support of the royal father in upgrading the Polytechnic to a University and also for other programmes of the institution.
