Wale Jagun & Kunle Adelabu
-New monarch calls for cooperation, support for development
-Obas in Lagos pledge support
The Isiwu community came alive on Thursday, October 15, 2020, as an unprecedented crowd converged on the ancient town to witness the historic traditional crowning of a new monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olukayode David Raji, Olugbade II, the Eweye of lsiwu.
Oba Raji on the day stepped out of ‘Ipebi’ (traditional place of seclusion) where he was for several weeks to the admiration of hundreds of Isiwu people, many of whom have not witnessed such historic event taken place in the town before.
The new monarch was presented with the Staff of Office and Certificate of Recognition by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed, on behalf of the Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, August 24, 2020.
His recognition by the government brought to an end his 14 years struggle for the Obaship throne following his selection as Oba – elect.
After performing necessary rites, Oba Raji left ‘Ipebi’ situated in the heart of Isiwu community around 10.00am in the company of hundreds of traditionalists, royal family members, indigenes (many of whom came back to the ancient community to witness the historic coronation event), non – indigenes and guests, to pray and pay homage at various important shrines and traditional places in the community.
The first point of call was monarch’s father’s house and thereafter to the Onafoyin’s house (source of the royal family in Isiwu) and then to the house of the first Olumale Oro (home of the first Chief priest of Oro cult in Isiwu).
Other places visited by Oba Raji were Itun – Oloja, Laro, Ogun ijasi, last Baale Ogunbela’s house, late Oba – elect Jimoh Oladeinde’s house and the house of Oba Raji’s great grandfather’s house.
The monarch later returned to Ipebi to perform other rites after which he changed into royal regalia with the traditional beaded crown.
The new monarch stepped out of ‘Ipebi’ with His Royal Majesty Oba (Bldr) Asunmo Ganiyu Aderibigbe Balogun, Jamade 1, the Paramount Ruler of Odo – Ayandelu, and other Isiwu chieftains to conferred his first two chieftaincy titles on Miss Opeyemi Raji, his ‘Lika’ (guarding angel) as Bobagunte of Isiwu, and another lady, Rukkie Raji as ‘Bobagunwa’ of Isiwu respectively.
After dancing to the traditional royal drums (Gbedu), Oba Raji and the crowd again embarked on a procession to the ‘Esu’ shrine and returned to the temporary palace for another round of rites.
The Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. SOB Agunbiade, was among the first set of dignitaries to pay the new monarch homage.
At the venue of the coronation ceremony held at the open ground of the LG. Primary School, Isiwu, were members of royal families, chieftaincy families, groups and associations who were seated under canopies which had banners that carried congratulatory messages for the new monarch while music were blaring from different directions.
Among the royal fathers that graced the coronation party are the Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Chairman, Ikorodu Division Council of Obas and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi who arrived the venue in the company of the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Bashir Sotomwa and their Oloris and chiefs.
Also in attendance were His Royal Majesties, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and Oba Akeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin among others
The new monarch, Oba David Raji, in his address, acknowledged the supremacy of God and thanked the Lagos State Governor and traditional rulers whom he said assisted him in emerging as Eweye of Isiwu.
He also thanked the residents of Isiwu community for standing by him all through his struggles for the Eweye stool.
“I thank God Almighty and the people of Isiwu, both young and old, indigenes and non – indigenes, for standing by me.
“It is God who stood by me after a good fourteen years of struggling for the throne. It wasn’t easy. I thank our Governor, Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo – Olu, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr Wale Ahmed. I thank all the directors that are in the ministry and I thank all the kings in Lagos.
“There has never been any king in Isiwu for over 300 years, but we thank you for answering our prayers and I also appreciate all the families in Isiwu, both indigenes and non – indigenes, for standing by me.
“Most importantly, there are some kings that are here today that God used for the Isiwu kingdom. I thank them all, most especially, the Ayangburen of lkorodu His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Sotobi, the Ranodu of Imota, HRM Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Adeboruwa of lgbogbo, HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Obateru of Egbinland,HRM Oba Akeem Oyebo, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Bashir Sotonmwa, and many more”, he said appreciatively.
“Without their support, today’s event won’t have been possible. I also thank my best friend, Oba Asunmo Balogun, Jamade I, the Alayandelu of Odo Ayandelu.
“We both went to school in Imota and if I had been told earlier that we will both be crowned kings, I would not have believed it. During that time, there was no light, we used lanterns to move around at night. We are members of the 1979/809 set and God has destined us to become Kings.
“I started the process of Obaship before Alayandelu, but he became a King before me. There are also some of our other friends that are also making plans to be installed as Obas in their respective towns and I pray that their desire in that regard will come to pass”.
While recalling the challenges he faced during his 14 years struggles for throne before emerging as the Oba-elect, Oba Raji added that he is ready to practice an open – door policy and called for contributions from residents of the community in developing Isiwu.
“I have faced many challenges since I was presented with the Staff of Office, but the people of Isiwu stood by me. I thank you very much. What God has done cannot be undone”.
While stating that he holds no grudge against anyone, Oba Balogun charged residents of the town not to fight one another but preach peace and good neighbourliness.
He added that his doors are always open for every member of the community to contribute to the development of the town.
“I am a peacekeeping man and my doors are always open. I will welcome contributions from everybody so that Isiwu too can be as big as Ikorodu in no time”.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, in his royal remarks at the event, acknowledged God as the one that made the coronation possible.
He rejoiced with the Isiwu people for the opportunity of having a King to rule over the land and also thanked them for standing by Oba Raji whom he described as a chosen monarch.
“Isiwu people waited for a long time for this to happen. Indeed, you deserve to rejoice and also thank God for the history that has been made today”.
He appealed to royal families and residents of the town to embrace peace and eschew violence which, according to him, will do no good to the town, adding that God will touch those that are still aggrieved
He charged all sons and daughters and residents to work with the new monarch towards making the ancient town bigger and prosperous for the benefit of everyone.
The Chairman, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, Hon. Adeola Banjo, in his speech, described Oba Raji as a strong willed leader who stood firm to achieve his aim in the face of challenges.
“Kabiyesi, I am bold to say that you are a bold leader. It takes a strong willed and determined man to keep an eye on a particular ball for almost two decades. Not too many of us can do that and that is a major quality of a leader.
“A leader must be determined and firm in his resolution which is what you have displayed and that is why we are all gathered here today to celebrate your tenacity, sense of purpose and above all, your love for Isiwu.
“In the face of tribulations and challenges, you stood your ground. You paid the price to break the age – long jinx of Isiwu Kingdom without a king.
“I know that you have done this because of your love for your town and all praises to God that your efforts have been crowned by God Almighty and man”.
Hon. Banjo thanked the Governor of Lagos State for approving the choice of Isiwu people for the Eweye stool and also thanked the royal fathers in Ikorodu for their support.
“I want to seize this medium to congratulate and thank the hardworking Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for listening to our cry. The sons and daughters of Isiwu are eternally thankful to your fatherly support and leadership disposition in making today a reality.
“It gives me great joy to be a major player in the making of this history. Our father, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Ajibade Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota and all other kings in lkorodu division, played a role in the realization of this dream.
“I remember that it was while I was serving as the Executive Secretary that I wrote a letter that a king has been unanimously elected for Isiwu land. It gives me a great joy to be alive in good health and serving as the Executive Chairman on this day of the coronation.
While calling on the people to allow peace to reign in the community, Hon. Banjo also called on any aggrieved person to channel his or her grievances through normal process.
“Now we have a King. History has been made. It is our prayer that progress, development, mercy, childbirth and peace shall reign supreme in Isiwu land. Let me use this opportunity to announce that Kabiyesi is a peace ambassador. He has said it repeatedly that he is a peace loving man. I urge us all to embrace peace and love in the spirit of unity.
“For anybody that has any grievance, please, make sure you channel your complaint through the right channels without having to cause unrest within the Kingdom. We want peace. Our King is a peaceful person and this is a quality all his subjects would have to emulate.
Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, speaking with THE IMPACT at the event, described the new Oba as a great addition to the traditional system in lkorodu division .
He called for support from all and sundry in the community to make the new monarch’s reign to be successful while he wished him well.
“May his reign in Isiwu brings about prosperity; development and new dawn in Isiwu community as he mounts the throne of his forebears today”, Oba Kasali prayed.
Oba (Builder) Aderibigbe Balogun, the paramount ruler Odo – Ayandelu Kingdom in Ikosi – Ejinrin LCDA, speaking with our reporter, pleaded with residents of Isiwu to give new monarch maximum support to make his reign peaceful and usher in developments.
“I am happy because this is a journey of almost 20 years of struggle but with God’s intervention, we have been able to actualize it. I am a really good friend of (Oba) Kayode who happens to be my classmate in secondary school. I wish the entire good people of Isiwu the best of luck during the reign of Oba Raji.
“I want Kabiyesi to encourage everybody and bring them together so that in togetherness, they can bring this community to the next level.
“Residents of this community should shun violence and cooperate with the new Oba because it is only God that appoints an Oba and He has given them a good Oba whom I know is a very calm man, gentle and fine and l am sure they are going to enjoy him if they cooperate with him.
“With their cooperation, Isiwu will develop at a fast rate”.
The paramount ruler of Odo – Ayandelu also stated that the new Eweye of Isiwu will receive the much needed support from other Obas in the state.
“The entire Obas are going to support him and we will make sure that lots of goodies come back to this community”.
Hon. SOB Agunbiade, the representative of Ikorodu Constituency I, described the development as symbolic and historic, adding that it would bring about Isiwu’s greatness.
“The ceremony is symbolic and historic because it has been very long that Isiwu had a traditional ruler and because of that, there had been a lot of substantiated fact that because the town was without a ruler, everybody was acting on their own”, the lawmaker said.
“Things were just happening and the progress of the town standstill until the royal family took up the struggle and the government approved for them an Oba.
“Today is the coronation of the new Oba, and we are sure that after today, the Oba will take charge of the community because we respect and revered Obas in the Yoruba community.
“He will not only take charge but also will be able to forestall violence and facilitate growth and developments of the town. He will be positioned to settle minor disputes and avoid them from gravitating into major crises.
“With the new Oba being installed, there would be peace in the town”.
