Kunle Adelabu
Tolani Modinat Shobajo, an indigene of Ikorodu division, who was part of the popular reality television series, Big Brother Naija (BBN), Season 5 (the lockdown edition) recently concluded few months ago, has received the royal blessing and support of Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, for her empowerment projects in lkorodu.
She paid a courtesy visit to the monarch in his palace on Monday, November 23, 2020, with her team.
The celebrity, who was among the last 10 housemates to exit the reality show, spent eight years in Ikorodu before going back to the United States of America (USA) where she was born.
She also had her University education in America where she studied Health Care Administration.
Tolani, who said that her family house is in Ijomu and Anibaba area of Ikorodu, added that his father’s houses where she lived while in Nigeria is at Sholebo Estateand Ebute, while she also attended Caleb International College, Magodo, for her Secondary school education while in Nigeria.
She stated that she is visiting Ikorodu to impact and contribute to the development of youths and assist the needy.
“I am visiting the Ayangbure palace to express myself on making an impact in Ikorodu. I grew up in Ikorodu, though, I don’t live here anymore but I still want to make a change here”, she said.
“I feel like using what God has given me to empower people here. I would like to make an impact on the less privileged people and the needy and share what I have with them”, Tolani added.
“I want to establish a training academy that will cater for students after school. At the academy, they can learn one skill or the other. It will also serves those that are not interested in going to school but prefer to acquire skill.
“I also want to do monthly charity, just to make sure that people have something to eat. This will make me happy and those are what we love to do”.
On her tourism agenda, the former BBNaija housemate said that her dream is to place Ikorodu on the global tourism map by promoting water transport tourism.
“To the Africans in America, when they come home in December, Ikorodu is not a place they usually think of going to. I want to put Ikorodu on the map. You can come to Ikorodu by ferry and you don’t necessarily have to come by road”, she said.
“Ferry will be fun. You can record videos and promote it on social media and through that, we can create awareness that people can take ferry to Ikorodu.
“Obas palaces are also another tourist attraction centres in Ikorodu. Now that I have a relationship with the palace, we can come here and do a video with Kabiesi and he can speak with our people abroad and enjoin them to come back home”.
While advising the youths, Tolani said:
“Chase your dream and whatever you want to accomplish in life is very possible. Believe in it and act towards it. Don’t let negative energy break you down. As long as you stay focus, you will be successful”
While giving MsTolani his blessing, Oba Shotobi also assured of availing her the opportunity of meeting and partnering with important socio – cultural groups and individuals to enhance her empowerment initiatives.
“It is very considerate of you to come back to impact on Ikorodu”, Oba Shotobi stated while commending Tolani.
“You will have the opportunity of talking to IKODASS and other important bodies that you may partner with regarding your programmes.
“The palace of Ayangbure of Ikorodu will also be inviting you to its programmes and events where you could talk to youths and others”.
Oba Shotobi, who stated that he has been supporting the less privileged in Ikorodu with food items and small scale business owners with interest free loans, charged Ms Tolani to help in completing an abandoned project at Etunrenren Primary School as part of her programmes.
While commending Hon. Babajimi Benson for projects he has facilitated to Ikorodu in terms of roads, school buildins, health and sporting facilities, he also charged other illustrious Ikorodu sons and daughters to return home and contribute to the development of Ikorodu.
Some of chiefs that supported Oba Shotobi in receiving Tolani and her team were Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, Publisher of Oriwu Sun newspaper and Baaroyin of Ikorodu, High Chief Awolesi, High Chief (Mrs) Afolake Shonubi, the Iyalode of Ikorodu and several Baales.
