Kunle Adelabu
The entire King Kosoko family of Lagos has unanimously adopted the election of Prince Tiamiyu Abiola Kosoko as the new Oloja of Lagos.
This was the main agenda at the general meeting of the family held at King Kosoko palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, on Thursday December 31, 2020.
Prince Kosoko, who hails from the Olojo section of the family, will succeed the former Oloja of Lagos, Chief Adebola Ige who joined his ancestors in December 2017.
Prince Abiola, the Chief Executive Officer of the Origin Zoo & Gardens, Ikorodu, and the Alashe of Ebute – Iga, had on Saturday, December 12, 2020, emerged as the Oloja – elect of Lagos in a keenly contested election.
He garnered all the 9 votes cast during the election held for the position to defeat three other contestants: Prince Issa Adeyemi Aregbeshola, Prince Ismail Adedayo Kosoko, and Prince Dotun Olaluwoye.
While raising the Oloja – elect’s hand and presenting him to the general house at the general meeting, Alhaja Mutiat Abimbola Ashabi Alli-Balogun, the Olori – Ebi (family head) of King Kosoko family, said that his nomination followed due process and was ratified by the kingmakers.
His presentation at the meeting attended by all the nine sectional heads of the King Kosoko family was followed by jubilation which lasted for several minutes.
The emergence of the new Oloja was not without challenges due to division and crisis that existed within the family during the reign of late Chief Ige
Attempts by the family to achieve harmony and peace led to the constitution of a reconciliation committee headed by a veteran and popular Nollyhood actor, Prince Babajide Kosoko.
The new Oloja, Prince Abiola, in his acceptance speech, assured chieftains and members of the family of sustained developments.
He pledged to create platforms for youth engagement and improved family welfare.
Also, in an interview with THE IMPACT, Prince Abiola described his emergence as a new beginning and promised to bring everybody together.
“It is the beginning of a new dawn. Today, we have been able to resolve the crisis that has been going on for several decades”, he said.
“It started with my great grandfather who tried to ascend the stool. Also my grandfather and uncle, but here I am today being elected as the Oloja of Lagos.
“Everybody in the family is just happy that this is happening in their lifetime.
“The family head’s mother was the one that started this struggle as far back as 1978.
“I am happy that we are finally here and pray to God to give me wisdom to move the family forward and lead the family to where it is supposed to be because we are lacking in the Kosoko dynasty and now my responsibility is to take us to where we are supposed to be.
“I plan to bring everybody together by first resolving the rift within the family and ensure that the family speaks with one voice.
“The entire family is happy to achieve this today and they want me to lead and as the Chief Servant of the family, I will carry everybody along so that we can get to where we are supposed to be together”, he assured the family.
“The family should see me as their Chief Servant. My doors are opened and l’ll be ready to listen to everybody”.
Pa Akinola Kosoko, the head of Olaniyonu section of the King Kosoko family, described the development as a major remaining part of the family heritage and relevance after many years that members of the family were prevented from gaining access to the family properties.
Prince Adeoye Kosoko, the General Secretary of the Kosoko family, said that the emergence of a new Oloja is one of the best days of the family and charged the new Oloja to be upright and deliver on his promises to the family.
“Today is one of the best days of the family after over 40 years.
“My message to him (the new Oloja) is that he should be upright which he is and should be able to carry everybody along. He should also ensure that his programmes on healthcare, education, family welfare and business which are reasons for his succession campaign for the stool are implemented.
In the coming days, the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Osuolole Akinola who returned to his palace on January 1, 2021, is expected to be duly informed about the emergence of Prince Tiamiyu Kosoko as the new Oloja of Lagos.
The process is expected to be completed with the approval of the Lagos Island Local Government and the Lagos State Government.
