Kunle Adelabu
His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, (Emugoriade I), the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, on Sunday, February 14, 2021, installed Chief (Mrs) Karimot Jokotade Ojikutu (Nee Idowu) as the new Iyalode (head of women) of the ancient town.
The installation took place at the Adeboruwa palace in lgbogbo with the Adeboruwa – in – Council led by High Chief Tajudeen Duduyemi Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo and the new chief’s family members and friends in attendance.
Oba Kasali, while installing the new Iyalode, charged her to give her commitment and dedication to the office by discharging her duties creditably.
The new Iyalode arrived at the Osugbo (highest traditional authority) early on Sunday morning for traditional rites and later moved to the Adeboruwa palace for the proper installation which was anchored by Oba Kasali.
Chief Ojikutu hails from the Olu – Odo and Akinbule families in Igbogbo and until her emergence for the key traditional position, she was an Olori Erelu Iledi Orekoya Reformed Ogboni Fraternity.
She has also being an astute politician and a former Woman leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikorodu LGA.
Chief Ojikutu was also the Supervisor for the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme SURE-P in Ward C2 in Igbogbo.
She defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with her leader and distinguished Senator Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe in the year 2019.
The new Iyalode, speaking with THE IMPACT at her family house after her installation, said that the chieftaincy title confers on her important duties to the Adeboruwa and Igbogbo community.
She also revealed some of her programmes as Iyalode and also solicited for cooperation, especially from the market women.
“This is a very important chieftaincy title. As the head of women in the Kingdom, it is my duty to give women guide and support them and also assist the traditional ruler, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, in achieving his plans for Igbogbo”, Chief (Mrs) Ojikutu said.
“I want to be concerned with the right development of young boys and girls, and more importantly, care for widows because of what they usually go through after losing their husbands.
“I will also be concerned with our young ladies that are dressing indecently around the town. It is always a pianful thing for me seeing how young girls are dressing outside in clothes they are supposed to wear indoor. This is something that we can help Kabiyesi and community in curbing.
“I solicit for support from entire citizenry of Igbogbo, especially market women, to enable me discharge my duties as expected by the Kabiyesi, Chiefs and entire people of Igbogbo”, the new Iyalode appealed.
A chieftain of the new Iyalode’s family, who spoke with our reporter at the family house, said that the newly installed chief is capable and will discharge her duties accordingly.
“It is a happy moment for the entire family that a daughter of Olu – Odo family has emerged as the Iyalode.
“There won’t be any problem with the new Iyalode because Kabiyesi and entire Igbogbo community are fully aware of her competence to discharge her duty and the family will be solidly behind her”.
It would be recalled that the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Kasali, asked the former occupant of the stool, Mrs Adebisi Fanuga, to stop parading herself as Iyalode of Igbogbo after failing to complete her traditional rites and discharge her duties since her installation about 13 years ago.
Meanwhile, the monarch has also installed a new head (Eze Ndigbo) for the Igbo community in Igbogbo.
The new Eze was installed in a very colourful ceremony held at the Adeboruwa palace on Saturday, February 13, 2021.
