Kunle Adelabu
It was indeed good reasons for High Chief Tajudeen Alade Duduyemi Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo and the Head of the Lantan Onanusi Family, to be grateful for not just attaining 70 years of age but for also rising from nothing in life to be among major stakeholders that are in charge of the affairs of an ancient community.
The 70th birthday anniversary celebration of Odofin Onasanya, which was held at his Relaxation Centre & Hotel in Agunfoye in Igbogbo, Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, on Saturday, July19, 2021, provided the high traditional chief the opportunity to share his emotional childhood experience with numerous guests that were in attendance.
The occasion also served him the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the members of the Lantan Onanusi family for conferring the headship (Olootu) of the family and Oloritun of Abosan on him.
Odofin Onasanya, who said that he was grateful for attaining 70 years milestone which surpassed that of his father who died at the age of 50 years, added that he struggled through life working as a load carrier for people at Iddo – Market to fend for himself and finance his own education.
The celebrant, who spoke in the presence of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, representatives of the Olubeshe of Ibeshe His Royal Majesty, Oba Richard Ogunsanya and other dignitaries, also stated that at that period, he was squatting at a place inside Ebute – Elefun market.
“I have listened to many tributes where many speakers stated what I have done or where I have impacted their lives which I personally cannot recall and I really appreciate you all”, Odofin Onasanya said.
“All that you have said nearly moved me to tears because I derived joy and fulfillment in them.
“Kabiyesi, all that I am doing today is to express my thanks and appreciation to God for so many things.
“One of the reasons for appreciating God is that my father died on January 31, 1968 and he was born in 1919, that means he was 50 years old when he died”, he recalled.
“Today, I am 70 which means that I have surpassed my father’s age. It is enough reason to be thankful to God” he said thankfully.
He also said that he became the best choice of the family as the youngest candidate among the seven that aspired for the position of Odofin of Igbogbo, with support of prominent members of the family whom he said stood by him despite the fact that he had lost his father decades before that time.
“Between 1993, 1994 and 1995, my family came to urge me to accept the Odofin stool. Even though my father was not alive at the time, some fathers stood solidly by me as my fathers”, he recalled.
“I did not know what my father did for them that made them stood by me and supported my candidacy for the Odofin position.
“I thank Baba Benjamen Adekoya Ijeni who was the Olootu Lantan Onanusi family then. I also thank Baba Sanni Oshinlaja who was a palace chief at the time. So also Baba Abdul Odewale, Baba Lawrence Ashafa, Mama Lofon, Baba Jimoh Ishola and others.
“Many of them are Christians and Muslims leaders but when it was time to resolve a very serious matter which was scheduled for the Oro groove, they attended the meeting not minding their religious beliefs.
“They upheld the truth at the meeting and were ready to discuss the matter at the place despite being an Eluku groove.
“There were seven of us that aspired for the position of Odofin of Igbogbo that I am holding today. I was the youngest among the candidates.
High Chief Onasanya said that he has been following his vow that he would use his good office for the development of the family and the Igbogbo community at large, which he has been doing.
“I started the journey on August 31, 1995, when I committed my journey as Odofin of lgbogbo into the hands of God and made a vow that I would be truthful and sincere at all times in the discharge of my duty. I equally prayed to God to grant me the capacity to discharge my duties and responsibilities to my family, entire community and humanity”, he said.
“I am happy that I did not disappoint those elders that I mentioned earlier and they all appreciated and prayed for me for the way I have handled the responsibilities attached to my office as Odofin.
“These elders on their own called me separately to tutor me and made records, both written and oral, and other valuable things that I needed, regarding my leadership of the family and as a key traditional Chief in the community. I did not always wait until they call before going to them while they equally moved closer to me.
“I thank them all because all that they did for me and gave me are still very much useful for me till date.
Recalling his childhood experience, High Chief Tajudden Onasanya said:
“Kabiyesi, there was no assistance anywhere when my father died in 1968, I had to turn to carrying of loads for people at Iddo Market to fend for myself and finance my education.
“I was leaving inside Ebute – Elefun market where I pleaded for a space.
“I usually carried loads for people in the market in the morning and attended afternoon classes at the time”.
In an emotional appraisal of his life from the time he was carrying loads for others at a market in Lagos to now that he’s one of major Kingmakers and a prominent traditional chief in Igbogbo Kingdom, Ikorodu division and Lagos, Odofin Onasanya also established reasons for his celebration of life at 70.
“The same boy that was earning a living through carrying of loads for others in the market has now become a man that is managing and coordinating this community. This is indeed a reason for me to thank God and appreciate his faithfulness in my life.
“I thank all those that have made impact in my life and those that are here today to rejoice with me.
“I could have been part of those gangs at the Ebute – Elefun that are into hard drugs and turning into criminals but I resisted all that and with determination, I am somebody today.
“I took the picture of the house where l was born at Itunmokun because the place was partly collapsed as well as the house where my mother was born at Itun-Abosan and I made a vow that if I ever become somebody in life, I will rehabilitate the two houses and I have achieved that. Why won’t I be thankful?”, he asked rhetorically.
Recalling his involvement in the 1979 Adeboruwa saga that produced late Oba Johnson Fatola but tore Igbogbo township apart and the 2015 succession that produced the incumbent, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya said that the lessons of 1979 made Kingmakers to avoid politicians in 2015 and also prevented them from getting involved in the selection process for the new Adeboruwa.
“In 1979, when the immediate past Adeboruwa ascended the throne, I was not opportuned to be part of the process of his selection but I was among his supporters because we wanted the progress of Igbogbo”, he said.
“Kabiyesi, the same boy at Ebute – Elefun also became a major decision maker and one of the Kingmakers in Igbogbo. Again, why won’t I be thankful.
“Another historic event that I was fully involved in was in 2015 when Oba Johnson Fatola joined his ancestors. The Adeboruwa – in – Council and the entire sons and daughters of Igbogbo did very well when we were planning for his funeral and we deserve to commend ourselves.
“Baba Basorun (Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun) came during the process and said that he has never seen anywhere in the division where the final rites for an Oba have been as elaborate and detailed as what we did.
“I thank the immediate past Olisa of lgbogbo, Chief Adebola Sholanke, Chief Olorunwo Adeniji, Chief Obafemi Obayomi and also myself, Tajudeen Alade Onasanya.
“We ensure that there was no interference from the political class as it happened in 1979. Then, politicians interference polarized the Kingmakers and created problems that we are still trying to resolve in Igbogbo till today.
“When it was our turn in 2015, we ensured that politicians did not interfere and this allowed us to follow the due process.
He also narrated part of the journeys that the Kingmakers embarked upon for the funeral of the late Oba Fatola and selection of his successor.
“We actually consulted outside the Igbogbo community before we could arrive at the best successor for Oba Fatola.
“I remember a particular day that will forever remain with me. It was the day we were going to Epe in Remo to see the Kabiyesi in respect of rites of passage for our late Oba and search for a new one. I was with Apena and Oluwo. We took the expressway and at a point, our vehicle just stopped along the way and we were all alone in a very thick forest.
“When we asked the driver what the problem was, he told us that we needed to fill the radiator with water and immediately, the driver and l went in search of water while Chief Obafemi Obayomi, an elderly person, was left in the car.
“We walked for about a mile when we remembered that we left only the elderly man inside the vehicle and we turned back. It was on our way that we met Chief Obayomi who was coming to search for us.
“It was a great day and we just have to continue to thank God.
On the emergence of Oba Semiudeen Kasali as the successor of Oba Fatola, Odofin further commended other Kingmakers that worked with him for upholding the truth and for putting the development of the Igbogbo Kingdom first.
He openly stated that none of them demanded anything from the best choice among the candidates before recommending him to the government.
“When it was time for us to formally present the best choice for the Adeboruwa stool to succeed late Oba Fatola, I went as far as going beyond Ogijo (in Ogun State) to type the letter for security reasons”, Odofin Onasanya revealed.
“Kabiyesi, I brought the letter back and all the Kingmakers signed the paper without any objection. None of us demanded anything or money before signing the document. Please, I want you all to note that”, he said and emphasized.
“What we all agreed upon was to write our names in gold and entrench ourselves in the history of Igbogbo.
“We thank God that eventually; we have our choice as the Kabiyesi”, he said.
While thanking other kingmakers for putting the interest of the community first in selecting the current
Adeboruwa as the successor to late Oba Fatola, the Odofin of Igbogbo also said that part of his reasons for the celebration is because he is the only surviving Kingmaker alive to tell story and ensure that the path that they created in 2015 is not derailed.
“Another reason that I am also thankful is the fact that all the other Adeboruwa Kingmakers have passed away and I am the only one alive today. My duty now is to see to it that all that we have put in place for the progress and development of Igbogbo are protected and sustained.
“Today, all that I am doing is to thank God; continue to be truthful and sincere”, Odofin Onasanya said.
In his royal address, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Kasali congratulated the celebrant on his birthday and commended him for his developmental activities, both within his family and in the larger community.
He charged guests to learn from Odofin’s life transformation and honour.
“Look at how Odofin’s life has turned out to be and how we have all gathered here today to celebrate him”, Oba Kasali told guests.
“Some are still going to fight Baba Odofin on friendly note because they are not part of his 70th birthday celebration.
“I am not the only Oba that is supposed to be here celebrating Odofin because of his personality, other Obas, both within and outside the Ikorodu Division are also supposed to be here with us today and he is still going to do their own version of the celebration.
“He is entitled to be celebrated by traditional rulers and others because he is very well known and his activities make him deserving all the honour coming his way”, the Adeboruwa said.
While asking Odofin to be prepared to celebrate his birthday for Obas at the Ikorodu Chieftaincy Committee and at the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Adeboruwa volunteered to speak on his behalf when he is queried for not bringing his 70th birthday celebration to their notice.
Oba Kasali, while stating that the celebrant is an exemplary person whom other residents should emulate, also asked him not relent yet in discharging his duties to his family and the community.
“Odofin is an example of someone who loves and committed to the development of this community.
“I want to tell him that work is just starting and he’s going to face some challenges like some Prophets”.
The royal father said that no matter what some people are saying, he would continue to listen to the progressive ideas from Odofin and others in the quest to develop Igbogbo.
“I have been accommodating Odofin and he has proven valuable in many ways because he always has progressive ideas and solutions to any given situation. My door will continue to be opened for him and others like that”, Oba Kasali said.
Oba Kasali once again appealed to residents of Igbogbo to forgive one another and work for development of lgbogbo community.
The royal father also charged guests to always process information that they receive from people or on social media because of the negative effects of circulating damaging information about another person”, he said.
Builder Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development, while also congratulating Odofin Onasanya, said that the celebrant has created a path which has positively affected many.
The Chairman, on behalf of the council and good people of Igbogbo, also commended Chief Onasanya for his contributions to the development of Igbogbo.
“Odofin is a father to all and God that has granted him wisdom to father us will not take it away from him.
“You have done many things and created many paths unknowingly to you which have turned around many lives positively.
“I am pleased to offer my warm congratulations to High Chief Tajudeen Alade Onasanya on his 70th birthday and 26th installation anniversary as Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom, on behalf of my family, the government and people of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA”, the Council Chairman said.
“Yours has been a life truly worthy of celebration. You have always readily availed our community and the council administration your wise counsel and invaluable support as we work assiduously to reposition our dear LCDA for enduring peace, security, accelerated growth and development. For this, we owe you a debt of gratitude”.
Other guests also spoke glowingly about the celebrant’s developmental activities in his family, traditional institution and Igbogbo community, and also described him as a good Ambassador of Igbogbo to the outside world.
