Kunle Adelabu
-Hon. Agunbiade supports empowerment for widows, pledges to do more
The good work and humanitarian gestures of the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Bolanle Agunbiade, especially to the Igbo people in Ikorodu Division, has been recognized by the General Assembly of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ikorodu Division as he was conferred with the traditional title of Omema Ndigbo of Ikorodu Kingdom, on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.
The title, which means, “A man who has been doing good to everyone”, was conferred on the lawmaker during a ceremony which took place at Powerline in Itamaga area of lkorodu.
Agunbiade, who is also the ‘Opomulero’ (Pillar) of Ikorodu Kingdom, was also presented an award of honour in recognition of his commitment to the welfare, unity, peace and progress of Igbo people in Ikorodu.
At the ceremony were Ohanaeze chieftains from lkorodu division, Lagos State and Eastern parts of the country.
The President – General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Auene (Udochia), speaking at the event, commended the Ikorodu Local Government chapter of the body for its good performance.
While stating that the title was a deserving one for Hon. Agunbiade, the President – General also stated that the ranking lawmaker, with the Omema Ndigbo title, has become half Yoruba and half Igbo.
He added that the lawmaker, by his act and competence, will govern the state.
The President – General was represented by Chief Everest Ozonweke, the Secretary – General, Ohanaeze, Lagos State.
“I commend and congratulate you for this deserving honour. Henceforth, you will be half Yoruba and half Igbo once you are installed.
“I have seen and heard what you have been doing and I have no doubt that you will become the governor of Lagos State and that is what the entire Igbo people have agreed upon and we are ready to support you”, he said.
High Chief John Obani, the Chairman of the occasion, said that Hon. Agunbiade was honoured because of his kindness and philanthropic gestures, especially for the Igbo people.
“Today, we are here to empower some of widows and also to present awards to some eminent individuals who have contributed to the progress of Ndigbo.
“We are also gathered here today, for the installation of Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade as a chief in Igboland which and that is why we have brought elders from the East and Lagos State for the purpose.
“We want the cordial relationship between the Igbo community and the Yoruba people to continue and Hon. Agunbiade symbolizes that by the virtue of his position and goodness to the Igbo people.
“You (Hon. Agunbiade) have given us a lot and you have been supportive of our people”, he said.
The Chairman, Ohanaeze, Ikorodu Local Government, Nazi Daniel Uchechukwu Eze, while thanking guests at the occasion for their presence, also stated that peace has come to reign within the Ndigbo leadership.
He added that the time when some people go about causing trouble is over.
The new Igbo red cap chief, Hon. Agunbiade, in his acceptance speech, described his installation as actualization of what people have been clamouring for.
He thanked the Ohanaeze Ndigbo for not given him the chieftaincy title during electioneering period while also enjoining those that he assisted in securing the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to endeavour to pay back so as to enable others to benefit from it.
“Today is a day of actualization because my sister, who died a year ago, always told me that people in her bank always referred to me as her Igbo brother”, Hon. Agunbiade said.
“Even outside the country, people relate with me first as an Igbo man because of my look until I tell them that I am a proper Yoruba man.
“After today’s installation, I will go on a visit to the East to learn more about Igbo culture and tradition, especially the language”, the lawmaker said.
“I thank you for not conferring this title on me during the electioneering period when people will think that I bought it. I did not buy the title, it was conferred on me by the Ndigbo because they believe l am deserving of it”.
He commended the industriousness of Igbo race while charging those that are yet to pay back the business support loan from LSETF to do so for them and others to benefit more.
“In Africa, Igbo people are more industrious and there is nowhere that you will go that you will not see them. They are very enterprising.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to those that we assisted with the LSETF loan to fulfill the terms of the agreement by paying back. It is when they pay back that they can benefit more and others too will also benefit”, he appealed.
He assured the Ohanaeze Ndigbo that the title is a challenge for him to do more for the people, while also assuring Igbo farmers that their issue will be resolved.
“We will continue to do good for people and humanity in general”, he said.
“I thank you all, many of whom are captains of industry and highly successful businessmen, for coming here today to honour me.
“All that I want from you is to continue to give me your support and with your support, I will be to do more for our people.
“I learnt that some Igbo farmers in Ikorodu are having issues, we are already working on it and l assure you that we shall resolve it ”, he assured.
One of the highlights of the event was the empowerment of seven widows by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo while Hon. Agunbiade promised an undisclosed amount as his support for the empowerment.
Other important dignitaries at the ceremony were Chief (Sir) Oliver Akubueze, President emeritus, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief (Mrs) Kate Onyechere, Senior Special Adviser to Abia State Governor, High Chief Daman Okoye Nanka, Treasurer, Ohanaeze, Lagos State, Chief (Col.) Reuben Nwako (rtd.), the Omobowale of Ikorodu and Barr. Ken, a legal practitioner.
There were also Eze Nidigbo from Ikorodu Local Government, Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ikeja, Onigbongbo and Ojodu among others.
