Kunle Adelabu
The Kosoko Royal Family of Lagos has said that they are cooperating with the Oba of Lagos and the Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, in making Lagos Island a peaceful place for residents and businesses.
The Oloja of Lagos (Elect), His Highness, Prince Abiola Kosoko, stated this at the palace of Kosoko, Ereko, Lagos Island, last Thursday while interacting with journalists on the fracas that occurred in the area last week.
At the palace were chieftains of the family.
He also said that market activities have since returned to the affected area and people are going about their businesses peacefully.
“The entire Kosoko family of Lagos is very thankful to the media houses that assisted us in publishing our rejoinder because we are not happy with the tagging of the violence as ‘Idumota versus Kosoko’. It is something that we don’t want to hear because we were not party to it and we condemn it in its entirety”, Oloja said.
“Our family is a royal family and a reputable one for that matter and not an organization.
“We are glad to support His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos, in making Lagos peaceful and the business environment conducive for everybody.
“I was indeed very glad that I stood in for the Oba of Lagos in intervening in the matter and we were able to bring sides to the fracas to understand why it is necessary to embrace peace.
“Due to this intervention and with the support of the Lagos State Government and police, market activities are back to normal and you can see that people are going about their businesses.
“It is important that we all support the royal father in further development of Lagos Island which he had done so much in turning around positively since his ascension to the throne”, Prince Kosoko said.
He said that the Kosoko palace and entire family intervened in the matter to bring the problem under control.
“The palace of Kosoko quickly met with the market associations in this area and on Monday, led them to a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation which was very fruitful”, he said.
“It was after the meeting that the leadership of the unions were arrested and I am very sure that the police are still investigating the matter so as to find a lasting solution to it.
“We have also met with the boys in the area and appealed to them on the need for peace. We also let them know that the palace will be available for them over any matter”, Prince Kosoko added.
Prince Sikiru Adeoye Kosoko, the General Secretary, Kosoko royal family while disassociating the family from the unfortunate fracas also commended the bravery of the Oloja – Elect in intervening in the matter.
He thanked the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Police in bringing back peace to Lagos Island.
During the tour of the Idumota and Ereko axis of Lagos lsland by our reporter after the chat with Oloja – Elect, people were seen going about their businesses with shops opened.
Patrol vehicles manned by armed policemen were also parked at strategic locations, especially at Idumota.
