Kunle Adelabu
-Club plans big for 2024 ‘Odun Osu’
It was glitz, fun – filled and colourful outing as the Egbe Tobalase Obinrin Ikorodu Kingdom, celebrated its third year anniversary of the existence of what is known and called in Ijebu circle as, ‘Regberegbe’ (a socio – cultural) club, existing in honour of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu.
At the ceremony held at 17, Gbasemo Street, Aga, at the palace of Baale Aga, Chief Ibrahim Olukotun who, incidentally, is one of the club’s royal adviser (male), were Otunba Akinola Awomodu, Grand Patron and Otunba Anoko-Ogboyari of lkorodu and Remoland, Chief Mrs Folake Ijelu Okeowo, Royyal Adviser (female) and Mrs Bolanle Adigun, a matron who was represented by a team.
Chief Ibrahim Olukotun, Baale Aga, led about seven other Baales to grace the occasion. Among them are: Chief Adeowo Olaiyiwola Idris, Baale Orija Okegbegun, Chief Lookman Alade Awomodu, Baale Liwe Awomu Owode, and Chief Lateef Kamson, Baale Olugbusi.
Another ‘Regberegbe’ group, ‘Gbogeniyi’, was fully represented at the anniversary.
Mrs Olufunke Ashabi Owoyele, the founder and Iyalode of Tobalase Obinrin of Ikorodu Kingdom, speaking with THE IMPACT, said that the club exists to support members, empower petty vulnerable people and support the development of Ikorodu.
“We are women of substance. We empower both men and women. This is our third year of existence, and we have been making impacts in Ikorodu.
“We are known to the Ayangbure palace and have received recognition from His Royal Majesty, Oba Kbair Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu. We have been participating in the activities of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), and by God’s grace, we are going to do more.
“The club has been assisting its members with soft loans, and we have also been extending the same to the less privileged in the society. We equally give out capital to some to empower them and not pay back”, Mrs Owoyele said.
Speaking on the club’s future plans, Iyalode Tobalase said that the club has big plans for next year’s ‘Odun Osu’ (first annual traditional celebration in Ikorodu Kingdom).
“In the next five years, we are hoping to do more empowerment for members and others in Ikorodu. We are also planning to do something special at the next year’s ‘Odun Osu’, but we are not disclosing the details now”, she said.
“We thank the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, and his Olori who always pray for us whenever we are at the palace. We also want to thank our grand patron, Otunba Akinola Awomodu, matrons and patrons, Alhaja Sanda, Asiwaju Steve Anifowoshe, Arabinrin Oluwatoyin Shobowale, Erelu Bonike Ayedun, Baale Ibrahim Olukotun, Mrs Bolanle Adigun and Alhaja (Chief) Mrs Folake Ijelu. They have all been doing wonderfully well for Tobalase in Ikorodu”.
Princess Abiola, the General Secretary of the club who spoke about the club to guests, said that Egbe Tobalase is a foremost ‘Regberegbe’ group in Ikorodu, with professional and skilled members as members.
“We are foremost ‘Regberegbe’ in Ikorodu Kingdom, and we have members who are professionals – medical doctors, engineers and business women”, she said.
“We do not just admit people into our club. Any aspiring member must be professional or into good business or vocation”.
She also confirmed that the club has plans to continue empowering petty traders and vulnerable people in Ikorodu and also have plans for Odun Osu.
The club’s grand patron, Otunba Akinola Awomodu, congratulated members of the Tobalase Obinrin, for sustaining their friendship, while also charging them to be more committed to the ideals of the club.
“I congratulate the Egbe Tobalase Ikorodu, for sustaining their existence three years after, because there were many other clubs that did not exist for a after their formation, but yours is not like that. I believe you really need to thank God for that”, Otunba Awomodu said while commensing members of the Club.
“I am proud of you, and commend your progress since I have joined you. I can attest to the quality, responsibility and the integrity of the entire members of the club. You should always commend yourself for contributing and believing in Tobalase’s project.
“To me, I have no doubt that the association will continue to rise. In whatever that you are going to do, you must continue to have self-conviction that you are up to the task, and contribute your quota as members”, he said.
He assured them that patrons and matrons of the club, will continue to give them support, while also charging members of the club, to re-commit themselves to the club’s ideals and work towards sustaining the club.
As part of the activities celebrating the third anniversary, the members visited markets in Ikorodu, on Saturday to give donations to petty traders, as part of the club’s community empowerment and social responsibility.
The memorable event, was, however, not all about speeches, as guests and members of the club, had a great time enjoying good meals and assorted drinks, while they also danced to great music.
