-Gives account of stewardship
Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
The largest and most effective security architecture and development platform in Ikorodu Division, the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited/GTE, commenced its two years anniversary with recognition and honouring of individuals and corporate bodies that have been supporting the organization since its inception.
The group also gave account of stewardship since its creation, to stakeholders, residents and corporate partners who attended an event organised to mark the anniversary.
At the ceremony, which was held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023,at the magnificent Obateru’s Castle, the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adeoriyomi Akeem Oyebo , the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, were royal fathers and other eminent personalities who enjoyed the serenity of the palatial edifice which faces the lagoon.
Since the inception of the group which was conceived by the royal fathers, lkorodu division has witnessed peace and tranquility compared to years past when cultism and criminalities were the order of the day.
However, security has not been the only area where the body has impacted the division, its impact has also been felt in the social and economic sections of the Division. The group, within two years, inaugurated a N20 million annual endowment fund for education through which scholarship and bursary were awarded to indigent and brilliant students.
The body is also building a large technical college to train youths and others in various skills, which, when completed, will be the largest in Africa. In the same vein, IDPIL intervened in the rehabilitation of a block of six classrooms and 12 toilets at the LG Primary School, Oreta, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, based on the report by THE IMPACT newspaper.
As part of its efforts in securing Ikorodu Division adequately, IDPIL has also been providing street lights powered with solar, with Imota community being the first to benefit from the project, while lgbogbo is next on the list of the beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, in the individual category of the award presentation held at the anniversary event, Senator Tokunbo Abriu, the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, was honoured with the Peace & Security Partners award by the IDPIL.
For their efforts in initiating IDPIL to maintain peace and develop Ikorodu Division, royal fathers: His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu; His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo; His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota; His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adeoriyomi Akeem Oyebo , the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Bashir Shotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo; His Royal Majesty, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, His Royal Majesty, Oba David Raji Balogun, the Eweye of Isiwu; His Royal Majesty, Oba Ahmed Moruf Olalekan Ogunnaike, the Alagura of Agura and High Chief Musediq Alogba, the Regent of Ijede, were honoured with Pillar of Peace and Security awards.
Special Peace and Security Partners awards were bestowed on police and NDLEA officers that have been partnering with the IDPIL, in ensuring that Ikorodu is peaceful and drug free, with AIG Ashafa Adekunle (Rtd.), ACP Remi Adesoye, ACP Bode Fakeye, Csp Fatai Adigun and Mr Isiaka Lawal Opeloyeru, Deputy Commandant of Narcotics (DCN), NDLEA as awardees.
Also, several corporate bodies among which are: Zenith bank, FCMB, Yinka Folawiyo Group of Company, MuiltiChoice, Heritage Bank, Oriwu Club and Executive Club were honoured with Corporate Sponsorship awards, while Mr Taiwo Hassan Awolaru, the Administrative/Financial Director, IDPIL, and Engr. Rotimi Erogbogbo, a chieftain of the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group, were honoured with Peace Ambassador awards.
Akogun Olabinjo Olarenwaju Jamiu, the General Commandant, IDPIL Joint Security Taskforce, alongside 16 other officers of the IDPIL Joint Local Taskforce, were honoured with the Outstanding Gallantry Award for their efforts in taming crimes and criminalities in Ikorodu Division.
Other officers that were honoured are: Prince Adeniyi Adeleke, Ogunleye Hakeem Adebola, Saka Tajudeen, Raheem Yaya, Aliki Orila, Rafiu Jimoh Adebayo, Pedro Kazeem and Shotomiwa Sesan.
Others are: Ayeni Yesir, Yussuf Enijesheku, Olalekan Kehinde, Sanusi Samuel, Akinyele Iyabo Oluwatosin, Kayode Ogunsanya and Moruf Atanda Yusuf.
Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, KJW, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom and Chairman 2nd Anniversary Planning Committee, in his welcome address, said that the IDPIL got the mandate of the royal fathers in the Division, to deal with crimes that were given Ikorodu bad names then, a call which he said the group has delivered on.
“About two years ago, we all witnessed the historic establishment of this great body, by all the Royal Fathers of Ikorodu Division, led by the Ayangburen of lkorodu, Oba (Engr) Kabir Adewale Shotobi. We were given a marching order to stem the tide of insecurity being witnessed across our communities then. We thank God that our efforts to organize and initiate what has how now become a model community sponsored local joint task force dubbed, IDPIL-LJTF, has yielded positive results”, he said.
“We are glad that our effort has now paid off as our communities now enjoy relative peace and tranquility. The days of incessant cult clashes, gang wars, land tussles and other criminal activities are now over. Our people can now move around the communities without fear, business activities are going on smoothly without security infraction of any sort”.
He gave kudos to the Board of Trustees, management team and officers of the IDPIL –LJTF, for the sanity brought back to the social and economic lives of Ikorodu people in the last two years.
“Kudos to the IDPIL BOT led by our indefatigable High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of Ikorodu Kingdom and the management, led by Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abriu, for providing dynamic leadership for the body. I must also congratulate our very gallant LJTF operatives, led by Akogun Lanre Labinjo, for the selfless community service they are rendering to our division”, Otunba Elesho said.
“While the journey towards providing enduring security and peace in lkorodu division, is not a 100 meter dash, it is imperative that we count our blessings and celebrate our modest achievements in the past two years, while also recognizing the individuals and corporate bodies that have partnered with us in recording this modest achievements”.
Chairman, IDPIL Board of Trustees, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, Odofin of Ikorodu, said that the mandate given to them by the royal fathers and entire residents, is an opportunity serve.
“This is a rare opportunity given to us to serve our great division, and we do not take it for granted. Today’s event is not to blow our own trumpet as a body. Rather, it is an opportunity for us to present our accounts of stewardship to our royal fathers. Distinguished stakeholders and our partners”, he said.
“It is also a platform for us to take stock of our journey in the last two years, take feedbacks from you all and re-strategize for the future ahead”.
Odofin Ogunsanya, who thanked individual and corporate partners of the group, also charged sons and daughters of Ikorodu Division, to join hands with the group in bringing about peace.
“Finally, let me call on all well-meaning lkorodu division indigenes, residents and corporate bodies based in lkorodu division, to come on board and patner with us in ensuring peace and security across the division.
“Security and community development is a collective responsibility and hands must be on deck in this regard”.
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, in his royal message, commended the IDPIL, on its achievements in the last two years, and charged the body’s management on the need to continue to do more for the people.
He assured the management team of the body of the continuous support of the Obas in lkorodu division.
“Expectations of our people is that the body should continue to wax stronger. You should make sure that you reach other areas that you have promised to touch in terms of education, health, roads. The group has done well in term of security”, the royal father said.
“The entire division has benefited tremendously from the activities of IDPIL, and we hope it will continue and it will not go down. We pray that God will continue to strengthen all the people that are managing the group.
“All the Obas in the division stand by the body. We will continue to do our best to make sure that the body achieve goals it has set”.
Oba Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin, also speaking, commended IDPIL, for what it has been able to achieve in the last two years.
“We have witnessed not just improvement on security situation, you can see today they are talking about education, empowerment , scholarship and so on and so forth”, the royal father said.
“You can see that since the existence of IDPIL, Ikorodu has now been witnessing very low crime rate. The crime rate has been very low and apart from that, we have been enjoying peace in Ikorodu, which really showcases competence.
“To me, you have to give it to them, they have performed wonderfully and creditably”.
Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, the Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District who was represented by his media aide, Mr Enitan Olukotun, speaking with our reporter, said that the IDPIL has made impacts on security, education and other aspects of the community.
“Well, if you look at what IDPIL, it has been able to achieve a lot in stemming the stride of insecurity that was prominent in lkorodu two years ago, and if you look at it now, residents are feeling remarkable improvement regarding insecurity.
“Aside security situation in lkorodu division, if you look at their effort in the area of education; supporting our students in higher institutions through bursary, scholarship and other efforts, as well as other interventions they have made in terms of school renovations and providing infrastructure to community and others, they have really done well.
“What IDPIL is doing is highly commendable, and we must commend the visioner and the promoters on this noble initiative and others. Going forward, I think a lot of people will call to support them, because they have seen the truth in the motives of these people, and that they are all committed to the development of lkorodu division, entirely”.
