Kunle Adelabu
-As markets leaders, members give approval, support
A new Iya – Oloja General for the Ikorodu Division, has been announced by the Second Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Adegorushen V, who also presented the new divisional market leader letter of appointment.
The event took place at the Ayangbure pavilion hall on Friday, December 8, 2023, and recorded a large crowd, while it also witnessed the ratification of Deaconess Busola Elizabeth Isikalu, the Chief Executive of Busiq Fabrics, as the new lyaloja General of lkorodu division, to succeed late Alhaja (Chief) Taofeekat Abiodun Allison.
The emergence of Deaconess Isikalu, was coming five months after the death of Alhaja Allison who combined the position of the Iya Oloja General of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, with that of the Iya Oloja of the Ayangbure (Sabo) International Market, Ikorodu.
At the presentation were market leaders from the six Local Government Area and Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and from outside the Ikorodu Division, who expressed their support for the choice of the new Divisional market leader and offered prayers for her successful tenure. They also thanked the Ayangbure, for the thorough screening.
Oba Shotobi, addressing reporters, explained how the choice of Deaconess Busola Isikalu, was arrived at.
The royal father, who stated that the screenings of the eight candidates that signified interest, were rigorous, and added that necessary quarters have been duly informed of the emergence of the new market leader, hence, her formal presentation to the market people and the general public.
“We lost our Iyaloja General, Alhaja Alison, some months ago and we thought there should be no vaccum, thus, there is need to have a new Iyaloja General that covers the entire Ikorodu Division”, Oba Shotobi said.
“In doing this, we asked the market people to present their candidates. We had about eight contestants that applied for the position and we urged them to discuss among themselves on the need to step down for one another, but they insisted on going into the competition.
“Thereafter, we decided to screen them. We had the first screening committee consisted of a lawyer, former Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, seasoned Permanent Secretary among others.
“They reported back to me and we picked the best five. The fourth and fifth contestants actually tied and after, we decided to have a review panel to look into the report.
“In the review panel, we had some of our trusted and seasoned professionals in Ikorodu, with the likes of Oduborisha, President of Oriwu Club, Dr (Senator) Seye Ogunlewe, former Minister and former Head of Serrvice, Bashorun (Babatunde) Rotinwa, former Special Adviser to the Governor, F.O. Lasisi and the Iyalode (of Ikorodu) and the Baba Oloja of Ikorodu, Alhaji Alogba.
“They looked into the previous screening report and from their report, we got our new Iya Oloja General, and we have notified all the areas that we are supposed to informed before embarking on the presentation of the nomination of the new Iya Oloja General”, Ayangbure said.
The Aayngbure of Ikorodu also informed that the new Iya Oloja General of Ikorodu Division will be capped soon.
“Today, we invited all the Iya Olojas in Ikorodu Division, and all the six chieftains in the LGA and LCDAs attended, to give their blessings and support and they also expressed their happiness”, Oba Shotobi said.
“We are waiting for the day that the new Iya Oloja General will be capped. That was what happened today”.
Speaking earlier, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, KJW, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, appealed for cooperation and understanding among market men and women in the Division, emphasizing the need for peaceful co – existence.
He said that the palace had intervened in the best interest of Ikorodu and entire Division, and urged other contestants and residents to accept the preferred choice.
Agbaakin also charged the new Iya Oloja General on the need to adopt an open – door policy and bring all that contested against her and the entire market women and men in the division, together.
