Wale Jagun & Bolu Orebajo (SIWES Student)
-As Odofin Ogunsanya, IDPIL Chairman confirms palace donation
The Sekumade of Ipakodo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Basiru Aremu Sotonwa, has assured that the reconstruction of Sekumade palace in Ipakodo in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Southwest, Nigeria, has begun.
While disclosing this at the grand finale final of the 2024 edition of the Ipakodo Day Celebration, the royal father also assured that the palace will be completed before the next edition of the annual lpakodo Day celebration.
The grand finale of the annual celebration, which was attended by royal fathers, government functionaries, captain of industries and other dignitaries, took place at the Ikorodu Ferry Terminal, Ipakodo, on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
This year’s celebration, which started about a week ago, featured Woro Procession, Medical Outreach, Youth & Sports Day, Market Men & Women Day among others.
“Concerning the planned construction of the Oba Sekumade Palace Pavilion, let me use this opportunity to inform you all that there is a new development regarding the project.
“We have decided to re-appraise the project by now expanding it to include a complete re- designing of the project to accommodate a total reconstruction of the entire palace.
“Let me assure you that this project will kick off officially within a few weeks from now, through the magnanimous support of a notable philanthropist. By God’s grace, by the time we are gathering here to celebrate the 4th Edition of Ipakodo Day in 2025, we will be celebrating in a brand new Oba Sekumade Palace”, Oba Sotomiwa assured guests and residents at the celebration.
To this end, as we gather together again today, as a community, let me use this opportunity to charge every one of you to keep the spirit of this annual event alive beyond today, by ensuring that we remain one and indivisible.
The royal father, while expressing satisfaction at the fast rate of the acceptance and impacts of the annual day celebration which is just barely three years, said:
“Great people of Ipakodo Kingdom, once again, I am greatly delighted to address you on this momentous occasion of the 3rd Edition of Ipakodo Day Celebrations, our Annual Community-Wide celebrations.
“I must confess that, I am one of the luckiest monarchs, having being blessed with very supportive and cooperative subjects who are always eager to support any initiative that emanates from the palace, since l ascended the throne of my fore-fathers, six years ago.
“This year’s celebration bears glowing testimonies to the powers and possibilities that are inherent in meaningful collaborations by stakeholders in a community like ours. I have had cause to be accosted by some colleague royal fathers who found it very difficult to believe that this annual celebration is barely three years old. This always gives me joy and fulfillment. Thank you all for your support”, Sekumade said.
He appealed to sons and daughters of Ipakodo, corporate bodies and others on the need to continue to support the annual day and his kingdom.
The Odofin of Ikorodu and Chairman, Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited (IDPIL), Odofin Adewunmi Adedeji Ogunsanya who chaired the occasion, expressed his happiness for being part of this year’s celebration.
He disclosed that the IDPIL has been embarking on developmental projects in communities within the Ikorodu Division, except Isiwu and Ipakodo.
“We have been doing many developmental projects across Ikorodu Division, except Isiwu and Ipakodo, and Kabiyesi met Otunba Ganiyu Abiru and myself and told us what he wanted.
“We have decided to support Ipakodo with the reconstruction of the palace and work is starting this month on the construction of an ultra – modern palace.
“That is the present that we are here to give Ipakodo”, he said.
The Senator representing Lagos East, Senator Tokunbo Abiru who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, congratulated the Sekumade and entire people of Ipakodo, on the annual occasion.
Abiru, who said that he has close attachment with Ipakodo where his SAIL Lab is situated, expressed his happiness at rate of developments and peace among the Ipakodo people.
Earlier, Prince Olasunkanmi Sotonwa, Chairman, Ipakodo Development Association, welcoming the royal fathers, important dignitaries and residents to the event, said that the annual event serves as a means of showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ipakodo and bringing the community together.
“Through this annual event, we, as a community, have been able to showcase the rich and unique cultural heritage of our Kingdom, while also bringing all indigenes and residents of Ipakodo Kingdom together as one big family. This is without regard to tribe, creed, religion or social status”, he said.
Also at the grand finale event, post humous philanthropic and community service awards were conferred on Prince Tajudeen Adedapo Odofin, Founder of TAO Foundation, who, during his lifetime, had touched hundreds of lives through his philanthropic gestures, and Alhaji Musediq Oladega Alogba, the Baba Adinni of Ikorodu and Founder Chairman of Construction One Nigeria Limited, another great philanthropist who invested a large chunk of his personal funds towards providing scholarships and other educational support for many schools and students during his lifetime.
Similarly, a Special Pillar of Development Award was bestowed on Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, for his unprecedented contributions to the overall development of the entire Ikorodu Division communities, through the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative (IDPIL).
Among other dignitaries at the celebration were HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Prof. Kunle Ade Wahab, Prince Adio Jamiu Saka and Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Executive Secretary, lDPIL, among others.
