Kunle Adelabu
The Pro – Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife and erudite historian, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, FHSN, FNAL, has exhorted the people of Imota to prioritize the documentation of the kingdom’s history and important figures for easy access and development.
He also called on the people to, as a matter of importance, have a development strategy plan to guide the community’s development and posterity.
Prof. Oyeweso spoke at the lecture delivered in commemoration of 38th Imota Ayayo Day Celebration held at the N.S. Event Hall, Imota on Friday.
In his lecture, themed, “The Road To Imota: Reflections on Youth Participation in Politics and Community Development” he said the annual event is an opportunity for the people to celebrate themselves and its dynasty.
The Professor of history congratulating the people of Imota on the 2024 Ayayo Day described the event of the day as the celebration of the people and their traditions:
“Today’s event is a celebration of great people of Imota and Imota as one of the ancient Yoruba towns. It is also a celebration of the Ranodu Dynasty and the traditional institutions of the people of Imota.
“There is no doubt that the history of Imota is intricately intertwined with the history of Ijebu-Ode, as the Ranodu of Imota is acknowledged as one of the sons of Obaruwa or Arunwa or Ekewa-Olu of Ijebu-Ode. From the existing records, we are also aware that Ranodu is also closely associated with the Alaye-Ode of Ode-Remo, the Ewusi of Makun Kingdom (both in Remo Division) and the Osobia of Makun Onu in Ijebu waterside.
“Imota entered the modern phase of its development in 1951, with the coronation of Oba Albert Adesanya Adejo (Otherwise known as Kiniun Iga) as the Ranodu of Imota, and the first educated Oba of Imota (1951-1981), Oba Lawrence Adebola Oredoyin, second educated Oba Ranodu of Imota, 5th Senlu (1981–1993) and Oba Mudasiru Ajibade Bakare Agoro, third educated Oba Ranodu of Imota, 2nd Olufoweresete from 1993 to date”, he said
He commended the enterprising and the innovative skills of the people which have brought development to the community like the establishment of the CALEB University by Dr Oladega Adebogun.
While emphasising the importance of documentation of history and activities of individuals, Prof. Oyeweso charged that the ancient community should consider putting in place a committee to achieve the objective.
He explained that Imota should have its documentation group that would compile list of its élite class and eminent personalities and document their profiles.
According to Prof Oyeweso, “This is very important. You can call the group Imota Historical Documentation Group and give it necessary resources and it will become very useful.
Let’s start planning for how many lawyers, engineers, doctors and others we want to have in the next 10 to 20 years.”
He also called for a museum in Imota to document previous Ranodu(s) of Imota and the present one with their photographs made available in it. The museum he said will also house other important materials related to the ancient community.
He called for the location of the College of Agriculture of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) in Imota due to the presence of the largest rice mill in Africa and the agricultural nature of the environment.
Speaking on developmental plan for the community, Prof. Oyeweso, called on Imota to develop short-, medium- and long-term plans for its growth and development.
“These plans for Imota’s development can be for the next 20 to 30 year”, he said.
The Professor of History said that the rice mill established by the Lagos State Government, CALEB University and other landmark projects and establishment have put Imota on the path to greatness.
The guest lecturer was also of the opinion that Imota should institute scholarship scheme to assist brilliant students.
Hon. Wasiu Agoro, Chairman, Imota LCDA speaking at the occasion thanked the planning committee for sustaining the tradition and successes recorded so far.
In his royal remarks, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota described the guest lecturer as an encyclopedia on Yoruba history.
While welcoming the guest speaker and thanking him for honouring the community’s invitation, he also called on the students and youths to learn from the submissions of eminent personalities that have attained great height through education and be speaking with them.
The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Hamzat Olawale Amusa (HOMAT), also charged youths to focus on their studies to attain eminent positions and when they do, they should try to contribute to the development of their community that is investing in them.
He commended the Imota Ayayo Development Association for sustaining the annual festival and organizing developmental and educative initiatives.
Alhaji Amusa said that the ICT/CBT centre been constructed by the association will go a long way to assist in building youths as leaders.
In the panel session that discussed the topics of the lecture were Alhaji Fatai Lasisi, former Special Adviser on Taxation to former Governor of Lagos State; Comrade Olalekan Biliamin – Oba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State; Engr. Ibrahim Adigun, State NYCN Chairman and Barrister Ogunowo.
Other guests at the lecture were Prof. Ademola, Deputy Vice Chancellor, CALEB University; Hon. Sunday Benson, Vice Chairman, Imota LCDA; Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, former Member, Lagos State House of Assembly; Engr. Lai Adegbola, former Chairman, Ikorodu Resource Development Group (IDRDG); Chief Tajudeen Adegboyega Adekoya, Chief Executive Officer, ADMOS Hotel and Suites; Dr. Kunle Awolaja, Chairman, Imota Ayayo Development Association; Dr. Abiodun Okedeyi, Chairman, Imota Ayayo Day Planning Committee; Dr. Olumide Metilelu, Treasurer, Imota Ayayo Development Association and Mrs Bisoye Jimoh, an executive member of the Imota Ayayo Development Association.
