Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Longe get IKODASS honours
The Lagos State Government has commended the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) for awarding educational scholarships to 79 students in various public higher institutions.
Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, gave the commendation at the grand finale of the 2024 Ikorodu Oga Day Celebration held at the Ayangburen Palace Ground, Ikorodu at the weekend.
At the grand finale ceremony of this year’s celebration themed, “Ikorodu: Path to Progress”, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of Ikorodu Kingdom was honoured with the highest award – IKODASS Lifetime Community Outstanding Performance Award while Mr Abiodun Longe, FCA, was honoured with IKODASS Merit Award.
While commending the initiative of supporting youth to pursue education which he said would guarantee the future of any community and nation, Dr Hamzat called for the expansion of the scholarship to reach more students.
“I must commend the Ikorodu Oga Development Association for coming together to award scholarships to 79 indigent and non-indigent students of the Ikorodu community. I am very happy that Ikorodu Oga came together to do this.
“For me, this is most important to the future of our children. I want you to please expand it because this is our children and they are our future,” he said.
Dr Hamzat also enjoined IKODASS, ‘ Whatever you are doing to advance education of our children, please call all of us to assist in doing it. Let us enlarge the scholarship programme because it is not just for Ikorodu indigenes, but everybody. So we continue to be with you to assist our children.’
While speaking on the various developments and growth the Ikorodu community has experienced in the past years, Dr. Hamzat said that Ikorodu is a town that welcomes everybody, which is why it is prosperous, and its indigenous people have continued to develop the community.
He noted that Ikorodu as a kingdom takes a special place in the heart of the state government, urging the people to come together to support the King and government for a continued prosperous Lagos.
The Deputy Governor also described the two cabinet members in the state executive council – Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Dr Nurudeen Agbaje, the Special Adviser on Rural Development as good ambassadors and representatives of Ikorodu.
In his royal remarks, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi thanked the Deputy Governor for honouring Ikorodu’s invitation and reminded him of his request that the state government should help dualise Oriwu Road to link Ota – Ona Road in Ikorodu.
“I am now feeling the impact of the government in Ikorodu. Today, the deputy governor is also here, even though, Mr Governor is not.
“I remember when Mr Governor and his deputy first visited us in Ikorodu, it was during Ikorodu -Oga Festival and we prayed; they also gave us assurance that there is nothing we want in Ikorodu that they would not give us.
“I have reminded them what they have forgotten. The last time that the deputy governor came here, I told him and I want to repeat it publicly again now, that I want the government to dualise the road from Ojogbe – Ita-Elewa down to Oke Ota-Ona.
In appreciation, of the Deputy Governor’s presence the Ayangbure of Ikorodu called on the other Obas in Ikorodu Division that were present at the occasion to join him in presenting the Oga miniature statue to him.
Senator Tokunbo Abiru, also speaking said Ikorodu has been progressing under the Ayangbure whom he described as a committed and progressive leader.
Abiru, who was represented by Dr Saheed Ibikunle, the Permanent Member, Lagos State Universal Basic Board, also commended IKODASS under the leadership of Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, for living up to its name with its pursuit of progress and developments for Ikorodu.
Dr Ibikunle said that Ikorodu is developing because stakeholders have not left its progress to the government and representatives alone but have also been contributing their quota. He also pledged to continue to use his representation to develop Ikorodu and the entire Lagos East.
While welcoming the Deputy Governor of the state, Rep Babajimi Benson, said the festival is getting bigger by the year.
“I am so happy and I commend the organisers for the 33rd Ikorodu – Oga Day. This is phenomenonal. It is bigger than that of last year and I commend it.”
Hon Babajimi Benson thanked the Deputy Governor for attending the grand finale and acknowledged that he (Dr Hamzat) has always answered Ikorodu whenever he got called upon.
The three – term lawmaker again thanked Ikorodu residents for their support stating that “they worked and earned all the developments that they are witnessing.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, Ikorodu Oga Development Association, Mr. Rotimi Akeem Erogbogbo stated that the festival is not just about culture, but also about celebrating the progress the town has made and the height it has attained.
“This festival is not just about culture; it is about celebrating progress – progress we have made and the heights we aim to reach. Our journey invites us to think about what we leave behind, our time in transit, and our final destination.
“For us, what we leave behind is our history; the present is our transit point while the future is our goal.”
Erogbogbo congratulated Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN and Mr Abiodun Longer, FCA, on their awards and for their contributions and support for IKODASS and Ikorodu Division:
“Today, we celebrate those who have contributed remarkably to our community. Mr. Abiodun Longe, FCA, has been a quiet yet steadfast supporter of our Scholarship Scheme, funding and overseeing the education of many students. His dedication embodies the path to progress.
“High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of Ikorodu Kingdom, has left enduring marks in the annals of Ikorodu through his IDPIL/GTE interventions. Ikorodu is grateful for their service.
“These individuals remind us that progress is not about taking; it is about giving back. It is about supporting Ikorodu’s growth however and whenever we can”, he said.
At the celebration were His Royal Majesties, Oba Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba David Raji, the Eweye of Isiu, Oba Monsuru Oladega, Olu of Agboyi, Oba Segun Benson, Olojodu of Ojodu, Oba Sulaimon Bamgbade, Olofin of Isheri, Mr Bolaji Kayode Roberts, Commissioner for Local Government, Dr Nurudeen Agbaje, Special Adviser on Rural Development, Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye, Ikorodu Constituency I, Justice Oshodi, Sir David Sunmoni, Pro – Chancellor, LASU, Deaconess (Chief) Mrs Busola Isikalu, Iyaloja General, Ikorodu Division, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, the Asipa of Ikorodu, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Executive Secretary, IDPIL, Basorun Babatunde Rotinwa, Former Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Folashade Olabanji – Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government and Mrs O.O. Benson among others.
