Kunle Adelabu, Mariam Akinloye & Bolu Orebajo (SIWES Student)
Several years after the conception of a town hall for Igbogbo community in Ikorodu Division area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, joined by other eminent personalities flagged – off the construction of the structure with a ground breaking ceremony on Saturday.
The ceremony, which is part of the activities commemorating the 2024 Igbogbo Day Celebration, was also attended by residents in their large numbers.
The civic centre, which will be built on three acres of land along Offin/Oreta Road in Igbogbo, will have a hall of 1000 capacity with gallery; two (2) smaller halls with capacity of 250 guests each on the upper floor of the Hall and adequate number of conveniences for use of the guests. There will also be a three (3) bedroom Guests Chalet for VIPs and other important guests, while there is provision for open space which is an alternative option for clients that desire open ground for their functions and ample space to be used for parking lot for vehicles.
Sir (Dr.) Omotunde Ogunlaja, who doubled as the Chairman of the Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA) and that of the Civic Centre Project Implementation Committee, said that the occasion was a remarkable one.
“I am most delighted to welcome you to this landmark occasion in Igbogbo Kingdom.
“Today marks another remarkable history in Igbogbo kingdom, as we lay the foundation of an historical monument which our community has been dreaming of for over 30 years. Igbogbo Ultra-Modern Civic Centre, otherwise known as Igbogbo Town Hall, is a project that is very dear to us, and virtually all the Igbogbo Day Celebrations we held over the years have always centred on the construction of a befitting Community Town Hall.
“We thank God that our dream has finally come to reality with the foundation laying ceremony we are doing today to herald the commencement of this noble project”, he said.
While stating that the plans to have a town hall took a long time to commence, Dr Ogunlaja added that the land for the project was secured due to the efforts of the Adeboruwa and other stakeholders.
He added that the civic centre, when completed, would enhance the social and economic developments of Igbogbo.
“The community has witnessed long delay in having a befitting town hall due to unavoidable circumstances. I wish to say that land has been a major constraint to the efforts of the community in commencing this important project and other government projects which were proposed for our community.
“However, with the tireless efforts of our Alayeluwa and other stakeholders in Igbogbo, we finally got three (3) acres of land from Tolaram Group for the Civic Centre and other developmental projects that will enhance the welfare of our people and the development of our community.
“The foundation laying ceremony we are witnessing today, is the first phase. It symbolises our resolve and commitment to clear the doubts of members of the public about this project. The second level of the foundation laying ceremony will officially signifies the commencement of the construction of the Civic Centre.
“Our Alaiyeluwa, on Saturday 16th November, 2024, has inaugurated the Committee that will oversee the construction of this important project.
“The proposed Civic Centre, which pictures of various elevations have been presented, combines both aesthetic and functional values to meet the present and future needs of our community, members of the public and potential users’’, he said.
The project implementation chairman also thanked all those that contributed to the acquisition of the land for the project.
While also charging members of his committee on the need to committedly work towards ensuring that necessary resources are sourced and mobilized for the achievement of the project, Dr Omolaja also called for the support of government at various levels, corporate bodies, associations and individuals for the project.
“On this note, let me pay glowing tributes to all indigenes and non-indigenes that have played roles in the past towards the realisation of this project. I want to thank the Tolaram Group for the donation of the land to our community.
“The roles played by our Alayeluwa, HRM Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, and the Adeboruwa In-Council, are also highly commendable. Efforts of IDEA, Igbogbo indigenes in the Diaspora, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, youths and other Stakeholders, are well appreciated.
“To all the members of the Igbogbo Civic Centre Project Implementation Committee, I want to admonish you that there is work to be done to bring this project to fruition. All hands must be on deck to ensure the delivery of this important project to our community.
“Finally, for this type of Mega Project, enormous resources are required. I want to solicit for contributions and support of various levels of government, corporate entities, clubs, associations, and individuals for this project.
“The community needs your financial and moral support towards the actualisation of the Civic Centre. Your donations can also take the form of materials such as sand, granites, cements, irons etc. We assure you that all funds and materials donated will be judiciously used and accounted for”.
Also speaking, Mr Titilope Andu-Balogun, Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee 2021/24, said that with the ground breaking ceremony, the community is fulfilling a major dream of the living and late forebears of Igbogbo Kingdom.
“You are all welcome to this Press Conference of the 36th Igbogbo Day celebrations tagged,’TIWA N TIWA ( OUR HERITAGE)’.
“We are here to officially announce all the events line up for this year symbolic Igbogbo day celebrations. It’s symbolic because one of the aims and objectives of our living and late forefathers is being achieved today ( the foundation laying ceremony of Igbogbo Modern Civic Centre) on a 3 acres of land”.
He pledged that he and his team would be available whenever the community needs their services in the nearest future.
Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, while congratulating and rejoicing with the Adeborwua and the entire lgbogbo community on the ground breaking ceremony, also appealed for contributions and support of all kinds towards the completion of the Civic Centre.
He was represented by Mr Dawud Oshinlaja, the Supervisor for Tourism, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
In his royal remarks, HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, described the day as a very important day that every Igbogbo residents must rejoice in, because of the historical development.
He expressed his delight that Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, the former Head of Service (HoS), is present at the ground breaking ceremony.
He charged Prince Ogunlewe, Dr Ogunlaja, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola and other prominent sons and daughters of igbogbo, to assist in reaching out to the government and other individuals, corporate bodies that could assist the community in building the civic centre.
Other prominent personalities at the event were Odofin Tajudeen Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo, High Chief Odugbose, Otunba of Igbogbo, Chief (Mrs) Karimot Jokotade Ojikutu (Nee Idowu), Iyalode of Igbogbo, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, former Head of Service, Lagos State, Engr. Lateef Oduntan, General Secretary, IDEA, Mr Adewale Aiyegbogbon, executive member, planning committee, Alhaji Yahya Andu, Chief Imam Dhkrilahi Tanimose Andu, the Grand Chief Imam, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Imam Lookman, Chief Missioner, Ansar – Ud – Deen Igbogbo, Mr Sheriff Jinadu, Vice Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Mr Idris Adeshina, General Secretary, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Alhaji Ayokunle Sulaimon, Treasurer, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Mr Taofeek Ipaye, Financial Secretary, planning committee, Hon. Gbenga Oshin, fore Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr Adeleke Dankuwo, President, Igbogbo Youth Coalition, Alhaji Qudus Oduntan, General Secretary, APC Igbogbo/Bayeku LGA, Mr Babatunde Afuwape, Administrative Secretary, IDEA, Engr. Taofeek Kalejaiye, Technical Secretary, IDEA, Mr Gbenga Oduniyi, former President, Igbogbo Youth Coalition and Financial Secretary, IDEA, Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun, Sen. Francis Mani Shonubi, Mr Hameed Sholanke, Comrade Abdulsalam Tijani, President, Igbogbo Students’ Union and Comrade Balogun Lateef (Olohunwa), speaker, Igbogbo Students’ Union, My Olabode Oyesanya, Secretary, BOT Achievers’ Crew, traditional chiefs, community leaders among others.
